Always walk the ippon uras

That’s not a typo, “ippon uras,” but colloquial Japanese.

In this case, it means the “one-roads-behind,” referring to the back roads that run parallel to the main roads in most Japanese cities.

And, while we’re on it, sorry for a second non-English subject line in as many weeks. (Here’s the first.) I find nothing more fascinating and invigorating than expressions and ideas contained in other languages.

But I digress.

This concept comes from Craig Mod, who is currently walking “the full length of “Tokyo” … in order to feel the gradients of life and landscape from edge to edge.”

(Even though it’s Day 4 of 7 as I write this, I still recommend signing up for the free, pop-up newsletter covering said walk.)

The quote that jumped out at me as a great default way of being/thinking (and, I realize, which I’ve written on, conceptually, as well) is this:

“…always walk the ippon uras — the one-roads-behind — where the din of city loudness is replaced by the sounds of lives being lived: splashing baths, classical music on radios, screeching children, gentle evening newscasts.”

I fully subscribe to this. Not the main thing, the thing behind that thing.

I think this is what I most liked about Airbnb vs. hotels. You get a little slice of life in that town, as lived by those who live there.

And it’s why I believe in the value of writing and sharing personally online in support of your business, your main thing.

From the back road,
James

P.S. Here’s the actual ippon ura near the apartment in Nagoya, where Kayte and I lived from Feb 2008 to Apr 2011.