Pachinko Dream

Pachinko Dream is actually the name of one of the local parlors. They all have names like Dream, Sepia, King, Emperor, Wish... The one I went to was called TARZAN. Somehow appropriate. For better or worse, I only got an hours worth of the game under my belt. I could have gone for more, but I'd already blown $40 of someone else's money and I think it was agreed I am bad luck. I tried to use some of my own money to play a little longer, but it wasn't going to happen.

The experience did change my perception of the game (or hobby or addiction depending on your take) quite a bit. It seems like even if you never win, and I don't know why you'd keep going if you didn't occasionally, you're probably not spending that much more money than any of the other ridiculous Japanese recreational activity. Plus it has an upside that none of the others can really offer: SOLITUDE. Coincidentally I was reading the book "Japanland" that Colleen's mom sent us and in it the author talks to some pachinko players at one point. They sum it up pretty well: "Pachinko is nothing. No stress. No thought. No responsibilities... The pachinko parlor is the only place where you can be yourself." Pretty hard to argue with that, especially in a society like this.