– I imagine you must have to go to various places for work, but do you enjoy travelling?
[Travelling, well, it’s fun once I get going, but sometimes I’d rather stay home. If someone else handles the arrangements perfectly so that all I have to do is go, then I’m happy to. I’m not the type to decide where I want to go and actively travel on my own.]

– And so, you must not take many trips on your private time.
[Guess not. I’ve rarely ever taken any private trips, either within the country or overseas. But in this line of work, I travel around the whole country for tours and campaigns, so there’s that. And then once in a while, I’ll go to an onsen (1). The only place I’ve travelled to on my own time is New York. I’ve been there several times for work too (laughs), but well, to a certain extent it’s because I wanted to go. But that was about four years ago, now. Even though it was a private trip, I had the manager buy my tickets for me.]

– Don’t you think you’d like to try planning a trip of your own?
[No way. It’s such a pain (laughs). See, ever since I was in my early twenties I’ve had a manager in my life. There are some normal things normal people can do alone that I can’t do. I have no idea how to reserve a hotel room or how to buy air plane tickets.]

– What about when you were a child? Did your parents ever take you on any trips?
[No, they didn’t. We hardly had any family trips. Even when we did, it was mostly just day trips.]

– Then, what about field trips? Did you like going on trips and school events?
[Hmm, not really. I didn’t really like them, but I didn’t hate them either.]

– Then you’ve never thought deeply about travel, have you?
[Hmm, well, you know, I get tired. From moving. Though I like being overseas. I don’t hate air planes. I rather like seeing so many movies on air planes. As for packing…… Well, getting ready is a pain, isn’t it?]

– Is New York the place abroad where you’ve been the most often?
[Yeah, I’ve been to New York over ten times. Generally, I always go to the same places when I’m there.]

– What kinds of places?
[There’s a cafe I like. It’s got quite a jumbled up feel to it. Sort of an old downtown feel. It’s open 24 hours, and they serve decent meals, too. And they say the innermost table on the right side is haunted (laughs).]

– Eeh! Everyone says that?
[Yeah, the employees say it. But it’s not that scary, it’s nothing to worry about.]

– Do you ever feel a strange presence there?
[No, I’ve never felt anything like that.]

– I see. Is there something you always order from that cafe?
[Hmm, all sorts of stuff. More than the food, I like that place, and I always go so it’s like I might as well keep on going there. Oh, and I go to a store that sells movie posters. I liked one of the guys who worked there. He gave me extra stuff. He asked me “Do you play music or something?” and I answered “Yeah, I do,” so he said “Then let me hear some.” I was going back to Japan the next day or something, so I said “I’ll be back in New York in about two or three weeks, I’ll bring some for you then.” Then when I went to that store again, I gave him a CD. I think it must have been HEAVEN’S DRIVE. I haven’t gone back since then, though.]

– Were you speaking English in that store?
[Nah, it was Japanese. I can’t speak English at all. I said “‘scuze me~” or something like that.]

– And you were answered in Japanese?
[He answered me in Japanese. When you say “‘scuze me” like that, a staff member goes over to you.]

– (laughs) That cafe you spoke of earlier, it must be different from the ones you go to in Japan, tetsu-san.
[It is different. If it was in Japan, you’d expect to find this kind of place in Shimokitazawa or something. When I’m in Japan, I like spots like Daikanyama (2) with that little touch of refinement. I prefer cafes that are simple, with modern or mid-century furniture to the ones that are just scrambled up, though.]

– Why do you go somewhere that reminds you of Shimokitazawa when you’re in New York?
[Nah, I don’t actually dislike the scrambled sort of places. When there’s no one around who knows me, it’s peaceful. In Tokyo, I have to wear a hat and sunglasses or else I can’t really go out. So yeah, I dress so that no one will recognize me. Overseas, I can walk around peacefully without a care. In that sense, it’s nice to go abroad.]

1. Onsen, usually translated as hot springs, are naturally occurring outdoor sources of hot water, usually due to volcanism. Go back.

2. Shimokitazawa is a Tokyo neighbourhood that is extremely trendy, known for its artistic atmosphere and nightlife. Daikanyama is known for fashion and has many designer boutiques. Both areas are home to many cafes.Go back.