KyleG- I feel you, it can be hard to make friends. Super easy to make acquaintances, but harder to make relatable friends. And even harder to make really good friends, I know of only one example of a foreigner who has a Japanese best friend.
Disclosed- I’ve had a similar experience as you. By the way, where are you?
SLAPSONIC- I’ve been out once or twice a week since snowboard season ended. The rainy season hasn’t been to bad here, had some free dry mornings here in Nagano.
Where is everyone? I’m thinking about trying to head down to Tachikawa or ShinYokohama this weekend for a change of scenery (if the weather is ok)
Anyone around?
@KyleGIt can be challenging to meet folks here. All really depends on the circumstances. I’ve made friends through coworkers, friends, acquaintances, or just by going to skate shops. It’s great to know folks, but personally, I was basically a solo skater for a while before moving to Japan since most of the friends I grew up skating with “had grown out of it” by that point as people tend to do. So after moving to Japan I just continued doing that.
@disclosedI’ve also found skaters and people in general to be surprisingly open at times. A lot of the older heads grew up with the skate “tribe/community” vibe that used to be so prevalent in skating so they’re often really welcoming, and many of the younger heads learn from them so it’s carried over (the whole senpai/kohai culture).
@SLAPSONIC I try to skate as regularly as possible, year round, but it has been much easier since the weather has warmed up. Unfortunately though, it's the rainy season...so...if the stars align and I have the time/energy and it's dry... Overdid it about a week ago though and my old man knees got sore...So rather than push through it like I would have done a few years ago, I decided to listen to my body and chill out for a bit. Don't want to blow my load so early for the summer, you feel me?
@cucktard I think we've chatted back and forth about this on another thread (bearings maybe?) but I'm in Tokyo. At the moment, resting up so I don't get laid out for the entire summer before it even starts. (fingers and toes crossed, knocking on wood). When are you thinking of heading into "civilization?"