Home and Sports is Where the Heart is by Alonzo Mori

Tokyo is a large city that is bustling around the clock with people moving non-stop. At times, it seems like people are simply too busy to acknowledge each other. On the morning trains, you’ll find many people glued to their phones, tending to their own worlds. And on the streets, you’ll note that people like to keep to themselves and not even glance towards your direction (even if you are a foreigner). Perhaps these are mere tendencies of Japanese society. However, there are many groups and small communities

Home

and Sports is Where the

Heart is Alonzo Mori (Chiba)

first couple of months of teaching, I was having an amazing time. And outside of work, I would go to my local gym to exercise with some of the locals and eventually befriend several of them. Even though I enjoyed going to the gym on a regular basis, I yearned to find a place to play basketball in Ichihara. Although there were many basketball courts in town, I wanted to find a place where I could play basketball indoors. Unfortunately, I had a difficult in this city that have formed in order to assist those dealing with the challenges Japanese society has brought upon them. Luckily for me, I was able to find my home in one of these groups. But before I get into that, let me tell you about my experience living in Japan before I found this group. It’s hard to believe that I came to Japan a little over four years ago. I remember when I first got off the plane at Narita Airport, I was greeted by my friend who was living in Tokyo at the time. We exchanged pleasantries and caught up with each other naturally as we’ve known each other since high school. When I initially came to Japan, I was living in a city called Ichihara in Chiba Prefecture. When I settled into my new home, I was excited to start my new life in Japan as an English teacher at a local junior high school. Although it was a challenge for me to teach English in a classroom setting, it was rewarding being able to help students learn English. During my

time finding an indoor basketball facility where I could play on a weekly basis. I remember feeling bummed out at the time and wondering if I would ever be able to find a place. But feeling determined one day, I went on my laptop during my break and googled “indoor basketball in Tokyo.” The very first website that popped up on the search engine was “Tokyo Gaijins Basketball Club.” When I clicked on the link and read more about the club, I realized that I had found the perfect place. There was one problem, however: the facility was located in Tokyo, which was about an hour train ride from my place in Chiba. Although it was a long commute, I decided to go to every single session because I simply loved the game of basketball that much. At these basketball sessions, I befriended many people from all around the world. The people I met were very welcoming and open, which was also a plus. At one of the very first basketball sessions that I attended, I managed to meet one of my closest friends in Japan. I don’t quite remember the exact moment as to when we met. But I remember that we took a liking to each other since we shared similar interests in sports such as basketball and soccer. We became such close friends that in fact, we went on a vacation together to Hawaii. Although we do not see each other often as much as we used to since both of us are so busy, we still stay in touch via LINE. One day, one of the organizers at the basketball session asked me if I would be interested in organizing basketball sessions in the future for the Tokyo Gaijins. Without hesitation, I was more than happy to accept the offer. Little did I know, the Tokyo Gaijins also organized volleyball sessions as well as many other outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, rafting, snowboarding/ski trips, etc. During my first year in Japan, I joined many of these trips and went on so many awesome adventures with some great company. I consider myself to be quite fortunate to have been able to find Tokyo Gaijins and, in a sense, my home away from home in Japan. Before I found this group, I would sometimes go through phases of homesickness and loneliness. Although it was great to meet and befriend many different Japanese people in my town, I would miss the interactions that I would have with other foreigners that look, well, like me. All in all, I feel like joining Tokyo Gaijins allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and helped accelerate my growth as a person. Ever since joining the group, I have been able to meet so many different people from all around the world and be a part of many memorable experiences. The friendships and the bonds that I’ve been able to make in this group are some of the things that I will always take with me and hold onto for the rest of my life and I am truly grateful that I am able to be part of it. So, if you want to make friends, meet new people, and enjoy the outdoors; come join us whenever you get the chance! Hope to see you around!

Although it was great to meet and befriend many different Japanese people in my town, I would miss the interactions that I would have with other foreigners that look, well, like me. All in all, I feel like joining Tokyo Gaijins allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and helped accelerate my growth as a person.

Ever since joining the group, I have been able to meet so many different people from all around the world and be a part of many memorable experiences. The friendships and the bonds that I’ve been able to make in this group are some of the things that I will always take with me and hold onto for the rest of my life and I am truly grateful that I am able to be part of it. So, if you want to make friends, meet new people, and enjoy the outdoors; come join us whenever you get the chance! Hope to see you around!

Alonzo Mori is a freelancer who has worked as an English teacher and Event Organizer in Japan for the last four years. During his free time, he performs hip hop music in various bars and clubs in the Tokyo area. He also has a YouTube channel.