Hisao’s Apartment

I spent a lot of time in Yoyogi Park in Tokyo but somehow never noticed Hisao, which basically means I was an oblivious asshole. He was the guy everyone said was the happiest homeless man in the park—always smiling, always had some story about his luxury apartment. In his head that place was real. In reality he was getting drunk on Sake and selling tourist junk at the flea market next door, but he never lost that smile. Old guy with actual style, even with nothing.

There’s something about someone that broken who shows up with a grin on his face every single day. Not performing it for anyone, not making some philosophical point about contentment. Just genuinely okay with his fake apartment and his Sake and whatever else makes the day work. That kind of thing stays with you.

Next time I’m in Tokyo I’m going to find him and get drunk with him. Hear all about his place. That’s non-negotiable.