The article contrasts two different environments at a train station in Tokyo—one side is orderly and commercial, while the other is a labyrinth of unique streets leading to unexpected discoveries. The author describes the enchanting experience of encountering the Woodworker, an anonymous figure crafting whimsical wooden dioramas powered by solar energy, which encapsulates the charming eccentricity found in local neighborhoods. Through personal anecdotes about past visitors, the piece highlights how unplanned interactions in Tokyo leave lasting impressions, emphasizing the city's appeal for those who wander off the beaten path.
The train station closest to my house has a split personality. Exit north and you've got an orderly bus lottery, tidy streets of chain stores, and the ever present Starbucks.
It was idly wandering these alleys that I discovered the Woodworker. That's not his real name, of course. We've never met. In fact, in 10 years I've only seen him a handful of times.
Over 20 years of living here, I've often had friends and family visit. We make the rounds of the usual tourist sites, which they find duly impressive.
Tokyo rewards the flaneur. Maybe because so much humanity is packed into a relatively small space. Maybe because there's some cultural inclination towards making an idiosyncratic mark on one's little corner.
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