Japanese Mafia Headquarters...I take a look!

So here’s the deal. I am coming near the end of my training for Osaka Marathon 2012 on November 25^th.  With just a few weeks left I need to make some rather lengthy long runs. Most runners, when preparing for a full marathon run a very long run every weekend. That long run builds stamina and gets your body used to being pushed for several hours. The great thing about long runs is that you can explore large parts of the city you live in. I have been from one end of Kobe to the other, but decided something a little new for this morning’s 31km (20 mile) run. I wanted to make it a “destination” run so to speak.

I decided that I would check out the compound that is the headquarters of the Yamaguchi-gumi. The Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest organized crime syndicate in Japan and is what is known as the yakuza.

Many Japanese people had told me where I could find their compound. I suppose it is pretty common knowledge amongst residents of Kobe. It only took me about five minutes doing Google searches to find the exact location last night. I realized that I had run very close to it on several occasions in the past.

Early this morning I ran to the area it is located and walked down the street it is on, snapped a few pictures and made a quick video.

It was exhilarating walking down that side street in a quiet area of Kobe. I probably won’t go there again, but it was cool to do once.

I then continued with my run.

Didn't want to hang around long, but was able to make a silly face in front of the HQ's entrance!

The compound is surrounded by a high wall and thick trees. There are also cameras all over the place!

Osaka Sumo Blues

Disappointment is definitely a word that comes to mind when I found out that the March Sumo tournament in Osaka was to be canceled amid the match fixing scandal here in Japan. Sumo is the ancient Japanese sport that pits two wrestlers against each other. There have always been suspicions that the sport had been filled with rigged fights and other shady dealings, but it recently came to light that these suspicions were a reality.

Last year there was a baseball betting scandal involving several wrestlers who were betting on games with the help of yakuza members. One top ranked ozeki, Kotomitsuki was even banned from fighting for life because of his involvement. During that investigation police seized several sumo wrestler's mobile phones. On their phones they found text messages where wrestlers were planning to throw their fights.

I am not by any means a die-hard fan of the sport, but I do enjoy watching it when it is on television. Last year I went to the Osaka tournament on a Sunday with one of my friends. I had a great time seeing the massive wrestlers live, having beer and the general atmosphere of the day. This year, I was hoping to go again, but with my family. We were thinking about getting a family box so I could sit with my wife, son and in laws. That is why I am disappointed.


A picture I took at last year's Osaka Sumo Basho (tournament).

I was looking forward to a great first time sumo family outing. Apparently my in laws, who are from Osaka have never been to live sumo. Now there is even talk of the remainder of 2011 sumo tournaments being cancelled. I suppose we’ll just have to see. It would have been a great family event, but it looks like I’ll have to wait until next year!

Here is a video about the Osaka Tournament cancellation by a very knowledgeable sumo fan. JasonInJapan AKA myargonauts is a popular You Tube vlogger who vlogs about Japan and Sumo:





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