Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese Episode 3

Description: On the last leg of his trip to Japan Justin is back in Tokyo with the intention of spending a few days living like a native. The sprawling city is the most densely populated metropolitan area on Earth with 35 million individuals jostling for space. Justins week begins just before eight in the morning on the subway which many Japanese salarymen and women squeeze onto at some point during the average 60-hour working week. Justin finds the journey hot stressful and bewildering. At every stop more and more people squeeze wordlessly on but few get off.Justins painful journey leads him to a viewing at one of the citys famously tiny flats. It would ultimately drive me crazy he says shaking his head as he looks around the miniature two-room apartment. After grabbing a meal of hotdog and fries from a nearby vending machine Justin heads to a capsule hotel where 25 buys customers the chance to sleep in a space little bigger than a coffin for the night. Its not really the city of choice for the claustrophobe Justin remarks as he attempts to squeeze into his cubbyhole.With all the stress going to his head Justin decides to cut loose and take a break away from the city for a few days. Im out of sync with Tokyo he complains. Ive not fallen in love with it so far.Justins destination is the city of Hakodate on the countrys northernmost island a popular holiday retreat for Tokyos busy workers. Justin and translator Mai check into a traditional Japanese inn where they promptly settle down for a nine-course meal. Squeamish Justin picks gingerly at each course but he reaches the boundaries of his comfort zone when a large hairy crab arrives on the table.The next morning has more fishy surprises in store for Justin. Squid sashimi is a famous local delicacyand at the market delighted customers fish for their own specimens in a giant tank. However Justin remains resolutely unconvinced that he will enjoy this culinary experience. Dont look at me he yelps as he reels in his dinner. Hes got a big face Justin explains to a mystified Mai.With the squid safely netted a sweet-looking local lady steps in to chop it up and serves it to Justin on a plate but he is horrified when he realises that the tentacles are twitching. Im not putting anything thats still moving in my mouth he insists. Can Mai convince him to sample this apparently delicious local dish?After his relaxing few days in Hakodate Justin returns to Tokyo to visit the woods that become the final resting place for many Japanese people who find the high-pressured lifestyle unbearable. Aokigahara forest which lies just outside the city in the shadow of Mount Fuji has become a notorious suicide spot in recent years.Justins guide estimates that at least 350 people each year kill themselves beneath the dense canopy of trees. If you die here your body wont be found. Thats the most important thing he says explaining how suicide is considered shameful in Japanese culture. Part of the guides job is to identify potentially suicidal visitors but he admits that he is ultimately powerless to stop anyone with a death wish. There is nothing we can do for those who have made up their minds he admits sadly before darting off in