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Stop me if you’ve heard this one.

Like us, the city wants to take a holiday sometimes.

Just like an office worker pulling overtime shifts or a student studying hard on a Sunday night instead of kicking back and watching Sazae-san before school resumes the next morning.

But, of course, as long as there are people, a city doesn’t have time to sleep.

Still, there are times the city gets to relax.

But every day off isn’t just about lying in bed past noon, is it?

The city likes to watch the people walking its streets and toys with them.

That’s how the city enjoys its days off.

Let’s take Ikebukuro, for instance. If you get wrapped up in something odd…

Just assume that the city is toying with you.

And if you can do that…

Try to play along.

—Excerpt from the afterword of Shinichi Tsukumoya, author of Media Wax’s Ikebukuro travel guide, Ikebukuro Strikes Back