A Day In The Life Of A Rickshaw Driver
Tokyo Weekender|August 2017

We Chat With a Veteran Shafu About the Best, Worst – and Weirdest – Parts of the Job

Lisa Wallin
A Day In The Life Of A Rickshaw Driver

The rickshaw driver: a common sight around Asakusa and yet what do we know about them, other than they seem really fit? To learn more, we spent a morning with Reiji Kimura, who’s a veteran shafu (rickshaw driver) by day, and a metal band drummer by night.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

It depends on the company you work for, but I can set my own schedule. I try to start as early as I can, especially on weekends and holidays as it increases the chance of getting more customers. If I go out drinking the night before I may start later the following day. [Laughs] Basically, if I’ve earned enough to reach my goal for the day, I head home. Sometimes it only takes two hours of work in the morning and I’m done! On an average day, though, I’d say I take up to three to four rides, with the most in one day being 10. On bad days, though, I’ll only get one ride the whole day. The worst-case scenario – which has happened once – I’ve gone home with no rides and nothing to show for it. That was the worst.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS JOB?

この記事は Tokyo Weekender の August 2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Tokyo Weekender の August 2017 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

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