the new tribe

They're everywhere, girls and boys in high-tech mountain gear and marathon pressure tights, hanging out in the streets of Tokyo. No one buys just "regular clothes" anymore. Something you put on your body must be "functional" and also mountains and nature are cool as opposed to crowded and foul smelling streets of Shibuya or Harajuku. They enjoy picnics in the park (cheap recreation in this age of bad economy and deflation) and "light" nature activity such as outdoor music festivals with friends. They're the new tribe in this country, the "casual outdoor tribe." Fully geared and prepared for the next big Kanto (eastern Japan) earthquake that is said to strike any minute now.....this is the age of survival, and people are starting to dress to meet their needs, psychological needs, at least for now.