Category Archive for Nightcrawling
FETISH BDSM BAR IN TOKYO, JAPAN: GUINEA PIG. STRANGEST, WEIRDEST GOTH BARS IN KABUKI-CHO, SHINJUKU.
A writhing snake, spooky Asian girls and metal chains… What’s this — a haunted house? A Torture Garden of Good and Evil?
Welcome to Guinea Pig, a BDSM fetish bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Where disturbing, bloody videos play on the big screen TV…
Where the decoration consists of guro-baby mannequins, decapitated heads and horror art…
And where the owner is super-genki and fabulous! Only in Japan, right?
After we left the metal bar with the Nazi outfit on the wall, I took the Australian TV crew to Guinea Pig. Tim had no qualms about wrapping the resident pet snake around his hands — and letting it kiss him on the lips.
If you’re read my Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo book, then you’re familiar with this juxtaposition by now: horrifying, kitschy and kawaii (cute), all on the same shelf.
I’m not sure I’d hire this interior decorator to spruce up my apartment.
However, the special grapefruit cocktails and jasmine chu-his are delightful. And the crowd in this small bar is always friendly, with a wicked sense of humor.
The bathroom is covered in horror B-movie posters.
No comment…
Address: 東京都新宿区歌舞伎町２－４１－３. Shinjuku, Kabukicho, 2-41-3, third floor.
It’s a little hard to find Guinea Pig… From the Kabuki-cho koban (police box), walk north until you reach the playground under construction. Guinea Pig is in a building on the right, filled with small bars and fronted with a white winding staircase.
Have you ever been to a fetish / S&M bar? What’s the weirdest drinking establishment you’ve ever visited?
Japanese Word of the Day: Enjo-kōsai / Enko = Compensated dating in Japan
Song of the Day: Szirota Dzsenifer – One Night Only (from Hungarian X Factor)
SHARE & COMMENT
SHINJUKU HOST CLUBS. AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL TV SHOW VISITS GOLDEN GAI, PUNK ROCK & VISUAL KEI BARS KABUKO-CHO.
Right! Ready for some bonzer photos from the Australian TV shoot? I met the Aussie travel hosts at Don Quixote in Shinjuku. I strive to always mix it up; never repeat your looks. So I wore something Candy Spooky Theater inspired…
Cyber Wa dress: Ozz On, from Closet Child. Such a unique design; it mixes a traditional Japanese print with gauze and lacing. The corset top is hooked onto the skirt. I wore a black lace lingerie tank top under.
Flower hair clips: from Daiso, the 100 yen store
Ring: a gift from a while back.
Cute fat cat necklace: gifted from Cheeky Jezebel, creators of adorable jewelry. I also wear their accessories in this outfit post.
Makeup: I did a cat eye with black liquid eyeliner, and put long spider-like eyelashes on my bottom lids.
I was the Tokyo guide for The Two Tims: a pair from Australia (both named Tim). They’re currently on a trip around the world, capturing material for their upcoming TV show produced by Sony Australia. I’ll let you know when the Tokyo episode airs (probably next year).
The Tims wanted me to show them Tokyo’s underground scene. After some “establishing shots” and an intro, I took them to Bar Zin, the Visual Kei bar in Kabuki-cho. The Nazi uniform on the wall was quite the shocker to them! I explained that in Japan, fashion and imagery are (for the most part) purely Visual and have no socio-political significance… remember Gackt’s Nazi-like uniform at his recent concert?
This evil lair serves absinthe, and is covered in skulls and Jrock memorabilia. You can see more of Bar Zin in our video tour.
I decided that this joint wasn’t extreme enough. So I took the Australians to Guinea Pig, a fetish bloody horror bar… I’ll have a full post of photos coming up! As you can see from the camera shots, there was a thrilling moment with a live snake.
TV filming can be exhausting because we’re always “on” and moving from place to place. Next, we met shibari (rope tying) artist Hajime Kinoko. The Tims had never been to Tokyo and were mesmerized. Bright lights, big city.
We went to a few little Golden Gai bars (the famous traditional Shinjuku drinking district, near Hanazono Shrine). Met up with The Fashionate Traveller at a rip-roaring punk bar run by a Japanese “Mr T.”
I have more photos and stories from the travel TV shoot coming up… stay tuned for the Japan Cosplay Festival and Seileen’s record release party!
LA friends: you have exciting events ahead of you!
† Friday, Oct 15: New Noir presents Tokyo Social Club, a party at Royal/T maid cafe. Ping-Pong, DJs, a special “Num Num” menu, and cake. (Tickets are 20% off with discount code PINKO, and Naomi will be there!)
† Friday, Oct 15: celebrate the 14th anniversary of Das Bunker, LA’s terrific Industrial dance club. Tactical Sekt will be performing. See nightcrawling photos here.
† Thursday, Oct 28: Tune in Tokyo has its 2nd Anniversary Jrock Live, featuring Mari Iijima, Dig Jelly, Stephanie Yanez and Po Lo, Do Not Feed the DJ, and Asuka & Alee. Here’s info and photos from the Purikura party I hosted.
Absolute last chance to win a gold, customized Pirate necklace! You and I will be the only people on the planet with the Jolly Roger jewelry… so please enter in this post (it only takes a moment).
Finally, may I ask for a 1-second favor? Could you please vote for my blog in the Canadian Weblog Awards? Just click here. In return, I’ll get these host boys to sing you a love song!
Japanese Word of the Day: Iikagen = Irresponsible
Song of the Day: MUCC – Rojiura boku to kimi e
LA CARMINA
