Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
Stroll in Shinjuku: Tokyo locals & city life. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Evangelion, Ghost in the Shell.
And now, for something a little different: a walking tour of Shinjuku, Tokyo.
I’ve been trying to up my photography game in 2014, and there’s no better way to practice than by walking around a city and taking impromptu photos. I hope you enjoy these little slices of Japanese life, seen through my camera lens.
There is so much you can learn about Japanese culture and its unique quirks through a walking tour, especially in a fascinating district such as Shinjuku. If you are looking for walking tours or other tours from Tokyo options, you can find out more about these tours as well as useful information for planning a Japan trip on Tourist Japan.
Here’s a typical sight by Shinjuku subway station: commuters waiting at the entrance gates for their friends. Most pass the time by staring at their cell phones, like this girl in a cute pom-pom hat.
As you may know, nobody steals in Japan. Cyclists leave their bikes on the side of the road, unlocked. This officer is merely lining up the bicycles so that they don’t interfere with pedestrians on the sidewalk.
There simply isn’t a culture of stealing (people usually get their wallets back when they lose them). And punishments are so harsh for petty theft that it isn’t worth the attempt.
Sometimes, it seems the main job of police officers is to wave traffic along, and help befuddled foreigners find their way!
Near the West exit, I spotted an Evangelion pop up store. Do you know the names of these anime characters?
Towering above the East exit: a giant Ghost in the Shell poster. Anime and manga are ubiquitous here.
Harajuku pop queen Kyary Pamyu Pamyu remains popular. She models glasses and tentacle-like hair for A-Look Eyewear.
More metal bicycles on Shinjuku Dori. This is the road that leads to Marui Annex, the current home of Goth Loli Punk alt fashions.
You’ll always see trucks decorated with striking ads, driving around the busiest streets.
The graphics are eye-catching and frequently feature “kawaii” characters.
How can you resist staring into the eyes of this doll-like girl?
Ad trucks also blast music and showcase the new releases of major artists.
Singer-songwriter Daigo had his face plastered on this one.
Small dogs are easier to house in cramped apartments, so many Japanese prefer them to large ones. In a trendy cafe, a couple was eating lunch with their little brown toy dog, dressed in a shirt.
Love this stern sign, featuring a man’s eyes done in Kabuki makeup.
Three stylish Japanese guys, captured in a moment of laughter.
Don’t forget to look down. Many of Tokyo’s manhole covers are decorated with art. This one is a sakura flower or white cherry blossom.
When it gets dark, Kabukicho (the host club and entertainment district) glows with neon letters and lights.
Rainbow reflections from a motorcycle, parked in front of Don Quixote (the inexpensive general goods store).
This rearview reflection captures the crowds, colors and craziness that are uniquely Shinjuku.
Near the subway station, various bands perform and cell CDs, often within meters of each other. This rainbow haired Visual Kei musician sang in the most remarkable opera-meets-atonal voice.
Shinjuku is perfectly safe at night, so I encourage you to stroll around, and take photos of the magic.
What do you think of this travel feature? Would you like to see more posts like this?
PS: I’m currently in Toronto, and loving the scene here. There are previews of my alternative travels on my social networks (@lacarmina, linked in the right sidebar if you want to follow).
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Tokyo Decadance Bar at Christon Cafe Shinjuku. Pole dancing Goths & pride parade!
Ohohoho! You’ve landed in Tokyo Decadance Bar — one of the favorite hangouts of Tokyo’s alternative, Goth and Cyber club kids. If you’re visiting the city, you must stop here for the absinthe and strange performances.
Enjoy photos from my previous two trips to “Decabar,” featuring the infamous Preta Porco in his signature yellow face paint.
Address of Tokyo Decabar: 東京都新宿区新宿5-17-13 or 5-17-13 Shinjuku, Oriental Wave Building 8F/9F
Directions: From Shinjuku East Exit, walk towards Studio Alta and Don Quixote. Take a right on this main street (Yasakuni Dori) and keep walking. Christon Cafe is on the left side of the street, right above the Lawson and before the parking lot buildings. Ride the elevator up to the 8th floor (Christon Cafe theme restaurant) and walk up the stairs to Decadance Bar.
The club space is small but laid back, and decorated in neon paint. The fashion is consistently fabulous, as Yukiro Dravarious, in one of his many guises, demonstrates. (He’s performing April 27 at Tokyo Pride; keep reading for details!)
On “Porco Night,” the spotlight shines on yellow-faced bartender Preta Porco. Mistress Maya also holds a regular “Snack Mayaya” event, where she helms a snack bar and does rope-tyling demonstrations.
On any given night, I’ll run into friends here. On the left, you may recognize Sophia, an impressive vocalist who recently debuted her solo project, “Season of Ghosts.”
Owner Adrien Le Danois (in the blue hair) welcomes guests to his lair. You’ll see lots of cosplay girls and colorful street style on the dance floor. Many of the people who come here speak English and French, so you’ll be able to strike up conversations even if you don’t know Japanese.
Porco’s scintillating smile will immediately put you in the mood to party. (My hair is pink because these photos are from last spring.)
The drinks flow… and the shenanigans begin. I always order the absinthe at Decadance Bar.
The space is decorated like a Day Glo carnival, and the staff dresses the part in wigs and glitter.
Between DJ sets, underground performers strut their stuff. Everyone smiled at this 1980s dance routine, peppered with pole-dancing.
Porco squealed and twirled on a pole. I have no words.
On any given evening, you’ll encounter a theme event or bizarre performance. (Photography by Naomi – check out her latest illustrations!)
If it’s your birthday, beware: the drag queens sit on you and chant the “nonde nonde” drinking song.
The special DJs played a bouncing, techno-electric mix. You can tell that everyone was having fun.
I returned to Tokyo Decadance Bar last December. It was “Sex Pot Night,” meaning there were events both in the upstairs bar and downstairs restaurant (Christon Cafe).
Similar to Alamode Market, there were handmade Gothic Lolita accessories for sale at tables.
A striking back tattoo with hearts and wings, on this barely clad Japanese lady.
As you know from my Theme Restaurants book, Christon is bizarrely decorated with church relics, like chandeliers and altars.
This makes it a haunting (and slightly kitschy) atmosphere for a Goth alternative party. The big Tokyo Decadance parties, which take place every 1-2 months, are usually held at Christon Shinjuku.
That night, the area near the lower staircase was filled with tables. Vendors sold oddities like scorpions preserved in jars.
It’s a great place to pick up one of a kind Gothic accessories like these hand-studded chokers.
Or get a glitter tattoo, from a not-so-Barbie girl.
If you get tired of shopping, then there’s plenty of singing, dancing, performances and other entertainment in the room.
I saw a slightly incongruous performance by a group of women dressed as mistresses, in tight leather corsets and riding sticks.
Yet they sang Jpop and anime songs, with giddy choreography. The men in the back seemed to be having a good time.
“Kampai” or cheers!
Much like the club night Department H, this is a place for you to be whoever or whatever you wish, without judgement.
The grotesque doll on the wall is indication that anything goes.
Makeup on men is the norm rather than the exception.
Goth fashion looks especially bloody under red lights.
My current blue hair matches these girls on the wall.
For once, Yukiro isn’t the tallest person in the room… thanks to little help from stilts!
Mistress Maya (who is also DJ Maya at her event Midnight Mess) tied up an innocent victim.
The girl got a spanking and hot candle wax on her back, among other things that we can’t post on this blog… You’ll have to use your imagination, or come to Decabar to see for yourself.
For more photos from Tokyo Decadence and other Goth / Cyber / LGBT nightlife, take a look at my Japan clubbing guide.
PS: Yukiro is performing his spooky drag queen act, Die Schwarze Frau, on April 27th at Tokyo Pride Parade! For info on how to see him in action, check out his Facebook page. You’ll be entertained and frightened for sure.
Have you ever tried pole dancing? Would you visit a club like this?
LA CARMINA
