Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
ROBOT CAFE IN YOYOGI, TOKYO: OTAKU BAR & RESTAURANT, JAPANESE ROBOTO FIGURES, RARE TOYS & COLLECTIBLES.
I aim to visit every bizarre theme restaurant in Tokyo — and Robot Cafe in Yoyogi needed to be crossed off the list. I rounded up Professor Fearstone (head of Horror High School) and we circled around the block several times, looking for signs of otaku. Finally, Gundam appeared and saved the day.
I was filming with the CNN TV show earlier that day, hence the same outfit (more photos here).
Little cake hat: gifted from Agent Lover. So cute, and easy to attach.
Gothic Lolita dress: Innocent World, from Closet Child Harajuku.
Long, sheer overcoat: Ozz Croce, from Closet Child Shinjuku.
Orb-print tights: Vivienne Westwood, from Marui Womens Shinjuku.
Swashbuckler boots: Alice and the Pirates, from Closet Child Harajuku.
Coffin backpack: h.NAOTO, from Closet Child Ikebukuro.
Robot Cafe is, obviously, a hangout for nerdy types. The decoration was a bit too close to “otaku reality”: every square inch of the slightly shabby establishment was covered in toys, superhero belts and collectible vinyl figures.
Growing up? Becoming an adult? No thank you.
Manga and anime heavyweights left their signatures on the wall.
Every customer received a loyalty card with a cute girl on it. You can rack up points on return visits.
The special cocktails came with sexy vinyl girl figurines. Kim chi, hot rice, soy sauce and raw egg mixed together — a favorite Akihabara dish. Don’t know it til you’ve tried it.
The drinks were not very strong, so we sought another theme (and alcoholic) fix. Onward to Showa Disco, a Shinjuku bar dedicated to Japanese pop idols of the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
The Backstreet Boys look like the Ninja Turtles next to this old-time Japanese boy band.
You could request Italo Disco songs, such as covers by Japanese girl duo Wink. We were the only people there, other than a middle-aged couple reminiscing about their days of glory. Want to see more? Check out this post about Showa Disco.
Any Italo Disco fanatics out there? Who are your favorite artists from that horrible and genius era?
PS: thanks to you, I made it to the final round of the Canadian Weblog Awards! The polls are closing tomorrow, so please take a second to vote for La Carmina. Huge hugs.
PPS: Add me on Twitter for my latest Tokyo updates! Such as… “Bought a RIDICULOUS amount of yuzu juice, pumpkin pizza and nail clippers.” “A Nightmare truck drove by, covered w/ photos of the #visualkei #jrock band + blasting their new single. 10th anniversary album out 10/20.”
Japanese Word of the Day: Otonagai = People who buy a lot of child-like goods
Song of the Day: Wink – Boys Don’t Cry (Italo cheese alert!)
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YELLOW HOUSE, JIM SINN: HARAJUKU PUNK & VISUAL KEI CLOTHING BRANDS, FAMOUS JAPANESE SHOPS.
In Harajuku, the underground fashion is… literally underground. As you walk down Takeshita Doori, keep your eyes peeled on the left for the Yellow House sign. The little clothing stall is down a flight of steps, and an absolute must-visit. You’ll enter a cave filled with clippings of X Japan, Dir en Grey and Miyavi. Then, the old and spunky lady — who has been dominating this joint for decades — will pounce on you and zip you into punk rock clothing.
As I said in an interview: “I salute you, Yellow House Baba. You’ve been running your little Harajuku shop and designing outfits for famous Visual Kei / J-rock artists for 25 years. And you’re still scuttling around like a teenager, dressing people up in pirate punk cat hoodies when they wander in. Let’s hope I can be like you someday.”
Next door is Death Trap ID, another indie boutique. The clothes are rock, punk, Gothic, fun.
The fabrics and cuts are less refined than similar brands such as Sex Pot Revenge, but they make up for it in skulls and attitude.
There’s a wall of slinky tops and jackets for Visual / host boy types.
Viva Visual Kei!
Next door (and still underground) is Jim Sinn. Punk pants, custom leather jackets, and accessories such as a leather studded eyepatch. Arrr.
When you walk back up to the ground level, pop in next door to Takenoko: drag queen clothing heaven.
Poofs and glitter. These old-timers are some of the remaining indie shops in Harajuku, which is becoming run over by big retailers like Forever XXI — so I encourage you to support them.
Don’t forget to wander into the side streets, where you’ll find cheaper alternative clothing like in AC/DC. Want more photos, maps and guides to shopping in Harajuku? Please check out my shop guide here.
Thoughts on the disappearance of indie shops in Harajuku? Will this trend continue, or will we see a Renaissance?
PS: I have new hair! Added a certain bright color to my fading orange dye — can you guess what it is? Want to see photos?
Japanese Word of the Day: Binbou himanashi = No money or free time
Song of the Day: Syu – Against The Wind
LA CARMINA
