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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JAPAN PUNK CLOTHES FOR GIRLS. HARAJUKU PUNK LOLITA FASHION DESIGNS, CAMDENLOCK CLOTHING & SUGARPILL COSMETICS.
We’re getting close to the most important day of the year… Halloween! This momentous occasion called for new hair and a Japanese punk fashion photoshoot with my Scottish Fold cat, featuring the handmade knits of CamdenLock Clothing. (Look, Basil Farrow is already licking his lips for trick-or-treat candy.)
My friend Tomomi Fukada sent me this stunning knit half-sweater and leggings, which she made herself. She’s incredibly talented and hard-working; Tomomi was the stylist for Green Day on their American Idiot tour, and runs a cutting-edge Japanese punk clothing label, CamdenLock Clothing.
Punk plaid hat: Putumayo, from Closet Child
Skirt: Spider, Hong Kong Lolita brand
Fishnets: Old and abused, as they should be
Ruffle punk tank top: h.NAOTO’s Candy and Purin, from Closet Child
Tomomi’s CamdenLock leggings are ingeniously designed. Tighten and tie the string at the edge, and they’ll fit anybody. I wore them below the knee (schoolgirl-style), but they’re footless and stretch up to the top of the thighs. Her latest sweater designs, which have been featured in magazines, can be purchased here on Etsy (as well as more Japan Punk boys and girls clothing).
I got a package in the mail from Shrinkle, and screamed when I saw the latest eyeshadows from her makeup company, Sugarpill Cosmetics. Her products are vegan and cruelty-free, so my earless Farrow approves. (I spy another Evil Queen makeup tutorial video ahead…)
I lined and filled in the upper lids with OhMyGoth! Smudgeliner from Annabelle Cosmetics. I swept Sugarpill’s black sparkly Stella over the eyeliner, and under the lids. The shimmery magenta Magentric went above. I finished by dabbing white shadow under the brow and in the inner corners of my eyes.
As for my new hair color… I added cherry red streaks to the bottom layers. They’ll be more visible when I put my hair up.
Smelly cat, smelly cat… (and no, he’s not overweight according to his doctor!)
Basil Farrow is the sweetest teddy bear around. He loves to be squished (look at how he winks in happiness!). For more Scottish Fold cuteness, check out my cat’s blog, Facebook and YouTube videos.
If you’re a fashion or jewelry designer and would like La Carmina to showcase your designs in an outfit post, shoot me an email here. I am very choosy about the items that I feature; I prefer to work with indie companies, and will only showcase something if I personally like it and recommend it to readers.
Wait, don’t go! I’m about to announce an Iron Fist Zombie shoes giveaway with a twist… don’t miss out on your chance to win!
Have you ever done a photoshoot with a pet? How did it go? Basil Farrow loves to pout and model…
Japanese Word of the Day: Ukiuki suru = To be excited
Song of the Day: Takashi O’hashi – Babylon (feat. Jet In Boots) (Currently streaming on Cure Online Radio.)
LA CARMINA
