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)
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HANGRY & ANGRY H.NAOTO POP UP STORE, STUDIO ALTA. SEX POT REVENGE HARAJUKU. BUY PUNK CLOTHING JAPAN.
h.NAOTO’s cute Goth kitty clothing range, Hangry and Angry, held a pop-up shop in front of Shinjuku’s Studio Alta (right across the station’s east exit). Studio Alta is known for its gyaru (gal) boutiques, so it was nice to see a Gothic presence amidst the fuzzy boots and headbands.
The Hangry and Angry collection consists of plush toys and casual clothing, starring the two undead cat characters. Designer Hirooka Naoto has an impressive range (remember my photos of his Goth fashion show?).
I’m a fan of the cat-face bags. Naoto strikes a balance between spooky and cute, and pop-Goth-punk.
The Sex Pot Revenge boutique in Harajuku is (slightly) more punk.
I like the skull chains and black studded wrist cuffs. But it’s slightly incongruous to see DIY punk fashion in a meticulous (and somewhat pricey) store – don’t you think?
You can compared these Sex Pot Revenge store photos to the ones I took in 2008. Want to see more of Harajuku’s punk and alternative fashion? There are photos and length reports in my Tokyo shopping guide.
† Thank you to everyone who took part in the Ghostlove pirate jewelry giveaway. We truly appreciate your support. Chosen by random selection, the winner of the necklace is ZillowZollow (congrats!).
† Maggie Sensei, a bulldog who teaches Japanese, invited my Scottish Fold cat to be a guest lecturer. What’s Basil Farrow saying in the manga above? “I am a super celebrity. Try Googling me!” You can read the lesson here. I’ve found Maggie’s site to be very helpful for Japanese language learning; do check it out.
† Finally, Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi interviewed me for their Cute Cool Awesome Japanese culture site. What does it take to run a successful blog? My advice for young entrepreneurs? My answers are here and after the jump.
Hangry and Angry: love or hate them? Thoughts on the clean manifestation of punk fashion in Japan?
Japanese Word of the Day: ググる (Guguru) = You’ll have to read Basil Farrow’s lesson to find out the meaning!
Song of the Day: KanonXKanon – Calendula Requiem (preview of the project between Kanon Wakeshima and An Café’s kanon).
LA CARMINA
