A backstreet in Shibuya, Tokyo : Cyberpunk
▻https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/5zc8sz/a_backstreet_in_shibuya_tokyo
▻https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/52lfr0/the_cyb_guide_to_tokyo
This is a guide for people who are interested in Cyberpunk subculture. It’s basically a tourist sightseeing guide with a cyberpunk theme. Some places you might already know, others probably not. Every location includes a “Tourist Score” where 5 means easily accessible and tourists everywhere and 1 means you better be able to speak Japanese because you’re probably the only tourist around. I also always included a location marker (so you can find the place via Openstreetmap) and a photo. Most of the photos are not my own because I can’t access all my pics right now but rest assured, all of these locations have some great spots for Cyberpunk-ish photography. However, don’t assume that all of these places offer some sort of “entertainment” for people who are not into cyberpunk. It’s not a guide on bars or restaurants but rather places and landmarks. So get your camera, buy yourself a Suica and jump in:
Shinjuku – Omoide Yokocho / 新宿西口思い出横
Location, Tourist Level 5/5
Omoide Yokocho is a roofed cluster of small Izakayas. The dusty air, neon signs and classic architecture give a great Cyberpunk-ish vibe. Since it‘s in the heart of Shinjuku it‘s quite easy to find and all Izakayas there have English menus (in case you want to grab something to eat there too). Also the crossing on the west side of the building is worth a visit (Two pictures I took there: One, Two)
Shinjuku – Golden Gai / 新宿ゴールデン街
Location, Tourist Level 5/5
Golden Gai is basically more of the same. A collection of small bars, tightly crammed together. Neon signs, classic architecture and a lot of foreigner-friendly bars to hang out in. Particularly great at night or at dawn. The surrounding area of Kabukicho is also pretty interesting and offers a lot of great visuals (and blowjob parlors).
Shibuya – Shibuya Crossing / 渋谷駅前交差点
Location, Tourist Level 5/5
I don’t think Shibuya Crossing needs any introduction. It’s the symbol of Cyberpunk and given you are on this sub, you’ve probably seen pictures of it already. Just don’t set up your long exposure timer while in the middle of the crossing because you are going to get run over!
Shinjuku – Skyscraper District/Nishi Shinjuku / 西新宿
Location, Tourist Level 4/5
Tokyo’s urban jungle. Tall skyscrapers, modern architecture, very good for taking photos at night. If you have a good sense of direction, walk northwest on the 青梅街道 (Ome Kaido) and then take one of the smaller side-streets. You will get a view of the skyscraper district, obstructed by small, often rather old buildings. I did that more than once after partying in Shinjuku (I used to live in Nakano). Great Cyberpunk vibe there!
Akihabara – Used PC-Parts side street
Location, Tourist Level 3/5
You come to Tokyo, chances are you wanna visit Akihabara. After all, that part of the city used to be a hub for used electronics and technology in the 80s. Now it’s mostly gay anime shit but there are still remains of that old Akihabara. When you exit the station and walk along the Chuo-Doori (the long street with all the anime shops) you want to head west. There are two streets running parallel to the Chuo-Doori that include a large number of shops carrying used electronics (chains like Hard-Off as well as smaller, independent stores). If you go further south you are going to find another interesting side-street (pictured above, photo by Aidan Hornsby) with a a few maid cafés and the store Super Potato. Since most tourists are going to check that out anyways, just head north afterwards! But one more thing: Some of the stores do not have English speaking personal (some are also Chinese) so beware and be nice. The other interesting part of Akiba is:
Akihabara – Radio Center / 秋葉原ラジオセンター
Location, Tourist Level 1/5
In the Radio Center building you are going to find a great selection of very, very small shops selling various highly specialized goods. Radios, used Cameras, DIY goods.. you name it. However beware, most of the stores there are aimed towards residents, most of the shop owners there don’t speak English and it is considered rude (at some shops even forbidden!) to take photos. Please don’t be rude. Be nice. Also don’t buy fake anime figurines from the Chinese shop at the entrance. Whenever you walk past a sign that says “Anime Figure Souvenir” you better continue walking.
Setagaya - Shimokitazawa / 下北沢
General Location, Tourist Level 3/5
Want bright neon lights, bars, narrow streets and hanging wires but find Shinjuku/Shibuya too loud/filled with tourists? Then try Shimokitazawa. A great place to go Karaoke or drink something, as well as take nice street photos. Not too many tourists around, the shops are cheaper and the buildings smaller. Now that I think about it, it’s actually not that Cyberpunk. But great to hang out nonetheless!
/EDIT: Wait, I take that back. If Shinjuku/Shibuya is Cyberpunk, this better be too.
Shinjuku - JASDF Ichigaya Base (航空自衛隊市ケ谷基地)
Location, Location from where the pic was taken, Tourist Level ?/5
Everyone is raving about the Tokyo Tower or the Sky Tree but I for one prefer the radio communications tower at the JASDF Ichigaya Base in Yotsuya. You can walk there from either Yotsuya Sanchome (Tokyo Metro Station) or Akebonobashi (Toei Shinjuku Line Station). The way it’s looming in the distance… always gives me the creeps! Also, please don’t try to enter the base, you are probably going to get arrested (or shot).
This is a WIP, I might have forgotten something cool. Post it in the comments and I’m going to include it here!