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Mbear's Closet Vol. 7
Written by Mbear    Sunday, 31 January 2010 23:17   
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This month I've shifted locations, from the scummy, nightclub-infested environs of Roppongi to the slightly less nightclub-infested area of Shibuya.

When people think of Tokyo proper, all of its busy, hive-like humanity, they're probably thinking first of Shibuya. Hachiko crossing is probably the most famous intersection in the world, thanks to movies like Lost in Translation.  I shall therefore not be showing a picture of that.  Instead, I will show you a picture of the Shibuya station sign.


Unlike Harajuku, which caters to a slightly younger demographic, Shibuya is host to the college/university aged souls.  Thus, it's the home of the 109 building, the epicenter of young fashion in Japan.  Lo these many moons ago, Dir en grey's advertisements ran down the front of this prime advertising space.



More recently their advertising pixies roamed the streets of Shibuya in a tricked out hummer.



But back when they were little Dir ens, scarcely daring to dream of the career to come, they performed the almost requisite Tower Records live.


The event space is tiny, by the way, and dark.

Around the same time, they alighted in Shibuya O-East/Shibuya O-West, a pair of venues that are literally across the street from each other, and located in (one of the many) love hotel areas.




As reported in an interview, it was at one of these lives that they decided to build a set, and so a trip to Tokyu Hands was launched.




Not kidding about the love hotels.



Or the generally scummy nature of some of Shibuya's smaller streets.

Or the fact that the area is liberal enough in attitude to be the location of a Condomania.



Not that Shibuya is completely degenerate.  The Three Minutes of Happiness that this shop is advertising is perfectly innocent fun.


And on the same street you can find one of the two big Apple stores in Tokyo (with English support for those plagued by computer problems).


Going ape is perfectly G-rated as well.


While walking along the shop-lined Spanish Road,


you might happen upon some familiar faces.



Then you could scoot over to ESP, an area around which the boys are rumored to frequent,


then get yourself some french fries and have a break in Center Gai.


Go buy some cheap second-hand cds at Book Off before going upstairs to catch a live at Club Quattro.


Or conversely, see a bigger, more popular live at Shibuya AX or NHK Hall, both of which have played host to a much more recent, seasoned (not to say old!) Dir en grey.



But be good, because the police are watching you.


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