batshit insane stuff to do in Tokyo

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

So now that the Robot Restaurant and the Samurai Restaurant have shut down, what else is there to do in Tokyo that will have me question my sanity? Will spend five days in Tokyo in the beginning of September, and as of right now I plan to
- see some underground Idol groups
- go to a harsh/ experimental noise show (apparently, Government Alpha is still around; I remember emailing him 15 years ago to enquire about shows, and not only did he reply immediately, he offered to come pick me up from the subway station before the show started. nice fella!)

I am totally willing to involve myself in seedier/ adult activities, as long as it doesn't involve straight prostitution (nothing wrong with that as long as everybody involved does it out of their own free will, it's just not my cup of tea).

[GaijinPunch]

- Teamlabs (Borderless and Planets). I only had time to do one. Borderless is booked weeks out, so keep that in mind. Not exactly insane, but there's not a lot of places like it throughout the world. Good value as you can stay in there for hours. Book your ticket to enter before 17:00
- Department H is still going strong I believe
- Some interesting love hotels, but you'll want a partner obviously.

as long as it doesn't involve straight prostitution

Well, lucky for you only coitus qualifies as prostitution in Japan. So, should I do some internet spelunking and find out where the best anal/BJ places are? (Hopefully they're not the same place).

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

- Teamlabs (Borderless and Planets). I only had time to do one. Borderless is booked weeks out, so keep that in mind. Not exactly insane, but there's not a lot of places like it throughout the world. Good value as you can stay in there for hours. Book your ticket to enter before 17:00

I've read about Teamlabs but was wondering if it was worth the not exactly cheap entry fee, but I do trust your judgement!

- Department H is still going strong I believe

That sounds exciting, I think I will drop by if one of them shows takes place while I'm in Tokyo!

- Some interesting love hotels, but you'll want a partner obviously.

The wife (who knows and strongly approves of all my shenanigans) is staying home, and since I'm not exactly an outgoing guy I doubt I will have need of one...

Well, lucky for you only coitus qualifies as prostitution in Japan. So, should I do some internet spelunking and find out where the best anal/BJ places are? (Hopefully they're not the same place).

Uh... well that does sound tempting, to be honest

Anyways, many thanks for the great tips, you da man!

[GaijinPunch]

No worries! Teamlabs is cheaper than Robot Restaurant, and you can spend half a day in there. It's pretty impressive, honestly. My gal and I went in towards the end of the day. Only had 2 hours and *just* saw about everything, but most people do loops as the rooms change things up every now and again.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

Looks like Department H takes place on every first Saturday of a month, so I won't be able to go - no matter, there's so many other fetish and gay venues to go to. I just hope that I won't unknowingly break any of the myriad of unwritten rules that without a doubt exist there just like in all other areas of Japanese life - I've never even been to a gay bar in Germany. Then again, in my experience, as long as you're polite and friendly, it's hard to piss the Japanese off...

I've put Teamlabs on my list of things I really want to do in Tokyo!

[GaijinPunch]

Note that for Planets, there's a part (whole thing?) where you take your shoes off and walk through water. Maybe your thing, maybe not. Borderless your shoes stay on all the time.

Shinjuku 2-chome is the gay mecca of Tokyo, but it is super tame by German standards. Also, plenty of gaijin there. It will be hard to offend anyone as long as you're not openly being an asshole. At least that's my experience w/ gay-friendly parties. Crazy shit that requires signing a waiver to get in? You're on your own.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

It's hot as fuck in summer in Tokyo anyway, so I won't mind walking through water at all, but thanks for the warning.

I keep hearing about the German (gay) scene being crazy - I really had no idea, I've been to a couple of gay saunas, but apart from the usual fucking etc. nothing shocking happened. Maybe I just have different standards? Don't know, everyday German saunas are attended by ladies and gentlemen both and everybody's nekkid there, nobody cares, but some foreigners seem to be shocked by that and it makes me wonder how some people actually manage to procreate....

[GaijinPunch]

I've been to a German sauna. Pretty tame. I've been to an underground party in Berlin where I saw a couple of sets of 300 pound dudes fucking in the corner... another chick getting fisted at the bar. Usual stuff.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

a man of the world I see!

[MintyTheCat]

- Some interesting love hotels, but you'll want a partner obviously.

[MintyTheCat]

I've been to a German sauna. Pretty tame. I've been to an underground party in Berlin where I saw a couple of sets of 300 pound dudes fucking in the corner... another chick getting fisted at the bar. Usual stuff.

I would avoid Kitkat in Belrin with a passion. I have no idea why folks fly around the world to spend time in Berghain - Berlin is highly overrated. I have had a lot more fun in other cities than here.

I do hear that tokyo can be a lot of fun by all I'm told. Berlin - nah, relying on its great, seedy past way too much. Jesus, I even had more fun in London than Berlin and I live in Berlin

[GaijinPunch]

I would avoid Kitkat in Belrin with a passion. I have no idea why folks fly around the world to spend time in Berghain - Berlin is highly overrated. I have had a lot more fun in other cities than here.

It was indeed Kitkat. It was a friend of a friends party. The music was bad. Bucket list. Done. I've never tried Berghain. For clubbers it is mecca, probably b/c of the difficulty at the door. But at my age I don't look for points. I just want a place that will provide the best time.

I do hear that tokyo can be a lot of fun by all I'm told. Berlin - nah, relying on its great, seedy past way too much. Jesus, I even had more fun in London than Berlin and I live in Berlin

Like everywhere, Tokyo is not the same city it was 20-25 years ago. I felt like the late 90's was the last hoorah from the bubble. Nobody realized the downward trajectory would continue on for so long. Also, the internet hadn't destroyed it. Neither of the two of the most popular clubs in town (Maniac Love, and Yellow) even had a sign. You had to know at least one cool person to even know the location. It was a nice filter. Also, cops didn't really know what was going on so they weren't being as big of dicks back then.

Enough has been said about the evolution of Akihabara so I'll spare everyone.

So yeah, those days are over. You have to put up w/ a huge amount of tourists and influencers now. It's still worth going, and tons of fun can be had. It's just a different kind of fun.

[neorichieb1971]

I'll be in Japan shortly on yet another retro hunt in Tokyo and Nagoya. Will be passing Nara, Kyoto and Osaka temporarily.

[MintyTheCat]

I would avoid Kitkat in Belrin with a passion. I have no idea why folks fly around the world to spend time in Berghain - Berlin is highly overrated. I have had a lot more fun in other cities than here.

It was indeed Kitkat. It was a friend of a friends party. The music was bad. Bucket list. Done. I've never tried Berghain. For clubbers it is mecca, probably b/c of the difficulty at the door. But at my age I don't look for points. I just want a place that will provide the best time.

Kitkat is a real shit hole and one of the very few times that I've been to a place and asked myself "...when was the last time I had a Tetanus injection?" - the place is filthy and full of drug addicts and all round selfish c**ts. Horrible place and worth avoiding.

We passed it a few weeks back as the Lemmings were queuing up to go inside, it was still daylight and my God, the ugliness factor was extremely high. Now imagine bumping into that sort of thing in dim lit spaces. Also, the place stank. For the life of me it escapes why people reckon that place is cool, it isn't

[Frenetic]

Wow that is so cool Government Alpha offered to pick you, I'd definitely take him up on that offer maybe you can meet some of the other noisers in Tokyo. Maybe he can get you an invitation to Bar Nightingale in Golden Gai!

Here are some experimental/noise venues that I enjoyed:

ochiaisoup (heh, i'm wondering if that noise show that Government Alpha knows is gonna be here)
https://ochiaisoup.com/

Ftarri
https://www.ftarri.com/suidobashi/index-e.html

The infamous Shinjuku Pit Inn
http://pit-inn.com/e/

I haven't been here but have heard good things:

20000v in Koenji
https://den-atsu.com/

If you like ramen, Ganko is amazing:
https://www.ramenguidejapan.com/reviews ... -souhonken

Hope you enjoy your stay in Tokyo!

Cheers,
the F-man

[GaijinPunch]

Kitkat is a real shit hole and one of the very few times that I've been to a place and asked myself "...when was the last time I had a Tetanus injection?" - the place is filthy and full of drug addicts and all round selfish c**ts. Horrible place and worth avoiding.

Of all the clubs in the world to have a pool... that one.

[SuperDeadite]

Whatever you do in Tokyo just stay far the fuck away from Super Potato. Place was always a tourist trap, but now the place will litteraly kill you from the nasty stench of sweaty "influencers" attempting to justify why they just spent thousands on plane tickets to save 2 bucks off the cost of a dragon quest cart.

[neorichieb1971]

Whatever you do in Tokyo just stay far the fuck away from Super Potato. Place was always a tourist trap, but now the place will litteraly kill you from the nasty stench of sweaty "influencers" attempting to justify why they just spent thousands on plane tickets to save 2 bucks off the cost of a dragon quest cart.

I always pop in Super Potato, but usually come out with little. I bought some of their box protectors last time.

Japan has become my new favourite place in recent years. I'll be diverting a lot of energy into Nagoya this time around as I haven't been there before. For me, its the adventure of being in a country that feels like a different planet. That is refreshing since Covid. I don't get out much these days as all the shops are gone, fuel is expensive.

The Yen is at a 15 year low against other major currencies so as visitations to different countries go, Japan makes sense right now. £GBP is almost Y200 per £. USD is Y156.

I was thinking of hiring a car for the first time in Japan, my wife doesn't agree lol.

[rancor]

The wildest place I've been in the last few years is the Ueno Okura cinema.
You pay 1700 yen, and you can stay as long as you want. I go for the Nikkatsu Roman Porno films.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hMcGEnWHiDekWQoT8
Go late on a weekend, it's sure to make you blush.
Once you've had enough, wander through the dimly lit places in Ueno park.
Finish the night by grabbing a kebab on Ameyoko street with your new friends.

[SuperDeadite]

Whatever you do in Tokyo just stay far the fuck away from Super Potato. Place was always a tourist trap, but now the place will litteraly kill you from the nasty stench of sweaty "influencers" attempting to justify why they just spent thousands on plane tickets to save 2 bucks off the cost of a dragon quest cart.

I always pop in Super Potato, but usually come out with little. I bought some of their box protectors last time.

Japan has become my new favourite place in recent years. I'll be diverting a lot of energy into Nagoya this time around as I haven't been there before. For me, its the adventure of being in a country that feels like a different planet. That is refreshing since Covid. I don't get out much these days as all the shops are gone, fuel is expensive.

The Yen is at a 15 year low against other major currencies so as visitations to different countries go, Japan makes sense right now. £GBP is almost Y200 per £. USD is Y156.

I was thinking of hiring a car for the first time in Japan, my wife doesn't agree lol.

If you're after games, stick to Beep, Ken, and Mandarake. Beep is certainly worth a visit as it doubles as a computer museum. Fuck the potato.

[neorichieb1971]

The wildest place I've been in the last few years is the Ueno Okura cinema.
You pay 1700 yen, and you can stay as long as you want. I go for the Nikkatsu Roman Porno films.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hMcGEnWHiDekWQoT8
Go late on a weekend, it's sure to make you blush.
Once you've had enough, wander through the dimly lit places in Ueno park.
Finish the night by grabbing a kebab on Ameyoko street with your new friends.

What kind of friends would they be?

If you're after games, stick to Beep, Ken, and Mandarake. Beep is certainly worth a visit as it doubles as a computer museum. Fuck the potato.

I know Beep and Mandarake, don't know Ken. Mandarake is more expensive than Super Potato, but generally has higher quality products.

[SuperDeadite]

Ken is the best place to go for original stuff you won't find anywhere else. It's where most doujin hardware is sold.

https://www.kadenken.com/

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

Wow that is so cool Government Alpha offered to pick you, I'd definitely take him up on that offer maybe you can meet some of the other noisers in Tokyo. Maybe he can get you an invitation to Bar Nightingale in Golden Gai!

Here are some experimental/noise venues that I enjoyed:

ochiaisoup (heh, i'm wondering if that noise show that Government Alpha knows is gonna be here)
https://ochiaisoup.com/

Ftarri
https://www.ftarri.com/suidobashi/index-e.html

The infamous Shinjuku Pit Inn
http://pit-inn.com/e/

I haven't been here but have heard good things:

20000v in Koenji
https://den-atsu.com/

If you like ramen, Ganko is amazing:
https://www.ramenguidejapan.com/reviews ... -souhonken

Hope you enjoy your stay in Tokyo!

Cheers,
the F-man

Many thanks for the recommendations, man!
Unfortunately that Government Alpha show took place in 2009, and I ended up flying a month or so later because of course I caught a pretty brutal flu a couple of days before my flight.

The wildest place I've been in the last few years is the Ueno Okura cinema.
You pay 1700 yen, and you can stay as long as you want. I go for the Nikkatsu Roman Porno films.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hMcGEnWHiDekWQoT8
Go late on a weekend, it's sure to make you blush.
Once you've had enough, wander through the dimly lit places in Ueno park.
Finish the night by grabbing a kebab on Ameyoko street with your new friends.

Very cool recommmendation, thanks a lot!

[GaijinPunch]

The wildest place I've been in the last few years is the Ueno Okura cinema.

They rebuilt this (like everything) right? I recall back in the days is being a nice Showa remnant.

[BareKnuckleRoo]

Very informative thread, appreciate the info! I'm travelling there soon to visit a few places s SW of Tokyo such as Hiroshima and Kyoto. When looking for arcades to hit up, what's a good way of telling what's likely to have a selection of shmups and so forth, as opposed mainly crane games and pachislot? Is there a specific term or keyword to look for?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Very informative thread, appreciate the info! I'm travelling there soon to visit a few places s SW of Tokyo such as Hiroshima and Kyoto. When looking for arcades to hit up, what's a good way of telling what's likely to have a selection of shmups and so forth, as opposed mainly crane games and pachislot? Is there a specific term or keyword to look for?

For BareKnuckleroo,

Be sure to check out the Hiroshima War Memorial Museum as it's quite a somber and moving experience/testament to the horrors of the atomic bomb and their devastating effects on the children born afterwards. Even during my stay at the Hiroshima youth hostel back in 2000, the bathroom water faucets were hooked up to a very heavy-duty water filtration system (which was to be expected as usual).

Of course, Nintendo HQ is based out of Kyoto but don't offer tours to the general public anyways (unless you're a famous celebrity or of the sort). Security is quite tight over at Nintendo HQ in Kyoto as usual -- it's a given alrighty.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[BareKnuckleRoo]

We're actually going to the Children's Peace Monument there with a suitcase full of paper cranes! My husband did an art project back in university about Sadako Sasaki, and brought 1000 paper cranes to hang up there.

https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/e ... 58105.html

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

Not to be a dick here guys, but this is one of the rare cases where I wish people wouldn't stray from the topic of the thread as much... there are different threads for info on Japanese arcades and retro shops etc.

[DMC]

I am totally willing to involve myself in seedier/ adult activities, as long as it doesn't involve straight prostitution (nothing wrong with that as long as everybody involved does it out of their own free will, it's just not my cup of tea).

This thread reminds me of the book "In the Miso Soup" by Ryu Murakami. Maybe give it a read. It's a brief, fun read about Tokyo nightlife.

Wikipedia plot summary without any major spoiler:

Spoiler

Twenty-year-old Kenji is a Japanese "nightlife" guide for foreigners—he navigates gaijin men around the sex clubs and hostess bars of Tokyo.
On December 29 he receives a phone call from an American named Frank, who seeks three nights of his services.
While Kenji has promised to spend more time with his girlfriend, sixteen-year-old Jun, the money is too good to pass up.
He finds himself closing out the end of the year accompanying Frank around Shinjuku, wondering if his strange, plastic-skinned patron could be responsible for the gruesome events recently reported in the news.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

I am totally willing to involve myself in seedier/ adult activities, as long as it doesn't involve straight prostitution (nothing wrong with that as long as everybody involved does it out of their own free will, it's just not my cup of tea).

This thread reminds me of the book "In the Miso Soup" by Ryu Murakami. Maybe give it a read. It's a brief, fun read about Tokyo nightlife.

Wikipedia plot summary without any major spoiler:

Spoiler

Twenty-year-old Kenji is a Japanese "nightlife" guide for foreigners—he navigates gaijin men around the sex clubs and hostess bars of Tokyo.
On December 29 he receives a phone call from an American named Frank, who seeks three nights of his services.
While Kenji has promised to spend more time with his girlfriend, sixteen-year-old Jun, the money is too good to pass up.
He finds himself closing out the end of the year accompanying Frank around Shinjuku, wondering if his strange, plastic-skinned patron could be responsible for the gruesome events recently reported in the news.

I've read and enjoyed I think two Murakami books. Thanks for the recommendation!

edit: Of course I mixed him up with Haruki Murakami. Shame on my house. Reading up on Ryu Murakami, his work sounds very interesting. I might pick up the book you recommended!

edit II: I knew I'd heard the name before - Ryu Murakami wrote Audition, which was turned into an infamous but excellent movie by Takashi Miike!