First, a bit background: although the relentless cadence of releases has impeded my general capacity to maintain up with the Like a Dragon franchise, I’m a long-time fan. I began with the unique PS2 entry, which SEGA hoped would rival the untouchable Grand Theft Auto franchise on the time. Whereas that success by no means got here to go – in truth, the franchise would fall upon torrid occasions through the PS3 period, with solely Sony’s intervention enabling Yakuza 5 to get localised – I used to be a powerful supporter all through, even reviewing the schlocky spin-off Yakuza: Lifeless Souls. (Actually, I even have an imported copy of that one, as I by no means anticipated it to launch abroad.)
Kabukicho, then, was an necessary a part of my Tokyo journey itinerary – important, in truth. Initially, it wasn’t fairly what I anticipated: regardless of the clock ticking previous 10PM, the streets had been virtually deserted, save for some people who smoke standing outdoors their inns and the ever-present buzz of Japan’s omnipresent comfort shops. (Sorry, it was solely 7-ELEVEN and Household Mart chains right here – no Poppos like within the recreation.)
I had been anticipating seedy, however on this preliminary 30-minute exploration, essentially the most sordid factor I noticed was an aged gentleman peeing subsequent to a drainpipe. To be truthful, he was standing reverse a love lodge – a sort of brief keep rental residence block frequented by prostitutes – nevertheless it nonetheless wasn’t actually scratching my itch. The format of the placement additionally didn’t really feel like Kamurocho; sure, there have been road nook parking tons and even a baseball batting centre, however nothing I’d describe as distinctly from the Yakuza video games.
I knew I wanted to dig deeper and so I set a course for the well-known crimson gate, which anybody who’s ever interacted with a Like a Dragon title shall be aware of. As Google Maps guided me nearer to the epicentre of Kabukicho, the temper did admittedly begin to change. One factor I noticed in Tokyo typically is that town has the aptitude to remodel: it might go from surprisingly sedate to intensely energetic in simply a few blocks, and the crowds slowly began to emerge on the illuminated streets.
A couple of extra minutes strolling and Kamurocho turned much more evident: streets lined with illuminated billboards glittered in opposition to the evening sky, and it was apparent this space was regularly segueing into Tokyo’s redlight district. There have been dozens of hostess golf equipment on both facet of the road, most peddling good-looking younger males in spectacular make-up – a shock to me, as I’d anticipated the realm to be principally dominated by males on the lookout for younger ladies to work together with.
Tokyo, typically, is impressively clear – however this space was embellished with junk, with left-over Coca-Cola cans and meals packaging discarded on the ground. Regardless of the dirtiness, although, it nonetheless regarded lovely: like a Christmas tree illuminating crowds of revellers, a lot of which had been in boisterous moods. Usually, the realm gave the impression to be dominated by younger folks and a number of travellers, though dressed-up women and men lined some streets, selling their locations of labor. In some instances, I’d obtain a wave or a wink in an try to entice my consideration – however I used to be right here principally for the gate.
Mentioned gate really proved a troublesome picture alternative, as a result of it’s positioned immediately subsequent to a busy highway. It was additionally, as you’d anticipate, surrounded by folks – all seeking to get their very own photographs. It could have been attention-grabbing to know simply what number of people within the space had visited particularly due to the Yakuza franchise, and I think the rising recognition of the video games hasn’t damage the final foot visitors in any respect.
A brief stroll down the principle road, bookmarked but once more by extra hostess golf equipment, revealed an arcade – rebranded as GiGO within the aftermath of SEGA promoting off its arcade enterprise – and a bowling alley, in addition to a cinema. These, in fact, are all pivotal locations in Kamurocho, and locations the place you’ll be able to busy your self with an array of minigames, so it was good to see them represented. To the left of the principle road was Kabukicho Tower, overlooking a plaza full of kids discovering their bearings after a heavy evening on the jungle juice.
Kabukicho Tower felt necessary as a result of its in-game analogue, Millennium Tower, is such an iconic a part of the Yakuza franchise. There’s a great probability when you’ve performed any entry within the collection, you’ve discovered your self preventing your technique to the rooftop – it’s the cliché that apparently by no means will get outdated within the Like a Dragon video games. I needed to go in simply to see if every ground could be occupied by well-tailored goons seeking to impede my progress, however I discovered a meals court docket with a DJ as a substitute.
This bar was really fairly superior, with a lit-up dancefloor occupied by kids (!!!) and a handful of adults who’d had an excessive amount of to drink. It didn’t appear dodgy, and everybody seemed to be in good spirits – even when it could make a great backdrop for a Kazuma Kiryu-style beatdown. On the upstairs was a Namco arcade, with gashapon machines, UFO catchers, and a handful of video video games. There have been companies on the opposite flooring, too, though they remained inaccessible right now of evening.
On the way in which again outdoors, the plaza had attracted a crowd, as a gaggle of 5 or 6 ladies practiced a kpop-style dance routine. Having spent a little bit of time in Asia already, this sort of road dancing isn’t unusual – though on this case I discovered it odd that the troupe hadn’t introduced with them a PA system, and seemed to be dancing to the digicam individual’s counting versus an precise piece of music. As a spectator expertise, it sort of ruined the entire efficiency.
An hour or so after arriving, although, I couldn’t shake the underlying pangs of disappointment: Kabukicho was cool, nevertheless it wasn’t Kamurocho. I hadn’t seen anybody get curb stomped – and whereas there definitely was a sleaziness to among the posters and bar home windows, I’d anticipated a lot worse. The true-life location felt like a sanitised model of Kamurocho – a unclean den of iniquity, sure, however not an overtly hostile hub of criminal activity like within the video games.
As I made my approach again to Shinjuku Station, a woman perched in an upstairs window tried to idiot onlookers into believing she was some sort of Cyberpunk 2077-style robotic. At this level, I wasn’t simply fooled – a number of days in Tokyo heightens the senses, and maybe I used to be too desensitised by this level to be shocked by Kabukicho’s methods. Nonetheless, at the very least I used to be capable of depart with my tooth, eh?
Have you ever ever visited Kabukicho in real-life, and the way did you discover it in comparison with Yakuza’s iconic Kamurocho sandbox? Attempt not to have a look at anybody the incorrect approach within the feedback part beneath.
