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Nov 29 2011 22 Comments

Kabukicho — tattoos and tears?

Tokyo has numerous, very different neighbourhoods, but arguably none of them are as distinct as Shinjuku’s Kabukicho. A large red light district that boasts a varied selection of bars along with countless establishments of a more specialised, and decidedly more salacious nature. The bright lights and busy streets of which mask the less celebrated and much sadder nature of such places. An aspect that the fascinating documentary, The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief, details ever so well.

Certain scenes of which, in the far from warm glow of an autumn morning, can be a little more visible.

kabukicho hostess

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Juan says

    11/29/2011 at 10:23 am

    Dude! That guy is giving you the evil eye! 😉

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/29/2011 at 3:40 pm

      Or a look of surprise…

      But yeah, probably the evil eye!

      Reply
  2. Marc Tobolski says

    11/29/2011 at 10:33 am

    Lee – you described this area perfectly! Hustlers of all varieties, pick-pockets, relaxation massage parlors. Everything you could imagine and more. Not on the typical tourist list but darn close to many tourist areas.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/29/2011 at 3:42 pm

      Thanks Marc. It really is quite a place, isn’t it? I see quite a few tourists on the outskirts of it, but yeah, not quite so many up and down its many streets.

      Reply
  3. Matt says

    11/29/2011 at 11:34 pm

    Lee, I’m always impressed at your, shall we say “balls” at taking these type of photos. It turned out great. Its an area i’ve never visited, but always been interested to.

    Reply
    • Matt says

      11/29/2011 at 11:36 pm

      I am now going to checkout the documentary.

      Reply
    • Jeffrey says

      11/30/2011 at 2:56 am

      Matt,

      Lee is 6’4,” weighs in about 225 and sports a fine Terrance Bickle Mohawk. Everyone LOVES to have his photo taken by Lee (or else). : )

      Reply
      • Lee says

        11/30/2011 at 9:42 am

        Haha! If only….

        Basically I try to be as quick and discreet as possible, although clearly that’s not always possible. Some images I feel have to be captured though, so I just take a chance. But to be perfectly the honest, people are usually ok, and the worst it gets is usually a dirty look like this one. A smile can also quickly diffuse any potential awkwardness.

        The documentary is a real insight. Horribly sad, but a fascinating watch.

        Reply
        • Matt says

          12/4/2011 at 2:04 am

          Watched the documentary. You’re right, incredibly sad. I was surprised that it was almost equally sad from the host and client point of view. I would never have guessed that many of the clients were fuzoku.

          Reply
          • Lee says

            12/4/2011 at 9:07 am

            Yes, that’s what surprised me the most. People who know how it all works and yet still succumb, exposing how very lonely they are. Terribly sad.

            Reply
  4. Jeffrey says

    11/30/2011 at 2:59 am

    The world is wide enough for so many different kinds of people. Even Japan. But when I see yoof like this and know that the picture was taken in Kabukicho, you can’t help but feel that something’s gone wrong somewhere along the way.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/30/2011 at 9:45 am

      Yes, I know what you mean. Then multiply it by all the city’s other red light districts, and that’s a lot of people in similar situations…

      Reply
  5. April says

    11/30/2011 at 10:08 pm

    I keep meaning to check out that documentary. Have you ever been threatened or physical harmed for taking a photo?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/30/2011 at 11:09 pm

      It’s well worth it. A real insight into a whole other world.

      Nah, not at all. I’ve been given dirty looks and been told not to take a photo, but that’s about it. It’s much nicer when the reaction is the complete opposite though. A smile, or sometimes even a thank you, is lovely.

      Reply
      • April says

        11/30/2011 at 11:18 pm

        I wondered because I’ll see someone interesting and shy away from photography them for fear of being threatened. New Orleans isn’t use to cameras everywhere, I think.

        Reply
        • Lee says

          12/1/2011 at 7:52 am

          That’s a real shame. To be honest I used to do the same and it took me a long while to get over it. Even now there are times when I’m not as confident as I’d like to be. But there again, I don’t (and never have) fear being threatened. I appreciate that New Orleans and Tokyo are very different places.

          Reply
  6. Alain alexandre says

    12/2/2011 at 6:07 pm

    in each place or people transmits some life, in the light of l’ shade harms d’ mixture; odor of magic eternally reconnemcement

    Reply
  7. Matt says

    12/9/2011 at 4:46 pm

    I’ve always been curious about the red light district of Japan, I’ll give the documentary a watch – Stay safe taking those pictures!

    Reply
  8. Edenbeast says

    1/22/2015 at 9:02 pm

    Just came across your blog/website, and I commend you on the excellent photos you share with us. I have a question though why I keep hearing that Kabukicho is arguably the most well known red light district in Japan?, also what does a “Host” do exactly?. Thanks and keep up the great work.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      1/22/2015 at 10:39 pm

      Cheers!

      It’s the biggest. Or at least that’s what I’ve always presumed. And if not, it has got to be the busiest.

      Difficult to explain, at least briefly. But this gives you a rough idea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Host_and_hostess_clubs

      And for a real insight, watch the documentary linked to in the post. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

      Reply
  9. Toni says

    6/4/2015 at 1:57 am

    Hey, Lee,but what is that guy holding in his left hand? a comb? and folding knife? is it the barrell of a small handgun sticking out of his sleeve? inquiring minds would like to know,lol

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/4/2015 at 10:39 am

      Happily nothing more dangerous than a phone. One of the now old-school none smart variety.

      Reply

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