Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MUSIC FESTIVALS
Music fans visiting in the summer can get their teeth into a few excellent music festivals. Fuji
Rock is still the biggest such event in Asia, and Summer Sonic quite possibly the second-largest.
Fuji Rock
Three days at the end of July; Naeba Ski
Resort, Niigata prefecture
W
fujirockfestival.com.
The most established event, as far as foreign bands go,
hosting a wide range of top-name acts covering musical
genres from dance and electronica to jazz and blues
on multiple stages. It takes place at Naeba Ski Resort
in Niigata prefecture, easily accessible from Tokyo by
train. It's possible to visit for the day, camp, or stay in
the hotels that, in winter, cater to the ski crowd.
Summer Sonic
Two days in early August; Chiba,
Chiba prefecture
W
summersonic.com.
A two-day
event split between Ōsaka and Chiba, the latter a 30min
train ride east of central Tokyo. An audience of well
over 100,000 line up to see a terrific mix of both local
and overseas bands over nine stages - Muse, Jay-Z,
Metallica and local rock legend Eikichi Yazawa are
among the many star acts to have performed here.
Rock in Japan
Three days in early August; Hitachi
Seaside Park, Ibaraki-ken
W
rijfes.jp.
Held north of
Tokyo, and accessible from Ueno station, this smaller
event focuses on home-grown bands.
map pp.100-101.
This offshoot of the Washington DC
blues and jazz club occupies a small basement space near
the station. Apart from blues you can expect to hear jazz,
soul and various Latin sounds here. Ticket prices average
¥4500.
Performances usually 6pm & 7.30pm.
Cotton Club
ίοτϯΫϥϒ
2F Tokia Building, 2-7-3
Marunouchi
T
03 3215 1555,
W
cottonclubjapan.co.jp;
Tokyo station; map p.48.
From the same stable as the
Blue Note
is this ritzy jazz club with top-class performers.
It's run as a supper club with two shows a night, and ticket
prices varying depending on where you sit and who's on.
Tickets ¥5000-12,000.
Shows Mon-Sat 7pm & 9.30pm,
Sun 5pm & 8pm.
JZ Brat
2F Cerulean Tower Tōkyū Hotel, 26-1
Sakuragaoka-chō, Shibuya-ku
T
03 5728 0168,
W
jzbrat.com; Shibuya station; map p.115.
Swanky jazz
club and restaurant in a top Shibuya hotel, with a spacious
contemporary design and a respectable line-up of artists.
Cover charge from ¥3000.
New York Bar
Park Hyatt Hotel, 3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku
T
03 5322 1234; Tochōmae station; map
pp.118-119.
Top-class live jazz plus a glittering night view
of Shinjuku are the attractions of this sophisticated bar
attached to the
Park Hyatt
's
New York Grill
; the cover charge
is waived if you eat there. ¥2000 cover charge.
Shinjuku Pit Inn
৽॓ϐοτΠϯ
B1F Accord Shinjuku
Building, 2-12-4 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
T
03 3354
2024,
W
pit-inn.com; Shinjuku station; map pp.118-
119.
Serious, long-standing jazz club which has been the
launch platform for many top Japanese performers and
which also attracts overseas acts. Shows 2.30-5pm,
¥1300; from 8pm, ¥3000.
16
GAY AND LESBIAN BARS
With over 150 bars and clubs, Shinjuku-Nichōme is the most densely packed area of gay and lesbian venues in Japan,
but clubbing events are held around the city. Check websites for regular monthly standbys such as Shangri-la at
Ageha
(see p.174), Goldfinger (
W
goldfingerparty.com) and Diamond Cutter (
W
diamondcutter.jp), all of which will have a
cover charge of around ¥3000. The “Basics” section of this topic has more general advice on Tokyo's gay and lesbian scene
(see p.29).
3988,
W
advocates-cafe.com; Shinjuku-Sanchōme
station; map pp.118-119.
It's a rare night in Nichōme
that doesn't include drinks here. The bar itself is barely big
enough for ten people, which is why scores of patrons
hang out on the street corner outside, creating a block
party atmosphere.
Daily 6pm-4am, Sun to 1am.
Ì
Arty Farty
ΞʔςΟϑΝʔςΟ
2F Dai 33 Kyutei
Building, 2-11-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
T
03 5362 9720,
W
arty-farty.net; Shinjuku-Sanchōme station; map
pp.118-119.
As the night draws on, this pumping bar with a
small dancefloor gets packed with an up-for-fun crowd. Their
annexe bar, within staggering distance, hits its stride later in
the evening and draws a younger clientele.
Daily 6pm-1am.
HARAJUKU, AOYAMA AND SHIBUYA
Ì
Keivi
έΠϰΟ
4F Yoshino Bldg, 17-10 Sakuragaoka-
chō, Shibuya-ku
T
090 3462 9200,
W
keivi.com; map
p.115.
This friendly bar is worth a look if only to enjoy its
extraordinary decor that includes deer antlers, fairy lights,
Japanese dolls and tropical fish. There's a map on the wall
(and on their website) detailing other gay and lesbian bars
in the area. The small cover charge gets you a choice of snack
to go with reasonably priced drinks.
Daily 6pm-late.
SHINJUKU AND THE WEST
Ì
Advocates Café
ΞυϘέΠπ ΧϑΣ
7th Tenka
Building, 2-18-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
T
03 3358
