PICKUP 高円寺

If, like me, you have a thing for trainers*, then the best place to go in Koenji is "Pick Up".
Located just off PAL.
Turn right past Village Vanguard and head down that narrow street.
There's a few good shops for new and used gear along this street, but that's for another time...

Pick Up has a good selection of trainers, some clothing and bags.
Trainers are deadstock, new and used.
The prices are very reasonable and they do have some vintage, which are, as to be expected, a little more pricey.
They have a website, but they have more trainers in shop than is featured on their site.

http://www.pickup-koenji.com/



*Trainers = sneakers for the US viewers

Nothing to see here...

So, you're out on a Sunday drive with your wife and baby in the car...when you suddenly decide to mount the curb and flip your car onto its side.
The blokes from the delivery company, in the green jackets, were quickly on the scene to rescue this family of three, unharmed.

After a quick interview session with the driver to determine what a complete fuckwit he is, everyone will be back home for an evening of shit Japanese TV (if you've ever seen a variety show here then you'll know what I'm on about) and a cup of cold green tea.

Koenji Awa Odori 2010

Pics from Sunday.

Koenji Awa Odori 2010

Some pics of 2010 Awa Odori.
Friday and Saturday night.

Koenji Awa Odori 2010

28th and 29th August marked the 54th Koenji Awa Odori.
Plus a little smaller festival on 27th, Friday night.

If you don't know about this festival, then you can see more from previous years in the links and whatnot on the right.

The festival is important for Koenji as it keeps places in business.
There's well over a million people, not including residents, such as myself, pass through the ticket gates to see it.
They spend a lot of money on beer and food, and it really is good for the local community.
Koenji is a place that needs this sort of business.

The last two years have pissed down for the whole weekend.
This year broke that trend, and Japan's summer unleashed a sweltering 35 degree heat.
Being from England, I'm not one that minds the rain, but not when Im carrying over 120,000yen (600 pounds in real money) of camera kit around.
When the sun set, the humidity hung around like a bad dose of herpes...not that I'd know about that.

Anyway, as is the norm with the Koenji Awa Odori, it made for a great weekend.
If you're in Tokyo during the last weekend of August, don't miss it.

Some more pics to follow in later posts...for now, I'll post just the two above.

Down on the Streets

Random night in Koenji.
North side hangout.

Usual spill-out after a gig, brings local musicians onto the streets to jam.

Koenji Daidogei - 1st May 2010

Grimy Backstreets

Character-building backstreets around Koenji.
Small bars and restaurants taking up space off the beaten track.
In the third picture down, there is even a tiny bar at at the dead-end.
You can see the lantern and the sign outside.

Barracuda

When I was a kid, my friends older brother had an ongoing collection of American muscle cars.
Quite a rare sight in the streets of England at the time.
Moreso these days.
An even rarer sight in the congested streets of Tokyo.

The Hot Wheels shop in Koenji is not only home to a fine selection of toy cars, but also some real ones.
Not much finer than a Plymouth Barracuda standing shop front.
Needless to say, she's loud.
If she's not a Barracuda, then I stand corrected...but I'm sure she is.

South exit.
Turn left.
Keep walking straight along the side of the train tracks.

Cheers Shot Bar

I was contacted by Chester who has opened a new bar in Koenji.
Keen to support the local businesses, so here's the link.

http://www.barcheers.jp/

Music Of the 70's, 80's, 90's.
Hip-hop, R&B, Disco, Reggae, House, Trance, and more.

"Fuck Off" aka "Welcome"

This bar, "Locohead", in Koenji notches up as my first pub that I've seen, or at least recall with a smashed window like this.

Not quite "put-through" and "boarded up" as properly demonstrated in England by the English on a Saturday night, but nevertheless, a good effort.
7/10.

Koenji Daidogei 2010

Doesn't seem like a year since the last round of street performances hit Koenji.
First weekend of May and it all will happen again.

http://www.koenji-daidogei.com/