Osaka and Tokyo

[Huell Howser]

Jive - Gimp - The Drew

update:

Haven't been posting on Slap for a few months because I have been super busy but I moved to Toyohashi about 3 months ago! Been loving it out here in Japan. I have been to watercolor a few times just to say whats up and nerd out over some skating with the owner, he is a super cool dude. I fucked up my knee last year and ended up having to get surgery so haven't been skating since I have been here. Plan to get a board within the next few months though - would be down to meet up for some skating/beers/food/hanging out with some fellow slappers if we can make it happen!

also have definitely passed that Tahara DIY park a few times on my way to work haha. looks awesome

[fulfillthedream]

any pals living there now? im gonna be out there around october 3rd. Got a homie in tokyo who used to live there so i kinda have an idea of what i wanna skate but would be cool to meet up with some people living out there to skate or hang out. thanks in advance

[Grind King Rims]

I'm in Tokyo until Friday, any recommendations?

[doyle]

I'm in Tokyo until Friday, any recommendations?

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Party like it's 1999 (or even 89 cuz she was blowing up during the bubble era). If you were travelling (way) south, I 'd probably be able to show you around but lots more slap heads on here know Tokyo a lot better than I do.
https://mortartokyo.stores.jp/ is my fav shop in Tokyo but other than that all my recommendations would have very little to do with skating ...

[benboardbreaker]

Hi guys. first time posting on travels guide. I just booked a trip to Tokyo in the easter holiday. Hopefully the covid restrictions have been lifted by then.

My question to the pals on here. What neighbourhoods are preferable to book a hotel in with good bars, food and night life?

second question. What skate shops are worth visiting. I know they have nerdy scenes of the different genres of skating like hesh or east coast skating etc. I know they have FTC and supreme but what else are worth checking out? sneaker shops?

what is the hang out/meet up spot, where skaters come and skate and drink a beer?

Any thing I need to try or see while there that is outside of skating that people on here recommend?

Best regards from Copenhagen, Denmark!

[Jive Turkey]

Already heaps of info in the Japan thread
https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=108817.0

Couple of quick answers:

Pager is a new shop in Jinbocho. Haven't been yet but looks pretty dope.
https://goo.gl/maps/718HVxqwtwSpsu627

FTC and Supreme essentially boutiques.

If you can find a place to stay in the Sangenchaya area you'll be in an area with a ton of places to go at night.
Mostly young people, lots of skaters in that area. Also has parks nearby to meet up at.
https://goo.gl/maps/QTAYYHkX6pVo3ykG7

[SaySo]

If you wind up staying west of Shinjuku, in Nishi-Ogikubo, my friend opened up a shop called Riverbirch earlier this year:

https://riverbirchskateshop.com/

Kichijoji is a good area to stay as well, a bit out of the center of Tokyo (roughly 15 minutes from Shinjuku by train) but there are a lot of skaters in that area. Bars as well. And a few parks too (but the parks are a bit of a pain to get to):

Musashino Park: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Musashino+Park/@35.6894911,139.5165405,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e57b2ab3fd2f:0x81e9d374c16603c9!8m2!3d35.6894868!4d139.5187292

Koganei Park:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Koganei+Park/@35.7162815,139.5121957,14.88z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e5f2ce0fb48f:0x26c80b3e809bb2!8m2!3d35.7165604!4d139.517711

[SaySo]

If you wind up staying west of Shinjuku, in Nishi-Ogikubo, my friend opened up a shop called Riverbirch earlier this year:

https://riverbirchskateshop.com/

Kichijoji is a good area to stay as well, a bit out of the center of Tokyo (roughly 15 minutes from Shinjuku by train) but there are a lot of skaters in that area. Bars as well. And a few parks too (but the parks are a bit of a pain to get to):

Musashino Park: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Musashino+Park/@35.6894911,139.5165405,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e57b2ab3fd2f:0x81e9d374c16603c9!8m2!3d35.6894868!4d139.5187292

Koganei Park:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Koganei+Park/@35.7162815,139.5121957,14.88z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e5f2ce0fb48f:0x26c80b3e809bb2!8m2!3d35.7165604!4d139.517711

I've heard of, but never been to, a park in Nakano Ward:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+lot,+4-ch%C5%8Dme-9-4+Nakano,+Nakano+City,+Tokyo+164-0001/@35.7062568,139.6614752,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018f29105e7e813:0x2631c9d825f93e7a!8m2!3d35.7062525!4d139.6636639

Maybe Jiveturkey has been there? IIRC, it's more in his neck of the woods.

[disclosed]

Expand Quote

If you wind up staying west of Shinjuku, in Nishi-Ogikubo, my friend opened up a shop called Riverbirch earlier this year:

https://riverbirchskateshop.com/

Kichijoji is a good area to stay as well, a bit out of the center of Tokyo (roughly 15 minutes from Shinjuku by train) but there are a lot of skaters in that area. Bars as well. And a few parks too (but the parks are a bit of a pain to get to):

Musashino Park: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Musashino+Park/@35.6894911,139.5165405,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e57b2ab3fd2f:0x81e9d374c16603c9!8m2!3d35.6894868!4d139.5187292

Koganei Park:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Koganei+Park/@35.7162815,139.5121957,14.88z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e5f2ce0fb48f:0x26c80b3e809bb2!8m2!3d35.7165604!4d139.517711

[close]

I've heard of, but never been to, a park in Nakano Ward:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+lot,+4-ch%C5%8Dme-9-4+Nakano,+Nakano+City,+Tokyo+164-0001/@35.7062568,139.6614752,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018f29105e7e813:0x2631c9d825f93e7a!8m2!3d35.7062525!4d139.6636639

Maybe Jiveturkey has been there? IIRC, it's more in his neck of the woods.

nakano skatepark closed in 2020. it was just a temporary park. they had premission to use some ground they where renovating for a certain time. it was organized by Fatbros skateshop that is located in Nakano. i loved their mini tho.



i allways stayed in Koenji. it's a nice and chill area with loads of vintage clothes and punk records. some spots underneat the train tracks between Koenji and Asagaya. and some alternative bars and DIY spaces.
also a short train ride to both Shinjuku/Harajuku/Shibuya one direction and Kichijoji/Koganei the other direction.
sadly the place i allways stayed at went under during the pandemic, so i don't know where i'll stay if i ever go back. but Nakano and Koenji feel like home for me.

theres a really small skateshop in Harajuku called Golden Age, owner speaks fluent english and sells mostly Scram, Heroin and Blast. i love that place. worth a visit if you like big boards and or skating bowls.

[Jive Turkey]

Expand Quote

If you wind up staying west of Shinjuku, in Nishi-Ogikubo, my friend opened up a shop called Riverbirch earlier this year:

https://riverbirchskateshop.com/

Kichijoji is a good area to stay as well, a bit out of the center of Tokyo (roughly 15 minutes from Shinjuku by train) but there are a lot of skaters in that area. Bars as well. And a few parks too (but the parks are a bit of a pain to get to):

Musashino Park: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Musashino+Park/@35.6894911,139.5165405,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e57b2ab3fd2f:0x81e9d374c16603c9!8m2!3d35.6894868!4d139.5187292

Koganei Park:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Koganei+Park/@35.7162815,139.5121957,14.88z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018e5f2ce0fb48f:0x26c80b3e809bb2!8m2!3d35.7165604!4d139.517711

[close]

I've heard of, but never been to, a park in Nakano Ward:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parking+lot,+4-ch%C5%8Dme-9-4+Nakano,+Nakano+City,+Tokyo+164-0001/@35.7062568,139.6614752,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6018f29105e7e813:0x2631c9d825f93e7a!8m2!3d35.7062525!4d139.6636639

Maybe Jiveturkey has been there? IIRC, it's more in his neck of the woods.

Sadly never got a chance. Covid hit and then it got shut down.

Riverbirch looks pretty cool. My brother-in-law lives in NishiOgikubo; I'll check it out next time we go visit his fam.

[Gray Imp Sausage Metal]

Koenji was such a great neighborhood back in the day! Check out other shops like Mortar and Beacon, they stock lots of cool proddy

[disclosed]

never heard of Beacon i think. have heard of a hair salon/skateshop combination in tokyo but not that one.
Mortar i've been to but i dont really feel that place. a bit to trendy for my crusty ass, but i can see why people love it. do love how they build those concrete obstacles upstairs.

[benboardbreaker]

Hey guys thank you for your advice. I will also take advice and read the Japan thread.

Arigato gozaimasu Pals!