November 1, 2007
Tokyo (JAPAN)

"Roppongi is not Tokyo"

Roppongi is the undisputed capital for foreigners and expats in Japan. One can find Irish pubs, British bars, American restaurants, French bread, Italian pizzas, German sausages, English bookstores, organic super-markets, various embassies, and clubs full of attractive Japanese girls looking for a foreign boyfriend. It thus serves as the calling beacon for traveling businessmen, tourists struggling to cope with the lack of facilities catering to them, and expats in search of good company. I have only been here on a few occasions, but I decided Halloween night would be as good a time as any to explore the area.

Accompanied by Julien and another French friend of his, we met at a noodle shop several blocks from Roppongi station - noodle dishes are one of the few meals that don't cost an arm and a leg, and are often surprisingly good. Afterward, we walked the streets taking in the various 'sights' - everything from TGI Fridays to Outback Steakhouse - and ended up popping into a British pub for a few drinks. The prices were somewhat inflated, and the bar was far too clean to be an authentic British pub, but it was fun nonetheless. After a couple hours of drinking we decided to try a new place as there were no Halloween festivities going on, and all the people were Japanese businessmen who just got off work.

The streets of Roppongi didn't offer much to be excited about as we were targeted by other foreigners as prime suckers for the over-priced bars, karaoke rooms, and clubs that are run by foreigners. I have already heard several stories about how people  new to Japan can get sucked into such schemes and end up having to pay hundreds of dollars when the night is over. We must have been approached at least 20 times by large men who wanted us to check out their club, but the sketchy nature of these places means I will likely never pass through their doors. At one point, I remember stopping to look around, and I was sorely disappointed with the whole concept of Roppongi. While it obviously serves a useful purpose for those who want a less Japanese version of Tokyo, it is not the kind of place someone living in Tokyo will come to. Shibuya and Shinjuku both have a better night-life scene, and the food at Shinagawa or Ebisu is far better.

All this probably means very little to anyone who has not been to Tokyo, or indeed to anyone who has not heard of the "bright-lights and fun nights" of Roppongi, but it may be useful for anyone planning a trip in the future. If nothing else, remember one important thing: Roppongi is not Tokyo, and it is probably the only district I don't enjoy.