Tokyo: An Overview

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the most populous city in the world. Anyone can tell you that, but it's a completely different thing to know that academically and to actually experience living there. The youth in more rural areas and smaller cities all idealize moving to the Big City; some even work up the courage to save up and just do it, leave, make the clean break.

Living in Tokyo can be a huge culture shock even for other Japanese citizens visiting for the first time. Think of the start of Persona 5 and how difficult it was to even navigate Shibuya Station. There's a widely held understanding that taking the wrong train or exiting the wrong side of Shinjuku Station can cost you a whole day. Navigating a city where you don't know anyone and has tens of thousands of people per square kilometer is a completely daunting task!

Of course, many people live their whole lives in Tokyo and can't imagine living anywhere else. Budgeting so you can afford a hangout with your friends at the local cafe, or a trip to Akihabara for some shopping, or that one big trip a year for Comiket, is just normal. The youth culture in Tokyo is vibrant, with entire wards full of dedicated participants in each aspect of it.

Tokyo comprises a whole 23 special wards, and enormous outlying neighborhoods and cities that remain a part of the Greater Tokyo Metropolitan area properly. On the Velvet Room MUSH, our grid comprises only a small slice of everything that Tokyo actually is, mostly attempting to include the most major areas of Persona 5.

That does not mean that one has to confine themselves here upon our grid. If you wish to roleplay within other parts of Tokyo to show off certain events throughout the year, then by all means. However, we encourage our players to craft their character's lives around those that might travel to the parts of the grid we have built.

A salaryman whose entire life is built upon day in day out travel within the Adachi Ward of Japan without going anywhere else might have significant trouble getting involved in the supernatural events of the grid.

With that in mind, let's discuss the Tokyo of our grid.

Tokyo - Wards and Neighborhoods

• Shinjuku - Officially known as 'Shinjuku City,' Shinjuku is the enormous government district of Tokyo, with the largest railway station in the world serving the greatest number of people each day. Here, like in Persona 5, we've made the choice of our focus being upon its infamous Red Light District, given the game's focus upon societal issues that face the youth. Various social links in the game focus upon how the youth are predated upon by shady touts, hosts, and other criminals that take advantage of their feelings to draw them into a life they never wanted. It's not all bad, though, as the character of Lala Escargot shows; sometimes the Red Light District is simply one of the few places where marginalized people can be themselves in a very conservative society.

• Akihabara - Known as the 'Electric Town.' Akihabara or 'Akiba' is a neighborhood in the Chiyoda special ward, specially dedicated to geek culture. Here, gamers and anime lovers unite in a place where their culture is so mainstream that it circles back to being cool again. This neighborhood also boasts some of the biggest electronics and appliance sales in Tokyo. Persona 5 makes a special effort to deconstruct certain aspects of gamer and otaku culture in this place while still celebrating it.

• Kichijoji - A special neighborhood in the suburbs of Musashino City, often known as the most desirable place to live in the Greater Tokyo Metro Area for opportunities to spend leisure time, beautiful neighborhoods, and expansive, friendly shopping districts. Persona 5 Royal makes this a whole additional area within it, known for its hang-out spots where one can play darts and billiards at the Penguin Sniper or spend a night listening to smooth jazz at the Jazz Jin. Given the atmosphere, it's understandable why characters in the game go here to relax, catch a meal at its food stands, or even learn meditation at the local Buddhist temple.

• Yongen-Jaya - A fictional neighborhood in the Setagaya special ward, which is one of the most heavily populated residential wards; Persona 5's protagonist lives out his probation here at Cafe Leblanc. It gives off a cozy neighborhood vibe, with local markets, small businesses and cafes surrounding both housing and small apartments. Here, the Yongen-Jaya Station connects to both Shibuya in Tokyo and Sumaru City, located southwest of Tokyo down the bay.

• Aoyama-Itchome - East of Shibuya Station on the grid, Aoyama-Itchome is more a 'station' in the sense that you go there to get to somewhere else. Its bright neighborhoods and shopping streets slowly fade into the oppressive vibe of Shujin Academy and serve to remind many teenagers how school life can be a prison for those who do not live 'perfectly.' Aoyama-Itchome Station connects to Tatsumi Port Island on our grid through the 'Express Train by the Sea,' a high speed rail that can take one to Iwatodai City and Tatsumi Port Island in under a half hour.

Shibuya

Shibuya is one of the special wards of Tokyo, a centerpiece of Persona 5, and the starting location of our grid, and is therefore big enough to deserve its own expanded section. Once a railway terminal of little note, that all changed in the 70's as competing development groups decided to focus their efforts on transforming the Shibuya Ward to appeal to the youth of Tokyo. This has spilled over into the Harajuku neighborhood, which has become the beating heart of fashion with its many boutiques and secondhand stores.

Culture of Shibuya

"Shibuya is for the youth." Or at least, those who desire to profit off the youth. That fact seems immediately apparent to those who walk down Central Street and its many shops, boutiques, cafes, arcades, and theaters.

Of course, first one has to get there, which is a walk across the busy pedestrian crosswalk from the Buchiko exit of Shibuya Station. The place is iconic to the imagery of what Tokyo is and how the rest of the world perceives it, same as how many people see Times Square as a symbol for New York City.

Tourism is high, and one is likely to see several tourist groups taking selfies and enjoying the atmosphere around. You might even see foreign workers that know at least some Japanese working part-time to draw people into local businesses.

The Shibuya nightlife can be especially busy, purely because many Tokyo teens and young adults fully do not have time to spare during the day. Such fun can thus often be reserved for the night in its many clubs and bars--and the love hotels that line a nearby lane.

Shibuya as a whole is slightly more progressive than Japanese mainstream political culture, owed in large part to it being understood as a place for the younger generations. Many of the youth in the region fully do not believe that the government represents them or their interests; they see them instead as a group of old men in it for themselves. However, that doesn't mean that even young people aren't sometimes turning their head to listen to what Representative Shido has to say whenever he comes on the news.

Largely, Shibuya is considered safe, but dark rumors have spread recently of young teens who were offered an easy job for a big payday only to be drawn into owing a large debt to some shady criminals that demand it be paid with interest, or else. Despite that, police activity in the area hasn't increased. Curious, that.

Locations in Shibuya

• Central Street - The birthplace of many fashion trends; a street packed with shops and businesses, arcades and theaters that all have a lean towards youth trends. Back alley shops can be varied and eclectic, catering anywhere from Persona Users' desire for Skill Cards to military otaku's desire for realistic model guns.

• Buchiko Exit - The most famous exit of Shibuya Station due to its statue of Buchiko, the loyal dog whose spirit has captured the hearts of Japanese citizens. A film is currently in the works, but it's tentatively named Dachiko's Story as they were unable to get the rights. Some rumors have begun to spread recently that if one leaves food as tribute on the statue for three nights at 3 AM in a row without getting caught, then Cerberus will come out of Hell and grant your wish. However, given that the station is still busy even then, this rumor is difficult to confirm...

• Harajuku - A neighborhood of Shibuya Ward between Shibuya and Shinjuku Stations, it has become the current center of fashion culture. Backstreets are lined with boutiques, cafes, and secondhand shops that can cater even to shoppers on a budget. The many squares and parks are popular areas for the youth to gather to express themselves; one might find fashionistas beside dancing rockabillies as just a charming part of the Harajuku experience.

• Yoyogi Park - Formerly the site of an Imperial Army parade ground and the American army base during the occupation post-WWII, Yoyogi Park is now a beautiful, expansive park that is a popular place for cosplayers, hobbyists, and martial artists alike. In the spring, it is the biggest site in Tokyo to gather for cherry blossom viewing. Better get there early, though, or you fully won't find a spot.

• Meiji Shrine - The largest shrine in Tokyo, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shouken. Surrounded by a beautiful forested area next to Yoyogi Park, it is a popular spot for students to come and pray before the big test, but even more popular during the New Year for people to pay their respects and get a fortune for the year ahead.