Garrity's Japan

Revisiting Roppongi

When I first moved to Japan in 1958, Tokyo was, as it is today, the center of action. At that time, Ginza was a hub for all sorts of amusement, with very large coffee shops such as the ACB and the Tennessee Coffee Shops, which held several hundred people and featured American-style Country and Western as well as Hawaiian music.

Further up towards Shinbashi and across from Yurakucho Station was the Nichigeki Theater, a circular building which seemed entirely devoted to the entertainment industry. Inside the building was the Albion Club, a crowded establishment geared towards American G.I.s, with dancing waitresses at every table. Moving further towards Shinbashi was the Dai-ichi Hotel, famous for the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece design. Behind the Dai-ichi Hotel was the archway beginnings of Shinbashi Station. Located in the archway was the Club New Yorker, a direct competitor to the Albion Club, also with dancing waitresses and G.I. clientele.

If one wanted more entertainment, Shinagawa was a short taxi ride away. It was nothing like it is today. There was darkness on the oceanside of the railroad tracks, but today there lies another world there.

The complete article can be found in Issue #277 of the Tokyo Journal. Click here to order from Amazon.