I used to be lucky to lately be on a enterprise journey to Taiwan. You already know, the real-life job once I’m not dwelling out my fantasy as an precise online game journalist. But it surely was throughout the planning phases of this journey that it occurred to me, I could not have a greater alternative to go to Japan, what with it being cheaper than flying out from the UK. As a spot, it has all the time been high of my checklist of dream locations to go to. This was earlier than I used to be even conscious of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon video games.
Then, as I’ve retold the story numerous occasions, Yakuza 0 got here out, modified my complete perspective on gaming, and solely made Tokyo and Japan that rather more of a dream vacation spot.
I went forward and booked a 5 day extension to the enterprise journey to go to Tokyo and the real-life Kabukichō, the situation that Kamurocho and most of the early video games are based mostly on. Even going so far as reserving a lodge proper within the centre of the red-light district.
My lodge doubles because the Millenium Tower in Kamurocho. It nonetheless manages to come back full with a cinema, a Gindaco and lots of different related websites. The actual-life equal does even have a life-size Godzilla head poking out of the outside terrace of the lodge. That’s as a result of the fictional Namamichi Avenue is called Godzilla Avenue in the true world. That will sound bizarre that the real-life model has a extra uncommon identify however hey, Japan.
The overwhelming majority of Kamurocho and Kabukicho line-up completely if a map of them, so the subsequent avenue alongside could be Tenkaichi Avenue and Ichiban-gai Avenue respectively. It’s right here the place we get one of many extra iconic constructions.
The crimson gate is synonymous with the world so its inclusion within the earliest Yakuza video games merely made sense.
Additionally alongside this avenue is a aspect avenue. It is probably not as iconic because the crimson gate, however to long-time followers it marks the very starting of the collection. Subsequent to Bar Serena, the very first moments of the franchise may be witnessed.
Again over on Nakamichi Avenue, there are a number of actions that the Like a Dragon collection could be very well-known for: buying and karaoke.
These karaoke locations may be discovered on the very same nook, each in real-life and in the event you had been following the map of Kamurocho. I feel this was the purpose the place I realised simply how a lot consideration to element had gone into recreating Kabukicho.
Much like for the Don Quijote retailer close by.
And if anybody is , sure it was taking part in the theme tune on repeat.
There have been a pair extra stops on my tour of Kabukicho nonetheless to absorb. Having spent hours wandering these streets in recreation, I knew which approach to go with out the usage of a map. Let me let you know, it’s a very surreal expertise, like actually getting into your TV to discover an space you’ve got spent lots of of hours just about touring round. However no journey to Kabukicho could be full with no journey to Theatre Sq..
Sadly, Membership SEGA now not exists in the true world. It was robust to think about the latest recreation within the collection that options Kamurocho in such element, so most of those pictures are from Yakuza Kiwami 2.
My ultimate cease was a spot known as the Golden Gai, recognized within the video games because the Champion District. It’s a tiny space with round 300 bars in it. Many of those bars can match lower than ten folks in earlier than they attain capability and as such it’s extra related to locals frequenting slightly than vacationers. The small nature of the bars assist create an actual sense of group and lots of patrons will probably be on pleasant phrases with the employees that work there. However, in a bar that small, it appears like you haven’t any choice however to strike up dialog.
As soon as once more, Golden Gai was in the very same location as it’s within the Like a Dragon video games, discovered to the northeast.
As I used to be wandering again to my lodge, I took one ultimate image that initially I all the time thought was a bit tongue-in-cheek on this planet of Like a Dragon. But it surely wasn’t!
Select your favorite host from these huge billboards. I didn’t need to keep round right here too lengthy although, there have been loads of barkers making an attempt to get me into their institutions to satisfy a few of their ladies. Suppose I ought to have anticipated that, staying within the red-light district.
It might have solely been a short while in Tokyo however I ventured exterior of Kabukicho as nicely. And I plan on returning at some point quickly. Fingers crossed for one more enterprise journey to Asia sooner or later.
If all this has whet your urge for food to lastly bounce into this strange franchise, then you need to. Can I counsel Yakuza 0 on Xbox, a prequel to the principle collection but additionally maybe the strongest entry? Or any of them actually, as they’re all on Xbox Sport Go so that you can bounce in at any level.
