I used to be lucky to just lately be on a enterprise journey to Taiwan. You realize, the real-life job once I’m not residing out my fantasy as an precise online game journalist. Nevertheless it was in the course of the planning levels of this journey that it occurred to me, I’ll 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 at all times been prime of my record 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 instances, Yakuza 0 got here out, modified my total 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 placement that Kamurocho and most of the early video games are primarily based 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 plenty of different related websites. The true-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 Road is called Godzilla Road in the actual world. That will sound bizarre that the real-life model has a extra uncommon title however hey, Japan.
The overwhelming majority of Kamurocho and Kabukicho line-up completely if taking a look at a map of them, so the subsequent avenue alongside can be Tenkaichi Road and Ichiban-gai Road respectively. It’s right here the place we get one of many extra iconic buildings.
The purple gate is synonymous with the realm so its inclusion within the earliest Yakuza video games merely made sense.
Additionally alongside this avenue is a aspect avenue. It will not be as iconic because the purple gate, however to long-time followers it marks the very starting of the sequence. Subsequent to Bar Serena, the very first moments of the franchise could be witnessed.
Again over on Nakamichi Road, there are just a few actions that the Like a Dragon sequence may be very well-known for: buying and karaoke.
These karaoke locations could be discovered on the very same nook, each in real-life and in case you have been following the map of Kamurocho. I believe 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 sport, I knew which option to go with out the usage of a map. Let me inform you, it’s a very surreal expertise, like actually entering into your TV to discover an space you’ve spent lots of of hours nearly touring round. However no journey to Kabukicho can be full with no journey to Theatre Sq..
Sadly, Membership SEGA now not exists in the actual world. It was robust to think about the latest sport within the sequence that options Kamurocho in such element, so most of those pictures are from Yakuza Kiwami 2.
My last 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 moderately than vacationers. The small nature of the bars assist create an actual sense of neighborhood and plenty of patrons will probably be on pleasant phrases with the workers that work there. However, in a bar that small, it appears like you don’t have any possibility 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 last image that in the first place I at all times thought was a bit tongue-in-cheek on this planet of Like a Dragon. Nevertheless it wasn’t!
Select your favorite host from these large billboards. I didn’t wish to keep round right here too lengthy although, there have been loads of barkers making an attempt to get me into their institutions to fulfill 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 outdoors of Kabukicho as nicely. And I plan on returning in the future quickly. Fingers crossed for one more enterprise journey to Asia sooner or later.
If all this has whet your urge for food to lastly leap into this strange franchise, then it’s best to. Can I counsel Yakuza 0 on Xbox, a prequel to the principle sequence but additionally maybe the strongest entry? Or any of them actually, as they’re all on Xbox Recreation Cross so that you can leap in at any level.