I'm writing a novel, and wondered if you'd seen in street performers in Tokyo recently? I would love to hear your impressions. Particularly, I'm interested in:
1. Where do they gather? Which neighborhood or park? 2. What are the Japanese reactions to street performers? How about tourist reactions? 3. Is it actually legal? Do the police turn a blind eye, or do they discourage street performance? 4. Are street performers allowed to accept money? Do they actually make much? (I'm thinking the open guitar case at their feet.) 5. What kind of performances have you seen?
I am almost sure I saw a guitar player during my trip there last summer, but my memories are completely fuzzy.
Any first-hand info, or links, would be much appreciated.
thecheapest9022013-11-10T18:29:21Z
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1. They perform usually at a park or in front of a train station. I remember you asked about coming to Yoyogi several months ago. So you know that there is a huge park called Yoyogi Park there.
They perform in a park like that. Or at a smaller park which is here and there in Tokyo.
And there is sometimes a solo musician in front of train station. If you want to know why in front of train station, it's because that's where many Tokyo people walk through.
2. Most of them don't care. But some of them stop and listen to or watch it if the performance is good. I don't know about tourists.
3. Actually, I think performers in front of train stations, have taken a permission from police or JR, or they are not allowed to perform there. Or they may not have taken permission because it's "in front of" train station, not inside. But I'm not sure.
I think you need a permission from park adnimistrator if you want to perform at a park. But some of them do it without permission, maybe.
4. They are actually taking some money. They usually have a box to accept money. I don't think they earn much.
5. Music, dance, juggling, etc.
As personal and recent experience, I saw a female musican playing in front of JR Gotanda station(you know?) a few weeks ago.
I can only offer my insight from 2011 if it helps at all.
1. Typically visual style bands or one man performances which have performed in Shinjuku (near the station), Shibuya (near marukyuu), and Harajuku (near the bridge). 2. They usually have a small audience gathered around them with the people passing by either looking or ignoring. Some of the bands have followings with the fan girls performing furi and all. Naturally, tourists were a bit more interested. 3. I don't think it's illegal. I have seen police talk to them if they are being a nuisance. 4. I have not seen them accepting tips or taking money. They usually gained popularity through this method, people visit their websites, they end up making CDs, etc. 5. Performances I've attended were visual (i.e. JackRose, Maria). Unfortunately, any other live performances I've ever seen I've not really given much of my time to and instead just go on my way.
1. They usually do it outside or near major train stations. Obviously major stations because they want as many people to see them as possible.
2. For both Japanese and tourist, some stop to see others don't blink an eye and continue walking. Same reaction as you find in many places of the world.
3. The activity is prohibited in certain areas without a proper permit. I have personally seen security and police tell magicians/musicians and other performers to stop and leave a particular area because they did not have the correct permit (or their location posed a safety hazard, there is a lot of people in Japan).
Each city in Japan establishes different rules and regulations on how street performers are licensed, or which type of performance needs special licenses to do, especially if performed on a public street or area. For example magicians sometimes use fire in their shows, they need special permission to use that fire in public. Private areas, stores, and private outside areas might have their own requirements.
4. Yes they can accept money. Note that some foreigners do need special immigration permission to accept money depending on what type of status they have.
5. All types of performances from breakdance, J-pop, magic, traditional native American folk music (yes in JAPAN), etc etc, pretty much anything you can think of.