A
roughly two-square
block area of
Shinjuku in
Tokyo, on the
border between
Kabukicho and West Shinjuku, just north of the
Odakyu department store and adjacent to the
JR line train tracks on the west side. Almost completely
destroyed by
fire in 1999,
Piss Alley was rebuilt
true to its original
character - a cramped
warren of over 100 dingy
bars and
yakitori-ya catering strictly to regulars.
Flourescent lamps strung between the buildings provide an eerie
light through the
haze of
cigarette smoke and
cooking steam, as respectable-looking
salarymen confidently
vanish into the jumble. It's all very
Blade Runner, and with good reason - this area was a major
inspiration for Ridley Scott's
visuals in the movie.
If you're a Gaijin visiting Tokyo, drop by Piss Alley - it may not be one of Tokyo's prettiest places, but it's certainly one of its most atmospheric. Just don't expect to get a drink - you'll either be overcharged (even by Tokyo standards) or thrown out on your ear.