Sounds in the Park

Beneath the Maple Tree, Sounds of the DJ.
It's always nice to stumble upon a free Sunday afternoon dance party in the park.

15 Minutes of...
For several hundred meters along the edge of Yoyogi Park, bands perform side by side for residents and tourists alike. Some bands attract small gatherings of people, while others might as well be practicing in their garage since no one is really listening. Either way, it's one of the most egalitarian performances spaces I've ever seen. As cities increasingly regulate space, it's surprising to encounter places like this.

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Tokyo Rockabilly.

These buskers in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park routinely mix rockabilly sensibilities with Elvis looks and of course, a few breakdance moves for good measure.

"Uh yeah, make that a dozen peanut butter / banana tempura for delivery. Uh thank ya, thank ya very much."

I've also posted awe-inspiring video footage here.

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Parking on Parks?

The Postcard View.
The Not-Rated-for-Postcard View.

What better way to enjoy the waning days of warmth than on a bed of soft grass in the sunshine? Nestled between Shinjuku and Shibuya, Yoyogi Park provides Tokyo a rare refuge from the built environment. Compared to other major cities, Tokyo rates poorly when it comes to dedicated park space per person. In fact, Tokyo residents have only 5 square meters of park space per person, compared with New York City's 25 square meters per person, for example. See The Trust for Public Land and Tokyo Planning sites for more info.

Sunbathing Cars?
When space is at such a premium, why is grass in one of Tokyo's prime parks used for parking? Try imagining this in New York's Central Park or London's Hyde Park! Whether you think as an economist or naturalist (or both), the situation is mindless.

To be fair, Yoyogi Park has Meiji Shrine - one of the city's most important shrines - and some nice woodland. Additionally, its park status was only established in 1967 after serving as a residential area for U.S. military and later as a site for the Olympics. Still, Tokyo's paltry park system needs to catch up with other world class cities.

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