The Ghetto in Shin-Okubo: A Love For Skate Culture

21 Jan 2008 Category: Features, Japan, Street Art

The Ghetto in Shin-Okubo: A Love For Skate Culture

In one of the little side streets of Shin-Okubo, you walk by a former Love Hotel decorated with graffiti all over - The Ghetto! Take a look inside... and bring your skateboard.

The first time I stumbled upon The Ghetto it was actually not in its physical environment of Shin-Okubo - but in a vivid Flickr group. The thing is, you encounter Love Hotels, Asian restaurants and loads of shops selling star stickers of Korean singers in this diverse neighbourhood. But you wouldn’t fanthom finding a former Love Hotel turned into a graffiti space with several skater shops and a bar - and a skate ramp in the lobby. After a renovation with lots of care for every detail, the space opened finally more than a year ago. Lovely! PingMag had a chat with skater Akihiko “AKO” Ohashi who runs it now since his grandmother handed over the reigns.

Written by Verena
Translated by Kevin Mcgue

The whole spot in a nice fish eye view by 14-2-1. Courtesy of 14-2-1.

First, please, tell us a bit about yourself!

When I was 16, I was SK8ing with a lot with friends and around that time I started playing in bands as well. Back then, I was playing hard rock/heavy metal, but now I am playing guitar with the Texas and Chainsaw. I met people from all different backgrounds at The Ghetto, which has really broadened my perspective.

Detail of the outside wall with lovely graffiti done by ZYS.

And another great one next to it by Seven.

And how did The Ghetto itself get started?

My parents manage a company that runs hotels. So, one day I heard that they were going to close one in Shin-Okubo. I had been thinking about the idea that eventually became The Ghetto for a while and decided that the time had come to do it - and so I signed the lease. Meaning I am renting it now from the company managed by my parents.


A fence can be an ideal spray canvas as well… The Ghetto’s backyard as done by QP.

Next to the lobby: skateboards lined up for the ramp on a busy Saturday night.

What is its very special concept?

I wanted to make the kind of place that has wild parties like I have seen in old movies, with roots in graffiti, skating, and hip hop/rock culture…

The ramp in the former lobby in another fish eye view by 14-2-1. Courtesy of 14-2-1.

… which is now an art space for graffiti writers, includes a ramp, and features shops in a West Coast vibe…

The backbone of The Ghetto really consists of a lot of artists with various cultural influences. Some may be influenced by West Coast culture, but there is also a strong feeling of Made in Tokyo, Tokyo is best in there. But more than being influenced by something from the past, I think we are creating a message for the future.


Watching the folks on the ramp, inside the lobby.

Action! Courtesy of AKO.

Where does the name, The Ghetto, come from?

My friend Motoyan came up with it. He is the leader of the hard core bike team No Future Krew. As he sees it, this backstreet area of Shinjuku is full of hundreds of small Korean restaurants, and in the middle of it all we have our isolated little underground place. So ghetto was really the perfect way to describe it, and then the name took on special meaning. Later on, I had the chance to meet some some of the members of the Rolling Stones when they were touring in Japan, and we got Keith Richards to design our logo. [See it on Ping Flickr.]

Look at these neon stencils by EXTINCT! The walls around the ramp are literally plastered with awesome street art.

Keith Richards, really? This sharply drawn logo is all over the place! And who helped to renovate the house?

My family and friends, and also people from the shops that eventually moved in. We also got support from graffiti artists and people I know who are craftsmen and carpenters.

So, you and your friends have your own shops now in here…

It started with friends, and those friends spread the word. I also put an announcement on mixi. And when we opened, I didn’t know about 80 percent of the people that joined.

Decor at “Scatter Brain,” one of the shops on the second floor.

Look, an old sticker vending machine!

And an eye-popping neon painting by krnpx, exhibited at 100gallery on the second floor.

What was important for you with this project?

Once I start a project, I really want to continue with it and put my heart into it. Rather than copying someone else, I wanted to express something based on my own experience. If you lean too far into something, or if you thoughts are not clear, then you naturally get separated from the things you are really interested in.

The Love Hotel in it’s previous life… Courtesy of AKO.

And which street artists did you ask to paint the walls of the building?

The first sprayers were QP, EKYS [some pics shown here], TOM, ZYS [more images here], SEVEN, MASK. And later we had USUGROW, HAN, ISHIBASI.


…until AKO and his friends got their mittens on it… Courtesy of AKO.

…and started building the wooden ramp in the lobby. Courtesy of AKO.

Do the neighbours like The Ghetto?

They look at it with mixed feelings. I think some of them are a bit put out because they want to live in a quiet hood and now there are a lot of kids coming to visit us.

Who designed the interior with the skate ramp?

I know a carpenter who used to be a professional skater and left everything up to him.


He runs it: Akihiko “AKO” Ohashi. His “uncloak” shop is on the second floor.

He has the nice “Scatter Brain” skate shop, complete with an altar: Shinsuke Goto.

He has the little 100gallery: SIG (right) with his friend.

Do you skate there too?

Yes, sometimes I practice in the mornings.

How is the Tokyo graffiti scene doing these days?

I really couldn’t say. Graffiti is like a tattoo the city gives itself. It is up to the city to decide what direction it will take…

Any recent changes or new styles you have seen?

I am not sure if it is a new style or not, but QP’s stuff always has fresh ideas. [More from QP here.]

So is this a legal space for street art?

Yes. When street artists want to do something big that would overlap earlier works, they have to get my permission. That is only fair. Also, this is not a space for practising, the quality of the work is very high.


More intriguing art in the doorway: The upper half is done by Eshimasa, the lower part goes to Tomokuni…

…and another delicious one from USUGROW, again in the ramp.

By the way, does your grandmother like the new building?

If she saw it, I think she would be left speechless.

I bet! Thank you, AKO!

More visual pleasure here: Have a look at the Flickr groups about Tokyo Graffiti and street art in Japan.

Info:
The Ghetto
Address: 1-1-10 Hyakuninchou, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Map.
Phone: 03-5287-6213

74 Comments

  1. cool! wish to visit one day back in Japan

    Posted by: coq on January 21st, 2008 at 8:22 pm

  2. Wow! That’s beautiful! Impressive graffiti!

    Posted by: Akai on January 22nd, 2008 at 6:40 am

  3. Where’s the logo that Keith Richards drew? I want to see it!

    Posted by: claire on January 22nd, 2008 at 8:50 am

  4. That looks so cool.

    Posted by: Siggy on January 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 pm

  5. Nice one Ping. Gorgeous pics and a great interview with Ako San and the team! The Ghetto is a truly unique Tokyo space and well worth a visit.

    We are super proud to support Eshimasa, Tomokuni and other Ghetto friends on TOKYOMADE.

    Posted by: TOKYOMADE on January 22nd, 2008 at 7:46 pm

  6. when it gets warmer, i’m going for a session!

    Posted by: Vicente on January 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm

  7. Everything I see on this website makes me want to visit Japan even more.

    This graffiti is amazing!

    Posted by: Leyton Jay on January 24th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

  8. I own a skateshop and skateboard company in NYC. If anyone owns a skateshop in Tokyo or Japan and wants to order boards let me know. Would be cool to have our boards in Japan.

    Mike
    moensy@msn.com

    Posted by: Mike on February 19th, 2008 at 7:31 am

  9. thats a great work!1!!!

    Posted by: pooja on March 16th, 2008 at 5:05 pm

  10. This is SO COOL. I live in the USA, and this makes me want to come to Japan even more.

    Posted by: adriana on April 24th, 2008 at 6:47 am

  11. Oh that place looks frikkin’ awesome, especially now that me and my friends are looking for a new skate park to hang out at….

    Posted by: Nina on May 30th, 2008 at 5:47 am

  12. [...] working on our skate project, we stumbled upon The Ghetto–an former love hotel in Japan that was converted into a micro skate mecca complete with a [...]

    Posted by: Nobby Lobby : Peacock Nine on August 29th, 2008 at 1:43 am

  13. how do u get there from shin okubo station?

    Posted by: angelique on September 6th, 2008 at 9:03 pm

  14. [...] The first time I stumbled upon The Ghetto it was actually not in its physical environment of Shin-Okubo - but in a vivid Flickr group. The thing is, you encounter Love Hotels, Asian restaurants and loads of shops selling star stickers of Korean singers in this diverse neighbourhood. But you wouldn’t fanthom finding a former Love Hotel turned into a graffiti space with several skater shops and a bar - and a skate ramp in the lobby. After a renovation with lots of care for every detail, the space opened finally more than a year ago. Lovely! PingMag had a chat with skater Akihiko “AKO” Ohashi who runs it now since his grandmother handed over the reigns. Read the full story>>> [...]

    Posted by: Kevin Mcgue - Tokyo-Based Journalist & Filmmaker » The Ghetto in Shin-Okubo: A Love For Skate Culture on March 3rd, 2009 at 10:51 pm

  15. [...] it was great to read PingMag’s recent piece on The Ghetto, a former love hotel in Shin-Okubo that has been converted into a skater shop/graffiti space. The [...]

    Posted by: Broome » The Tokyo Graffiti Scene on March 24th, 2010 at 1:05 pm

  16. [...] Read the English version at PingMag» [...]

    Posted by: Kevin Mcgue | “The Ghetto in Shin-Okubo: A Love For Skate Culture” Translation on April 17th, 2010 at 10:54 pm

  17. Consider takeing some of your Time, to look at http://www.sporting-sails.com

    This NEW Product is likely to be a Great Fit in your Website/ Store/s,Skiers, Skaters, LongBoarders
    since we all, want to Protect the Safety…. and Please! our young Athletes.

    Please….Direct ALL Product Placement inquires, to our Home Office in Ventura, California…

    contact name is Billy Smith

    I’m Uncle Charlie
    Rocky Mountain Sales Rep.In Denver
    720 839 8077

    Posted by: Charlie Donalson on August 4th, 2010 at 11:35 am

  18. when it gets warmer, i’m going for a session!

    Posted by: porno on October 5th, 2010 at 11:23 am

  19. Not there anymore! Turned into housessssszz!

    Posted by: Spamdog on January 31st, 2011 at 1:16 pm

  20. Thanks for the information about this topic.

    Posted by: innovative healthcare on June 15th, 2011 at 1:39 am

  21. Turbine Idroelettriche

    Posted by: energie rinnovabili on June 17th, 2011 at 9:41 am

  22. Explosive information and well Organized.

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on June 25th, 2011 at 2:02 am

  23. Good topic..keep the good content coming

    Posted by: Definition Marketing on July 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 pm

  24. Rich Content makes this site a winner, Thanks

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 6th, 2011 at 6:47 pm

  25. I can’t believe how informative your site is. Thanks

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 9th, 2011 at 4:20 am

  26. ananım amına koycam sımdı ha

    Posted by: Anonymous on July 22nd, 2011 at 3:36 am

  27. Trashers. :S

    Posted by: Fence New Jersey on July 31st, 2011 at 5:23 am

  28. Nothing much fun here.

    Posted by: Wedding Video Philadelphia on July 31st, 2011 at 5:40 am

  29. Nextpleasee!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by: Pergola Construction on July 31st, 2011 at 5:41 am

  30. I’d sure love to learn how to skateboard.

    Posted by: Pergola Construction on July 31st, 2011 at 5:50 am

  31. Skateboarding and graffiti always seem to come together.

    Posted by: Video Production Company Philadelphia on July 31st, 2011 at 5:51 am

  32. I feel you bring up some fascinating factors that not too many individuals discuss . It is fascinating to see it from this perspective. I really loved the post!

    Posted by: Bill Poulos on August 10th, 2011 at 4:47 pm

  33. I’ve by no means seen it from that perspective. Fortunately there are a couple of ways to do things. I actually take pleasure in enterprise and finance so this post gives some fascinating concepts for me to think about.

    Posted by: Marketing Strategy Template on August 16th, 2011 at 5:08 pm

  34. I am a giant fan of foreign exchange and finance so I find this subject very interesting. I actually get pleasure from business and finance so this post gives some interesting ideas for me to think about.

    Posted by: Viral Marketing Examples on August 17th, 2011 at 12:29 pm

  35. That is an attention-grabbing subject and also you carry up some really attention-grabbing points. I by no means thought of it like that.

    Posted by: Skinny Guy Muscle on August 21st, 2011 at 8:44 am

  36. 大きいスケートボード芸術および音楽でき事に誘われる。 9人の芸術家はスケートボードの絵画、写真および習慣のスケートボードを示す。 3バンドおよび4つDJは音楽をする。 完全な棒がある。 このでき事は芸術および音楽を愛するスケートボーダーのためである。 このでき事はAsagayaのGamusoのギャラリーにある。 (www.gamuso.com)。 それは6PM - 5AMからの10月1日にある。 そこに会おう、ジョニー

    What’s up?

    You are invited to the great skateboard art and music event.

    9 artists will show skateboard paintings, photographs and custom skateboards.

    Three bands and 4 DJ will play music.

    There is a full bar.

    This event is for skateboarders who love art and music.

    This event is at Gamuso Gallery in Asagaya. (www.gamuso.com).

    It is on October 1st from 6PM – 5AM.

    See you there,
    Johnny

    Posted by: Johnny on September 26th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

  37. succes in your online business

    Posted by: Get 125.000 visitors Free with Mighty Solos on September 27th, 2011 at 1:26 am

  38. Gran articulo. Somos seguidores vuestros desde hace tiempo y queriamos aprovechar este comentario para felicitaros por vuestro blog y por el trabajo que estais haciendo en los articulos…

    Posted by: Jamon Iberico on November 2nd, 2011 at 10:14 pm

  39. I’ve said that least 3067694 times. The problem this like that is they are just too compilcated for the average bird, if you know what I mean

    Posted by: a3067694 on November 4th, 2011 at 6:06 am

  40. http://www.happyseasons.gr Online Store

    Posted by: χριστουγεννιατικα δεντρα on November 8th, 2011 at 9:13 pm

  41. xristougenniatika dentra,xristougenniatika stolidia,

    Posted by: xristougenniatika on November 9th, 2011 at 7:44 pm

  42. Very Nice! makes me remind the coloured performance of the early pink floyd!

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 1:27 am

  43. Your business sounds interesting. Why is it important to the industry?

    Posted by: See Clear Without Glasses on November 10th, 2011 at 9:18 am

  44. The ULTIMATE Weight Loss Surgery Resource

    Posted by: gastric bypass on November 11th, 2011 at 9:20 am

  45. If I reword a news article is that copyright ?

    Posted by: ambit energy on November 12th, 2011 at 2:01 am

  46. Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

    Posted by: Augustus Obiano on November 12th, 2011 at 8:51 am

  47. Helpful information. Lucky me, I discovered your website by accident, and I’m surprised why this twist of fate did not took place earlier! I bookmarked it.

    Posted by: ip camera on November 13th, 2011 at 3:31 am

  48. a helpful submit thanks!

    Posted by: Tyler Fydenkevez on November 19th, 2011 at 12:26 am

  49. Collecting figurines has become more popular lately and many people are turning to the internet to locate them.

    Posted by: Figurines on November 21st, 2011 at 3:48 pm

  50. That was exactly what I was looking for. dgsdgh

    Posted by: men watches online on November 23rd, 2011 at 10:27 am

  51. ผลิตภัณฑ์อาหารเสริม เพื่อการเสริมสร้างผิวขาว กระจ่างใส

    Posted by: อาหารเสริม on November 24th, 2011 at 4:37 pm

  52. school of thai massage and spa certificaes Association of thai treditional medicine Appoved by the Ministry of Health

    Posted by: School of thai massage on November 25th, 2011 at 1:06 am

  53. Lorem sonyn wzwalkman sit amet, Cyber Monday Deals in Cell Phones & Accessories

    Posted by: technology on November 28th, 2011 at 2:47 pm

  54. Cyber Monday 2011 Deals List my blog. you can shopping online Cyber Monday Sale have product HDTV,3DTV,Tablets,Laptops,Netbooks,Notebooks,Game Consoles & Electronics, you can see list Best Cyber Monday Deals and buy cheapest product and super saving shipping from AMAZON.COM

    Posted by: Cyber Monday 2011 Deals List on November 28th, 2011 at 4:21 pm

  55. wat a nice post

    Posted by: Movies and TV Series on November 30th, 2011 at 3:11 am

  56. wow… is cool….

    Posted by: toko jasa on December 1st, 2011 at 1:12 pm

  57. Amritsar Temple Pictures,Golden Temple Amritsar Pictures,Harmandir Sahib Amritsar,Swarn Mandir,Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Durgiana Mandir Amritsar,Bada Hanuman Mandir Amritsar,Holy City Amritsar, City Amritsar Pictures, Famous Amritsar Places,Shivala Bagh Bhayian Mandir,Badra Kali Mata Mandir,Chintpurni Mata Mandir,Ram Talai Mandir,Ram Tirath,Model Town,Mata Lal Devi Mandir,Sheeda Sahib,Vaishno Devi Mata Bhawan Pictures,Radha Sawami Baba Ji Pictures,Veer Bhan Shivala,Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib,Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir,Gurdwara San Sahib,Banke Bihari Mandir,Gurdwara Goindwal Sahib,Baba Budha Sahib,Bohli Sahib, Itihasik Temples Pictures Download,Baba Bhoot Nath Maha Kaleshwar Mandir

    Posted by: Abhinav Duggal on December 3rd, 2011 at 1:30 am

  58. Do you have a very good site

    Posted by: reza atayee fard on December 4th, 2011 at 5:16 am

  59. Good write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

    Posted by: Cell Phone Accessories on December 5th, 2011 at 11:18 pm

  60. สารสกัดจากธรรมชาติต่างๆ ที่นำมาเป็นอาหารเสริมเช่น กลูต้าไธโอน,แอลคาร์นิทีน, น้ำมันรำข้าว, กรดอะมิโนต่างๆ และอื่นๆ นั้นมีประโยชน์ต่อร่างกายของเราอย่างไรบ้าง

    Posted by: กลูต้าไธโอน on December 6th, 2011 at 9:14 pm

  61. I think this is all politics

    Posted by: Abdominal muscle on December 8th, 2011 at 4:10 am

  62. HalloHi is Social Network service . You can write what ever you want you have your space on this site and you can do whatever you want share music , videos , write blogs , read blogs , ask question , answer question , play games , upload documents , do

    Posted by: HalloHi Social Network on December 14th, 2011 at 1:50 pm

  63. Nice website to watch music, movies and tv shows online.

    Posted by: Desi Forums on December 21st, 2011 at 9:27 pm

  64. This is the only blog that can keep you updated with latest information in every sphere of life. Whatsoever it may be health, automobile, science and technology.

    Posted by: Online Information on December 22nd, 2011 at 10:41 pm

  65. Hey this is awesome blogs. Keep posted usefull information. Thank you

    Posted by: roll up awnings on January 5th, 2012 at 5:23 pm

  66. I found youre blog via searching the net and I have to say.

    Posted by: sweets on January 10th, 2012 at 6:08 am

  67. Thank you. I’ll sharing the post at my twitter.

    Posted by: Laptop Özellikleri on January 12th, 2012 at 5:25 am

  68. The free online marketplace which allows the small business and individual seller to reach their buyers over the internet, finally releases the service for the public to use.

    Posted by: Malaysia's Online Marketplace on January 23rd, 2012 at 4:44 pm

  69. This piece of information is a gem for me, very helpful, really a great piece of writing, thanks for the effort made, really impressed.

    Posted by: Costume Jewellery on January 24th, 2012 at 2:44 pm

  70. Polnische-Hochzeiten, Hochzeit, Hochzeit-Band, Hochzeitsband NRW Polnische Hochzeitsband Hochzeitsmusik Polnische Hochzeit

    Posted by: Polnische Band Hochzeit MIX Polnische Band NRW Hochzeitsband on January 27th, 2012 at 3:43 am

  71. Hi ….. I have information about Whirlpool washers, you should read them and get tips and tricks commersial business with Whirlpool washers.

    Posted by: whirlpool washers on January 27th, 2012 at 10:42 am

  72. Live Music MOTET - deutsch polnische Hochzeitsband f�r Ihre Hochzeitsfeier.

    Posted by: Anonymous on January 27th, 2012 at 5:44 pm

  73. Very Nice Website you have, from where did you got it made? kindly tell me the developer you hired.

    Posted by: Marriage Palaces on January 27th, 2012 at 10:46 pm

  74. Unsere deutsch polnische Hochzeit mit der polnische Band MOTET & DJ im Hamburg.

    Posted by: Polnische-Band-Hochzeit, Polnische-Hochzeitsband NRW Polnische Hochzeitsband Hochzeitsmusik Polnische Hochzeit on January 29th, 2012 at 7:43 pm

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag