Posts Tagged ‘japanese goth’

Did you see La Carmina on Food Network TV? Your eyes aren’t deceiving you.

Last fall, I was in Tokyo to work on a new television program called World’s Weirdest Restaurants. My Pirates company, which provides TV fixing / arranging  / local production arrangement, took care of all 14 Japan episodes.

The subject of theme restaurants, especially with a Gothic-spooky bent, is close to my heart. I wrote a book named Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo, so we knew exactly where to bring the TV cameras.

I was the Gothic guide to Christon Cafe Shinjuku. Here, everything fits with the dark cathedral theme, including the food (vampiric bloody rolls, and Tower of Babel salad). Even the menu looks like a Bible!

My friends run Decadance Bar upstairs, a cyber alternative hangout that’s a must-visit. You can see photos of this Shinjuku bar in my Tokyo Nightlife Guide. 

My “First Mate” and I cast our spooky friends in this Goth restaurant scene. (For more about our film/TV production arranging and scouting company, visit our Pirates website.)

The relics in the room came from bona fide Eastern European churches.

On another day, we shot at the Alice in Wonderland theme restaurant in Shinjuku. I previously brought a Dutch TV show here (click for photos).

And I famously took Andrew Zimmern (of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods) to Alcatraz ER. This Shibuya restaurant has a monster-jail feel, where you eat bloody slush behind cell bars.

Here are photos with Andrew Zimmern and my Bizarre Foods video clip.

I also adore the Gothic Lolita cafe, Sumire no Tenmado, run by a lovely musician duo. Tim Burton left a Jack Skellington scrawl on the wall.

Want to learn more about Tokyo’s crazy theme restaurants? I wrote a book with full-color photos, stories and addresses. Check it out here.

For more Tokyo Goth travels, please add my Facebook and see my daily photos on Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram (my username is lacarmina).

Do you like my new pink-candy hair color? More pics in this fashion blogger outfit post.

Stay tuned to La Carmina blog to see where my journey takes me next. I’ll be in six cities in the next months, in different continents… can’t wait to reveal my upcoming destinations!

La Carmina & friends have released our Industrial Goth dance video for Japan! We hope you’ll take a moment to watch it below and on YouTube (a Like/Share is always appreciated). Our team worked hard on this good cause, and we’re grateful for your support.

On the anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami (March 11, 2012), La Carmina, tank9, Mary Nine, and GPKism filmed a dance video — a tribute to Japan’s vibrant underground culture.

All day long in Seattle, we raised awareness and collected donations. Our video captures the immense positivity and energy of youths teaming up for an important cause.

The song, “Iudicium” is kindly provided by GPKism, a Japanese Industrial Goth band that was put on hiatus because of the earthquake. This video participates in the Ridley Scott and Fuij TV “Japan in a Day” project (full details here).

See more photos & read about the project on La Carmina blog. Thanks for your support!

What do you think of the dance video? Watch it NOW.

Back to New York City… The best Gothic / retro fashion is found at Dances of Vice, an event run by my friend Shien Lee. On Valentine’s Day, the theme was “La Vie Parisienne: Bal de la Saint-Valentin.”

The evening featured can-can girls, burlesque, a dancing mime, a live orchestra, and plenty of dark retro clothing from centuries past. More photos here.

What are your favorite Goth haunts in NYC? Seattle? Your own hometown? One day, I’ll visit them all! Stay tuned to La Carmina to see where I’m headed next, on my Global Gothic travels.

Last month, I was in Tokyo for a few TV jobs — which gave me a chance to report on Japanese Gothic parties and boutiques. The scene’s as vibrant and elegant as ever.

I was filmed for an episode of NHK Kawaii TV. The  30 min segment is about La Carmina’s world: the spooky places and people that inspire me.

I took the TV crew to Abilletage, a recently-opened Gothic vintage and handmade corset shop in Shinjuku. The NHK cameraman filmed me meeting my spooky friends, exploring the boutique and getting fitted into a corset by designer Bambi.

Abilletage is lushly decorated with thick red curtains, chandeliers and antiques. There’s also a coffee and tea section, popular with Tokyo’s Gothic ladies and gentlemen. (Order the ice chai, you won’t regret it.)

If you’re in Shinjuku, you must stop by the boutique. Address and more photos are on La Carmina blog.

After, I took NHK Kawaii TV to Baby Doll in Harajuku. I was keen to feature this Goth Fetish boutique in the program, since it’s been independently run for over 10 years. Baby Doll’s original clothing includes form-fitting outfits worn by Lady Gaga. You can pick up everything from tutus to play-torture equipment here.

Support indie stores! A Harajuku shopping trip should include Babydoll, located here. For more Gothic Lolita Punk store recommendations, check out my Tokyo shopping guide and map.

Finally, the TV crew filmed me partying all night at Midnight Mess, the longest-running Goth/Industrial/EBM event in Tokyo. The absinthe poured freely…

On stage with Yukiro, Maya and Selia. The all-night party featured Baroque Opera singing and an S&M bondage show. The Kawaii TV episode will air in January, and I’ll put up clips so you can see the Japan Goth party in action.

Where else to go for Gothic /alternative partying? Torture Garden Japan, which happens about once a year. There’s always a fashionable turnout, and tons of kink performances.

There’s also Walpurgis Night at Shinjuku Jam. The regular Goth event features live bands and music.

I love the 80s Gothic and synth tunes that Taizo spins. Lots of Siouxsie makeup to be found here.

And there’s always Decadance Bar, open almost every night and located above Christon Cafe Shinjuku. Drag queens and cyber kids congregate here to drink absinthe and dance.

For full addresses, reports and maps, please view my Tokyo alternative club guide.

What to wear on a night out in Tokyo? Believe it or not, Lip Service is popular here too! I wore a LS sailor costume during the filming of a Fuel/Discovery/National Geographic TV show.

Only a few days until Halloween… got a costume and party plans yet? I’ve got epic ones: flying to Mazatlan, Mexico for Halloween and Day of the Dead, courtesy of the tourism board. I’m hosting and arranging a travel  video for them, about the Gothic/spooky/art/culture of Mazatlan! (More info about my evil plans here.)

That means in the next column, you can look forward to firsthand Dia de los Muertos coverage. Now, off to catch my flight!

XXX LA CARMINA XXX

http://www.lacarmina.com/