Make Believe Bonus: San Fransokyo Square
Catch me sitting in a food court, sipping a Michelada, listening to "PonPonPon"
It took approximately one minute for me to decide I wanted to stay within the confines of Disney California Adventure’s San Fransokyo Square for the duration of my stay at the theme park.
Walking into the area — themed after the Japan-Meets-California setting of the same name found in Big Hero 6 — offered an initial wave of sensory overload. Katakana everywhere! Ramen, taco and sourdough bread scents wafting through the air! Lovable robot Baymax was doing a meet and greet! As someone fascinated by the intersection of Japanese pop culture and the world at large, I was already in heaven.
Then…I heard something jarring. It…no, it couldn’t be. Is that J-pop?
The sounds of Silent Siren’s “Go Way!” filled the whole square. Next up…gasp!…was Perfume. “Daijyobanai,” to be specific, flooring me even further. I was ready to ruin my family’s vacation to see what came next. They weren’t having it…you try telling a toddler they can’t ride the Toy Story merry-go-round because you have to take notes about what electro-pop songs play over the PA…but they were gracious enough to let me check in agian and again during the day, soaking it all in.
What I found…was a J-pop oasis in the middle of a Disney property, doubling as surpirse commentary on the concept of “cool, Japan!”