Make Believe Bonus: Shibuya's Last Saturday

Chaos In Front Of The Family Mart

The situation in front of the Udagawa Street Family Mart kicks up a level when an American lugging two mini kegs of Heineken around emerges.

It’s less about what he specifically brings to this ad hock party — booze is plentiful — and more of a symbol of the turn the night is about to take. It’s 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. In three days, Shibuya will institute a ban on drinking in the street following years where the number of people throwing back alcohol while wandering around one of Tokyo’s liveliest neighborhoods has shot up. Turns out a lot of people were aware of this, with over 200 gathered in front of a Family Mart convenience store that had become something of a nightlife landmark…and many more roaming around nearby streets, enjoying beers and chu-hai as last train passed.

This was the last weekend of revelry in Shibuya, and people were out to be part of the mess.