BUSKING IN JAPAN

[ticadel1]

HEy, all, has anybody done this for their ownself, or talked to anybody who has, or seen anybody who has, or otherwise have

any freaking idea ....

I want to take my flute to Japan with a small portable speaker (I play a mean jazz and rock flute) and set my own self up on

the sidewalk, in a public plaza, by a mall, or somwhere and toot toons to collect coins in a hat.

I have done this on the street in North and South America, where there are all manner of buskers.

I worked as an English teacher in Osaka some years ago, so I know Japan, even still remember a little Japanese, and I'd

really like to go back for a couple months for fun, and earn enough to get by.

Thing is, I can't recall seeing any street performers in any cities in the Kansai area when I lived in Japan, and I never

tried busking myself when I was in Japan because my gig was Eikaiwa. Do you see any buskers there now?

It would seem that busking should be flourishing in Japan considering the value of the coins you think they'd toss at a

performing gaijin.

Does anybody know if this is illegal, do you get harassed by the cops or what?

Anyone seen or done this lately, or know anything about it?

[Taro Toporific]

Does anybody know if this is illegal, do you get harassed by the cops or what?
Anyone seen or done this lately, or know anything about it?

I thought Tokyo Gov Blinky specifically passed the Rob Pongi Law to to prevent this (by requiring a licence for street preformances not that any performers pay any attention to this law).

[Steve Bildermann]

Does anybody know if this is illegal, do you get harassed by the cops or what?
Anyone seen or done this lately, or know anything about it?

I thought Tokyo Gov Blinky specifically passed the Rob Pongi Law to to prevent this (by requiring a licence for street preformances not that any performers pay any attention to this law).

Yes, There is a law licensing street performers. I posted an article a while back about just that thing but dang me I can't find it now. I tried looking under street,performers,license and bunch of other keywords but nothing comes up.

Can any of you FG Forum search mavens come up with it?

[GomiGirl]

I just checked with a guy I know who busks around Tokyo with a Japanese girl.. he said that while it is technical not legal, they have only been asked to move on a few times and only fined once. Places like parks and around large train stations (where there are other buskers) should be OK but do so at your own risk.

But don't expect to make a living out of it.. I have never seen anyone drop any money in the guitar cases..

[DJEB]

But don't expect to make a living out of it.. I have never seen anyone drop any money in the guitar cases..

OK, so I'm the guy that [url=http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/showthread.php?p=49387#post49387&highlight=#49874]gets [badgers] the bad hamburgers[/url]and drops the money in the guitar case (if the artist in question is any good)...

[nwgjackson]

Old thread I know but I thought I'd share my experience. I'm staying in Yokohama, not for long but thought I'd try busking. The station is great. But you're not allowed. Have been told twice to go away. I was told by security guards to go over the road, then told by security on the other side to go back over. I think if I were left for an hour I could maybe make about 2000yen.

Haven't found any other places to go yet... Minatomirai has a place next to the station (by Queen's east, Landmark etc. where the big metal sculpture is) but there's always a street entertainer there juggling etc.

By the way I play guitar and sing.

[Taro Toporific]

Old thread I know but I thought I'd share my experience. I'm staying in Yokohama, not for long but thought I'd try busking. The station is great. But you're not allowed.

Keep trying different spots.

Haven't found any other places to go yet... Minatomirai has a place next to the station (by Queen's east, Landmark etc. where the big metal sculpture is) but there's always a street entertainer there juggling etc.

That spot by the big metal sculpture is for "pros" picked by the Queen's east/Landmark management company. However, the spot in front of the Landmark Tower exit of Sakuragicho Station seems to be open to everyone.

Rots of ruck!

[BigInJapan]

Haven't found any other places to go yet... Minatomirai has a place next to the station (by Queen's east, Landmark etc. where the big metal sculpture is) but there's always a street entertainer there juggling etc.

Hmm, can't recall seeing any musical performers, but in the past I've seen magicians and jugglers in Yokohama's Yamashita park.