Highballs & Polaroids: On Tour In Japan With Rebel Yell

Rebel Yell took theMusic​ on a trip across the Pacific as she hit up the land of the rising sun. For those of us without enough annual leave in the bank to make the trip ourselves, check out her tour diary below featuring arcades, a pilgrimage to Yoro Park and a whole lot of highballs. 

The 'highball', my favourite Japanese beverage that was a lot more alcoholic than I knew for majority of the trip, accompanied by my fab nail art I got on day one, of course. This photo was taken in Yoyogi Park with some Aussie expats, and soon after a sighting of meerkats on leads happened…

Around the town in Shinjuku (after many highballs of course). Parading around some new purchases from the second-hand paradise that is Harajuku. 

Shinjuku - smack bang in the centre of a chaotic place filled with only the quietest voices and softest hearts, feeling safe and calm. 

Five G Music Technology — my lucky day, an empty shop and everything plugged in for me to play. 

I'm still at Five G Music Technology, heart-eyed emoji at all the synths and machines. 

Rebel Yell and Scaredy Snake take on Shimokitazawa. Shopping, chatting and drinking in the carpark outside the venue her boyfriend is soundchecking in, we talk about life in Brisbane, music, Japan... before saying farewell until next time. 

Arcades! The colours, the sounds, the concentration and dedication, but for mostly for me, the capsule machines :~)

A few highballs deep, wandering solo around Harajuku about 10pm on my last night in Japan. Across the road I see "Beyond Cool" in neon lights, I think of zero cool, I think of Hackers, I think I like this place and don't wanna leave.

The last day, Nakano Broadway. Nothing open until midday. 5 levels of shops shut off by garage doors. When opened, levels upon levels of variety, but the best shop, the movie poster shop where I buy souvenirs for my brother of beautiful A4 movie posters from Japan. 

The Site of Reversible Destiny, Yoro Park. Arakawa and Gins believed that changes in bodily perception would lead to changes in consciousness. Consequently, they developed architecture and constructed environments that challenge the body as a way to "reverse our destinies". 

The Site of Reversible Destiny is home to my favourite building and the idea of visiting Japan without seeing it broke my heart. Four trains and 2.5 hours from Osaka, we walk one kilometre through a deserted town to Yoro Park. The buildings are open to explore inside and out and prove to be the magical place I had hoped for. Outside of my favourite building, we are surrounded by green grass, forest trees and 360 degree views all entwined with obscure structures coming out of the ground around us.