TOKYO, Jul 14 (News On Japan) –
In Tokyo’s Shibuya district, the difficulty of individuals consuming alcohol outdoors comfort shops—often known as “konbini drinking”—has already erupted right into a full-fledged summer season spectacle. Foreign guests have begun gathering in Center Gai, bottles in hand, regardless of a ban on nighttime road consuming in place since October 2024.
On July tenth, as a sudden downpour eased round 8 p.m., international vacationers started assembling in entrance of a comfort retailer in Shibuya’s Center Gai. Many had been holding wine bottles and started consuming on-site. The group quickly grew to round 20 folks, fully blocking the shop’s entrance.
Under the present guidelines, nighttime road consuming is banned round Shibuya Station. This summer season marks the primary since these rules got here into impact.
When interviewed, one international man insisted, “This is OK. This is a convenience store, not a road. We’re not drinking on the road. No beer.” But as soon as the group dispersed, the bottom was left plagued by empty bottles and cans.
The late-night consuming continued previous 1 a.m. In some instances, teams spilled out into the road, making noise, whereas others—largely Japanese—sat on non-public property and drank.
One lady consuming in a constructing lot protested, “This isn’t the street! This is different! That’s the street over there!”
Another lady, approached by a Fuji TV reporter, responded: “Is this really Fuji TV? We drink in bars too, but we don’t get this drunk. This is great value! Drinking at a bar costs thousands of yen, but here I get this drunk for just 300 yen!”
Some ladies stated they missed the final practice and determined to drink there. Complaints have reportedly been pouring in from close by buildings about such habits.
When confronted in regards to the road consuming ban, one lady replied, “I know. But this isn’t the street! That is! So technically, I’m not drinking on the street.” When requested if she understood it was nonetheless prohibited, she answered, “Sorry… I’ll take it with me. It’s fine if we don’t litter. It’s just hydration, right? I’m just trying to live how I want. You only live once!”
The following morning, the aftermath remained. The proprietor of a close-by restaurant remarked, “People don’t follow the rules. Even smoking on the street is prohibited, but today again, I found about 30 cigarette butts on the building stairs.”
The Shibuya Center Gai Shopping District Promotion Association, which cleans the streets each morning, has been campaigning to get rid of road consuming. Chairman Tatsuji Suzuki stated, “When people come to Shibuya and see others drinking, they might think it’s allowed. That’s why it’s important for tour operators to inform visitors in advance and make proper announcements.”
Source: FNN