VINTAGE VIBES AND NEW EVENTS
DISCOVER THE SHIMOKITAZAWA AREA AND 2 NEW ENGLISH GAMES BY SCRAP!
BY SCRAP Global Team
In this blog post, we want to introduce one of the most interesting Tokyo districts that might still be missing from your radar: the vintage mecca Shimokitazawa.
Forget the Tokyo full of glass-covered skyscrapers, and don’t expect to find the still tranquility of the majestic temples here either. Instead, you’ll discover an area full of retro cafes, vintage clothing, and art.
Called Shimokita for short by the locals, this area is well-loved by Tokyo’s younger generation that usually gathers there to enjoy that “vintage-meets-modern” vibe that is popular now.
If you venture into its alleys, you will not find busy businessmen or loud traffic, but rather tiny cool cafes with a laid-back atmosphere, delicious street food, trendy second-hand clothes shops, and, plenty of insta-worthy photo opportunities. But also in recent years, many new developments have been popping out, making Shimokita the perfect hub for many different cultures to mix and blend.
The best way to enjoy this area is just to exit the train station and get lost in its narrow streets. You might just discover your new favorite Tokyo corner.
And, if between some street food and vintage clothes shopping, you also want to play some games, SCRAP has you covered!
One of our permanent locations lies in the heart of Shimokitazawa, and 2 brand-new English events have just been launched there!
Continue reading to learn what some players thought of these new events.
- Escape from the Never-Ending Locks and Keys:
The story and concept seemed so simple so I didn’t have grand expectations for this game, but boy did it deliver! Escape rooms can be so over-the-top nowadays with their immersive themes and extravagant decorations, but there’s something about a classic, simplistic escape room that never gets old. The set and decor in “Escape from the Never-Ending Locks and Keys” doesn’t distract you from what the core of escape rooms has always been about—Clever tricks and puzzles.The game starts off fairly simple with a heavy emphasis on search-and-find, and slowly progresses to more tricky and unassuming ways to uncover a new key.You’d think simply “finding keys and unlocking locks” sounds like the most boring thing you could do for 30 whole minutes, but trust me, we were surprised time after time. This game really makes you think outside the box. The various methods used to uncover keys were so creative and entertaining, they kept us fully engaged and going WOW the entire time! I played with a couple of friends who had never done an escape room before and they loved it, so I think it’s safe to say this room is great for both first-timers and seasoned players!
- Escape from the Small Wonder Room: There is something about 10 minute escape rooms that gives off such a different atmosphere from 60 minute escape rooms. Maybe it’s the feeling of knowing that every second matters with a 600 second time limit? Maybe it’s the fact that playing with only one other person, there is a chance something could be missed? Or maybe it takes advantage of the starting adrenaline and encapsulates it into the perfect bite-sized experience?Regardless, “Escape from the Small Wonder Room” is a delightful 10 minute escape room that captures the same excitement of a longer escape room without losing the thrill. At first glance, the room looks like a simple fairytale themed room but the puzzles inside are quite clever! There was a point in the game where we were required to do something that seemed quite strange to me. But when the puzzle’s answer appeared, the feeling was so satisfying! The final puzzles were also intriguing and definitely worth the time. I would highly recommend playing this game if you are ever in the Shimokitazawa area!
Such nice reviews!
And the Global Team too thinks that Escape from the Never-Ending Locks and Keys is a great game to enjoy with friends and family. It is designed to be easy to understand and you are immediately put in the middle of the action. But in true SCRAP fashion, it will not disappoint the experienced players. Escaping from this room will prove to be a challenge, and even if you won’t succeed, we’ll guarantee you’ll have plenty of fun discovering all of the tricks and surprises we have prepared. More info here!
But if you don’t have much time to play, why not try the 10 minutes game – A Small Wonder Room?
You don’t need any reservations or planning, you can just go to the Shimokitazawa Store and ask for a ticket. You can even play it while you are waiting for your turn in Escape from the Never-Ending Locks and Keys! You might think a 10 minutes game is too easy but don’t underestimate the amount of puzzles that SCRAP can condense in a short time, or it will be over before it starts! More info here!
And if you are not yet satisfied, why not challenge yourself with SCRAP’s Shimokita Puzzle Hunt? This game is in Japanese only at the moment, but if you understand it to a middle-school level and use the help of a translator, you will be able to enjoy this unique experience that will take you deep into Shimokita alleyways and uncover all of its secrets.
So, make sure you include Shimokitazawa in your next Tokyo trip and stay tuned for more announcements soon!