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Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 3rd, 2009, 8:13 pm
by Mark Paulson
Does anyone know of any magic events going on in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas at the end of March? I know there is a convention in mid-March, which I'll just miss. I'll be there from the 20-31st of March. Any new restaurants or bars with magic themes? Any info is much appreciated. I already have plans to visit MagicLand.

- Mark

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 3rd, 2009, 8:52 pm
by Richard Kaufman
Lots of magic bars in Tokyo (and probably some in Yokohama, too). Did you read our issue last October with the long issue on magic bars in Japan?

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 5th, 2009, 8:46 am
by 000
I enjoyed the article on Magic Bars..........what I remember reading was that the evening was normally paid for by the corporate employers. Wonder how the economic downturn effects in what is essentially a corporate perk.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 6th, 2009, 10:31 pm
by Mark Paulson
I do recall reading the excellent article on Tomo Maeda in last October's issue of Genii, but unless I missed something, I think only one bar in the Tokyo area was mentioned by name (Juni Ji). I have found a few on the internet, but I am hoping that if anyone has current info on magic bars, you could pass it on to me.

I've learned that a couple of places I went to last year are out of business or have changed management (and themes), which is quite common in the Japanese marketplace. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 7th, 2009, 7:47 am
by Y\'s-guy
Check October 2007 (vol.70,No.10) issue.

Y

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 7th, 2009, 1:49 pm
by Mark Paulson
Thanks, I'll do that. Although a list of bars from 2007 could be a little dated, there may be a couple that are still in business. I found that two magic-themed restaurants that I went to last March have already changed their themes to something else. In any case, I guess I can probably find out from Ton Onosaka about the most current places. I appreciate the suggestion (Genii, Oct 07).

-Mark

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 7th, 2009, 5:44 pm
by Richard Kaufman
I believe you'll find most if not all of the bars I wrote about are still in business, though I know that ELM in Ngaoya has moved to a new location.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 8th, 2009, 2:43 am
by Y\'s-guy
Yes,Elm moved to New location where near old place (about 5mins by walk).

Here's New Address:
Izumo Bldg. 1F, Sakae 5-6-26,Naka-ku,Nagoya-shi ,Aichi 460-0008
Telephone Number is same : 052-241-1113

Y

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 8th, 2009, 12:02 pm
by Mark Paulson
Thanks guys! Good to know. It makes planning my trip all the easier.

Mark

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: February 16th, 2009, 9:34 pm
by Mark Paulson
In case anyone else may be heading to Tokyo, here is an interesting article I just found:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/feat ... s-of-tokyo

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: November 26th, 2009, 9:48 am
by Mike Remington
Is there any update to a list of magic bars in Tokyo/Yokohama? I will be there the last week in December and first week in January? Unfortunately October 2007 was during one of the few periods over the last 18 years or so that I was not a Genii subscriber.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: November 26th, 2009, 11:56 am
by Richard Kaufman
You can probably order the back issue from us for $6.
There are many new magic bars in Tokyo now.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: November 27th, 2009, 6:24 pm
by Y\'s-guy
Hello Mike :

I just sent PM for you. Check it out.

Y

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: June 29th, 2010, 12:42 pm
by Mike Remington
I had meant to update this after my trip to Japan at New Year in case my experience is useful to other travellers. After research and some good suggestions, especially from Y's-guy and from Lee Ashers You Tube record of his Japan tour, I gave a short list to my Japanese in-laws. They searched the Japanese magic bar sites on the net, made some calls to bars and chose Juniji (12 OClock) in Ginza. The reason for the choice was that most of the bars said they had minimum prices in the range of $60 to $80 per person, while this one had a fixed price including a dinner and unlimited drinks at about $70. It was a good choice Small place with just a few tables and a stage. One person came to the table and also did a formal parlor show on the stage. Another also did a set at the table, while a third emceed and came to the table to talk and show one effect. The magic was all excellent - each with interesting ice breaking effects to start and closing effects that caused gasps at the tables (including my jaded 15 year old who kept talking about them afterwords). The food was nothing special. It definitely helped that the other people with me spoke Japanese.

Shops like Tokyo Hands still have magic counters, but this is not like the 1980s when every large department store had a good magic counter. I visited Magic Land, but despite going there every couple of years during a period of over 20 years, I still get lost every time I try to find it. They had a display with business cards for the Juniji bar and others owned by the same person. There is a lot of magic on TV in Japan.

On another interest of mine, I was glad to see that CD shops have not gone the way they have in the US, Australia and other parts of Asia. Tower Records in Shibuya is still the best music shop I have ever seen with 6 floors of music and one of books. There are other large shops, plus some very interesting specialized music shops.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: January 1st, 2014, 11:12 pm
by Mike Remington
I am heading to Tokyo for a week of vacation next week. Does anyone have any update on magic bars, shops or other places to see magic in Tokyo?

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: January 2nd, 2014, 12:45 am
by John Signa
If you plan on visiting Magic Land, be warned that they moved about 1.5 years ago and all of the English websites with directions are out of date.

I found out the hard way after walking directly to their old location and finding things weren't right. Found the map on their website http://magicland.jp/Home/MagicLand_map.html and walked around until got my bearings straight and found landmarks like the 7-11s. Fortunately they are near the same station (kayabacho).

Address for Apple or Google Maps:
〒103-0025 東京都中央区日本橋茅場町2-17-4 協同開発ビル5F

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: January 2nd, 2014, 12:52 am
by Richard Kaufman
Most of the magic bars I wrote about in Genii are still there:
Toto's bar
Half-Moon
Joker
If you go to Magic Land, Satoshi will also be able to introduce you to two others.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: January 2nd, 2014, 3:30 am
by Mike Remington
Thanks for the update on the move of Magic Land. Right when I finally thought I could find the old place after going there (and getting lost every time) every 2 or 3 years for the last 25 plus years, they move it. I will have my wife or daughter translate the map for me.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: January 22nd, 2014, 5:08 am
by Mike Remington
John Signa wrote:If you plan on visiting Magic Land, be warned that they moved about 1.5 years ago and all of the English websites with directions are out of date.

I found out the hard way after walking directly to their old location and finding things weren't right. Found the map on their website http://magicland.jp/Home/MagicLand_map.html and walked around until got my bearings straight and found landmarks like the 7-11s. Fortunately they are near the same station (kayabacho).


The map was helpful (if you have Japanese relatives who can translate the instructions.). The Japanes directions on the map basically say take exit 1 or 2 from Kayabacho subway station. Walk about 30 meters to the traffic light and turn left. Walk to the second street and turn left. It is a few buildings in on the right.

The building number is 2-17-4 and there is a Magic Land sign on the building. It is on the fifth floor.

After 25 plus years of going there, it was a shock to be able to find it easily and for it to be relatively clean and organized.

For a magic bar, we went to Juji (ten o'clock). Again, we chose a bar in this group because it had a fixed price for show, dinner and all you could drink rather than an indicative price. Excellent performers and easy to find as well.

I still remain surprised at how popular magic is on television in Japan.

In case others share my interest in music, Tower Records in Shibuya is still the best music shop in the world (although it has less and less competition.)

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: May 27th, 2016, 8:38 am
by Mike Remington
Does anyone have an update on good magic bars in Tokyo?

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: October 9th, 2017, 11:46 pm
by Will Jung
I visited Japan again last week. In addition to Magic Land, I also found Panora Magic and Magic Fantasia. I especially liked Fantasia because of their larger selection, but you'll find exclusive products at Magic Land you won't find anywhere else (except maybe on the Seo Magic USA site).

In addition to the magic bars mentioned previously, I found one that I haven't seen mentioned: MAGIC シマ, or Majikkushima. It's located in Ueno (a 15 or so minute train ride from Tokyo Station). They don't have a stage for bigger performances, so their main focus is close up. And believe me....the magic is top notch. Being a magician, I had my drink stolen from under my nose three times without catching it. The magicians who were there at the time, Saggy, Ryuu, and an older gentleman whose name I never got (but Saggy and Ryuu call, "Japanese Juan Tamariz), were all beyond amazing. I went to Junijii's as well, and while the magic was good, I found the magicians at Majikkushima to be more entertaining. I suggest anybody who visits Tokyo to check out this magic bar during their free time. They are rather English friendly. Their English isn't perfect, but if I, knowing ZERO Japanese, had a great time there, so can you.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: October 10th, 2017, 10:56 pm
by Richard Kaufman
I hear that Half Moon bar is one of the best now.

Re: Magic in the Tokyo/Yokohama areas

Posted: October 12th, 2017, 12:31 am
by Will Jung
I will definitely check out Half Moon when I get the chance next time. However, I think my next stop in Japan will be more towards the south...Nagasaki or Okinawa.