Rockabilly at Yoyogi Park is a Dance Spectacle
Was it Neil Young who said that rock and roll would never die? He must have been talking about rockabilly at Yoyogi Park. When I visited it in 2018, it was alive and kicking. Yes, it might be a niche market these days. I get that, but Tokyo does things differently. The Strangers draw good crowds at Yoyogi Park. Every Sunday afternoon, when the weather is good, they put on a show.
Watching the dancers is an excellent way to pass some time. These guys and girls are into the lifestyle. They have the right jeans, jackets, shoes, hairstyles, and attitude.
When the music starts up, the members form a circle. They make their best moves and whip combs out of their pockets to style any stray hairs back into place. Everyone has “the strut.” They love to strut.
It is entertaining. The group, the Strangers, put on an outstanding show. They, and another, the Lebels, have been dancing at Yoyogi Park‘s entrance for at least thirty years. If I’m wrong about the time, let me know. Still, I vaguely remember seeing them in the early 1990s when a girlfriend took me to Harajuku.
The dancers are a very diverse group. Some seem to be in their late teens, and a few are in their twenties, thirties, and forties. A couple might be in their fifties or even sixties. They might be getting old, but they aren’t slowing down. The Strangers have the moves and always look cool.
They still pull a good crowd. As the group dances in front of the park entrance, many people walk past them. Most stop to have a look and take a few pictures. Some move on after they’ve checked the rockabillies out, but a lot stay and enjoy the fun.
If you are ever free on a Sunday and in the Harajuku area, pop over to Rockabilly at Yoyogi Park. It’s only a short walk from the station and Meiji Shrine. Have a look at these guys and gals are still cool. Neil Young would be proud. Please leave questions and comments below.
Rockabilly at Yoyogi Park photo gear:
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T2
- Lenses: Fujifilm XF 55-200 mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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Related Yoyogi Park rockabilly websites:
- Strangers on Instagram
6 thoughts on “Rockabilly at Yoyogi Park is a Dance Spectacle”
This is very cool! They’re still performing on Sundays? Will they dance during winter? I’ll be in Japan in the end of December till mid January and was really looking forward to seeing this as one of my highlights!
Hi Tristen,
I’m not connected with this group, so I can’t definitely say. But I believe they will be performing in the winter, so you should be able to see them.
I was there in 1993 as a student and remember the rockabilly dancers! Planning a trip this fall hopefully, and will definitely go back, so glad I found your post!
Hello Mbritt! You are I were in Japan at the same time then. I hope you get to see the dancers again in the fall. You might even remember a couple of faces and see some new ones. If you take pics, let me know!
Wow…you make me wanna back again to Harajuku and being around at Yoyogi Park.
Japan…I am coming.!
Please come to Japan Mirasyahda! We are waiting for you.