2024.10.07
Yumemi Nemu & Ano-Chan Visited the Subculture Hub Brimming with Excitement: "Nakano Ropeway"
Nakano Broadway is known as a mecca of subculture.
Within this space, Nakano Ropeway has become a hotspot frequently visited by underground idols and numerous influencers. Artists like Yumemi Nemu, Ano-chan, and Seiko Oomori, who have now risen to charismatic fame, are regulars at Nakano Ropeway.
Why are idols and influencers so drawn to Nakano Ropeway? In this piece, we delve into this mystery by talking to the shop's owner, Ito.
Actually, I Wasn’t Aware of Subculture or Idols at All
Located on the B1 floor of Nakano Broadway, Nakano Ropeway operates next to a supermarket, standing out among various shops offering distinctive goods.Despite not being in the typically sought-after upper floors, it thrives as a vibrant hub where people gather daily. How did it all begin on this unique floor?
"Before starting Nakano Ropeway, I used to buy second-hand clothes from Southeast Asia and sell them at flea markets. I didn’t have a strong desire to open a store; I primarily sold T-shirts that I liked," Ito explains.
The products at Nakano Ropeway are mainly sourced by Ito from Thailand. Though opening a goods store was not initially his plan, a unique bond seemed to form between him and Thailand.
During a trip with his parents to Thailand, a vision that would shape Nakano Ropeway occurred unexpectedly.
"While my parents were touring ruins, I was wandering around by myself. Due to the numerous rivers in Thailand, crossings are common. As I was about to cross one, I noticed someone resembling a homeless person lying in the middle of the bridge.
"Though usually a common sight, for some reason, I found myself unable to look away this time.
"Mounds of dog keychains surrounded him. Upon inquiry, it turned out they were for sale. Before I knew it, I impulsively bought around 30 of them. Back at the hotel, as I arranged them on the TV stand, an inexplicable intuition coursed through me."
Soon after, a vivid image of opening a store featuring such keychains emerged clearly in his mind, marking the mystical inception of the shop.
Feeling a sense of fate from receiving his name during the trip, Ito reflects on the experience.
"My full name is Yasuaki Ito (伊藤泰彰), which coincidentally contains the character for '泰' from the kanji for Thailand (泰国). Reflecting on it now, it seems this name was a catalyst for starting the shop."
The spontaneous creation of Nakano Ropeway began from unforeseen circumstances. Yet, fate seemed to favor his journey.
Beyond Thailand, the "place" of Nakano Broadway pulled Ito towards his calling.
Driven by an urgent need to establish a store, any location offering affordable rent sufficed to swiftly manifest his vision.
"Although I was fond of Nakano Broadway, I never anticipated opening a shop there. While searching frantically, a vacant property caught my eye. Despite the usual rent ranging from 150,000 to 300,000 yen, beyond my means back then, I daringly inquired about it. To my surprise, there was one available property at just 40,000 yen.
"Quickly securing and finalizing the deal the next day, I felt it was a destiny guided by the timely acquisition of those keychains, without which that property wouldn’t have been available," Ito shares, recognizing the serendipitous turn of events akin to fate.
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