
Japan has spent just about all week getting drenched by a pair of typhoons that have decided to leisurely make their way across the country’s skies. Thankfully, there hasn’t been any significant damage in the Tokyo area, but whenever there’s heavy rainfall, you can expect local news outlets to send a camera crew to check on conditions at one of the capital’s major rail hubs.
Last night, a team sent to Shinjuku Station brought back footage of all the things viewers have come to expect from such reports. The camera’s lens capturing soaked commuters caught without an umbrella and concerned travelers watching the display boards for word about whether their train lines were still running…oh, and also a crazed, sunglass-wearing guitarist who insisted on being heard and in-frame.
With Shinjuku’s combination of office high-rises, shopping centers, swanky restaurants, and cheap bars, Shinjuku Station sees an almost constant stream of train passengers coming to or from the neighborhood for work or play (or just to come and gaze fondly at the nearby RocketNews24 offices). As such, it’s a perfect location to show a snapshot of transportation disruptions during a storm, and public broadcaster NHK was on the scene.
Upon reaching the south gate, the correspondent began his report, explaining that water was seeping into the entrance, despite regular baling by station personnel. On the plus side, while trains were running a few minutes late, they were still in service, and as such there was no significant panic or confusion in the station.
At least, there was no confusion until this guy showed up.
▼ Make sure to turn on the sound for the full effect.
https://twitter.com/sweets_warai/status/641553310193815552And that’s just part of his unabashed grabbing of the rainy day spotlight.
https://twitter.com/___parin_ko___/status/641554326016540672Even as the typhoon was dampening the city, nothing could dampen this man’s enthusiasm for music, and he belted out a passionate ballad for all who cared to listen, and, if we’re being completely honest, also the several times as many people who probably didn’t.
Japanese news programs are fond of adding several graphical overlays to their footage, and when the cameraman couldn’t swing his lens entirely away from the crooning interloper, he at least tried to cover him with the meteorological map that occupies the bottom-right corner of the frame. But as can be seen in the video below, the strategy’s effectiveness was limited, either because the sunglass man is familiar enough with NHK broadcasts to know their on-screen layout, or because his dancing was just too unpredictable for the cameraman to counter for any longer than a few milliseconds at a time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1OyXHT_aJs
In the man’s defense, the southern gate of Shinjuku Station is a popular spot for amateur bands and musicians to set up their instruments and play for passing evening crowds. Given the fact that his act seems much more tailored to getting attention than applause, though, we’re not sure how serious his musical ambitions are, but at the very least, he probably gave everyone who saw him a couple of chuckles to help pass the time while they waited for their delayed trains.
Source: Kinisoku
Top image: Twitter/___parin_ko___ (edited by RocketNews24)

Typhoon Hagibis turns Tokyo into an eerie ghost town【Pics, Video】
Commuter chaos around Tokyo during peak hour after Typhoon Trami hits Japan 【Pics & Video】
Typhoon Faxai makes landfall in Japan, batters Tokyo area 【Pics & Video】
Crazy photo shows how Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station can be as confusing as a video game dungeon
Dramatic scenes at Harajuku Station as Typhoon Mindulle makes landfall in Japan
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
New Japanese menstrual product seeks to help women spot unidentified iron deficiencies
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Braving a Japanese national fireworks competition with 10x more people than the city population
Taiwan throws lively funerals, complete with miniskirt-clad marching bands 【Video】
Japanese Cabinet to officially announce new romanization spelling recommendation next week
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
More Than a Capsule Stay: Why Solo Travelers Choose “global cabin Yokohama Chinatown”
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Typhoon Faxai strands thousands at Narita Airport in Japan【Pics & Video】
Woman suffers burns after aluminium can explodes at Shinjuku Station
Man runs across tracks of Tokyo’s busiest train station after secretly filming woman’s skirt【Vid】
Japan goes from capsule hotels to capsule offices with free Wi-Fi, device charging in Tokyo
Japanese tanuki heads for the ticket gates at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo【Video】
Tokyo Station’s new guidance robot is extremely terrifying, pretty helpful【Video】
Random man attempts to punch female reporter on Tokyo street【Video】
Hypnotic moving map of Tokyo’s crazy rush hour trains almost makes them relaxing【Video】
Posters of SoraNews24 ace reporter Mr. Sato appear in one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations【Pics】
Please do not feed the monkey running wild around Tokyo, authorities ask【Videos】
Leave a Reply