
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Our visit to the coolest Book Off used Japanese book store that we’ve ever seen
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
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