If you come here, you can meet Gyaru girls.
Our cafe's concept is that you can come and chat with Gyaru girls.
I think dark skin looks super cute.
From my perspective as Japanese person, you look like a real Shibuya Gyaru.
Hello! I am Cathy Cat from Ask Japanese!
Today we have come to Shibuya.
There is a cafe that has become popular with people from abroad especially.
This cafe features a fashion style that got popular in Shibuya and Tokyo.
Let's go.
Shibuya is the part of Tokyo Town that NEVER sleeps.
Cafes and restaurants here are open until the early morning hours.
This is where the cool girls in town meet up hang out and have a good time.
Only 3 minutes away from Shibuya station is a place where you can
meet some of these girls. The Ganguro Cafe.
There we are. Hello everyone.
Wow what a view. Hello!
There are 3 super cute angels in front of the bar.
Let's ask them to introduce themselves.
I am Ao-chan. Nice to meet you.
I am the owner of the Ganguro Cafe. My name is Erimokkori.
I am the new member. My name is Aichorisu.
The Ganguro Fashion trend boomed in the 1990s until the early 2000s in Japan.
It poses a large contrast to the traditional Japanese beauty ideal of
pale skin and modest clothing.
Gal girls are sexy kawaii and they even tan their skin.
The idea is, the darker you are, the cuter you are.
This fashion style is becoming more popular with people across the globe too.
What do real ganguro girls think about their style and way of life? Let's ask them.
There are many people who still expect Gyaru when they come to Shibuya.
But if you come to Shibuya nowadays, there are no more Gyaru.
But if you come to our cafe you have the chance to meet gyaru girls.
Our cafe's concept is that you can come and chat with Gyaru girls.
What does Gyaru fashion mean to you?
Gyaru is to not getting pulled into the mainstream thinking of others
You need a real fighting spirit to do that, but it's a lot of fun.
Gyaru are girls who do the things others always wanted to do but never dared to.
Our fashion styles look totally different but...
at the core we are thinking the same thing.
I took a turn to the Harajuku side of fashion styles but...
I am really happy to hear that the thought behind both fashions seems to be the same.
Gyarus also have a popular way to party. The Parapara Dance.
Right now I regret doing Harajuku fashion instead of Gyaru fashion.
We can turn you into a Gyaru girl here. Wanna give it a try?
Let's do it! Ok!
At the Ganguro cafe the girls also offer to give you a real ganguro gal make over.
Anyone is welcome to do the makeover,
no matter your age, gender or where you are from.
The new girl Aichorisu offered to give me a Ganguro make over...
Let's ask her more why she chose to be a ganguro gal.
Abroad there is a big stigma against painting your face with dark makeup...
But I heard, that has nothing to do with Gyaru fashion? - Yes.
Gyaru girls tan or apply dark makeup to their skin because they love darker skin.
It has nothing to do with prejudice or racial discrimination.
I personally think dark skin looks healthier.
If you have pale skin you can't see if you apply highlighter on your skin.
But if you add highlights to a darker makeup base...
your face looks more three dimensional and expressive.
I think dark skin is super cute.
Gal makeup is a very unique way to look kawaii and cute.
I think darkening your skin expresses that.
I can see that the girls see Ganguro as a way to express their idea
of what is kawaii and cute and their characteristic uniqueness.
My ganguro makeover is almost done. How will I look as a Ganguro gyaru?
You'll find out in a moment. But before that, let's ask more Japanese
about their opinion on what is kawaii...
I think clothes with lots of lace are cute.
I like seeing girls who wear frilly clothes too.
I think short shorts where you show your legs lots looks cute.
Showing your legs is cute then? - Yes it is.
Man, Japanese girls have so skinny legs...
I am totally loosing against the skinniness of your legs.
I think girls who wear lots of makeup look cute.
- Super flashy makeup is ok? - Super OK with me.
If it's makeup that matches the current trends or current times, yes.
I think it's cute when girls wear clothes that look fluffy and feel soft to the touch.
Fluffy? - Fluffy.
Clothes that I as guy would like to touch.
In my person kawaii fashion is second hand fashion.
For example what?
Clothes from the 80s. Shirts and sweaters and such.
What do you like about it?
How retro these clothes are.
Make me feel ostalgic.
Even though I wasn't born at that time, I really like the retro style.
Wearing large clothes with jeans,
trainers and such.
I personally like that
- A little boyish. - Yes like that.
I think Harajuku fashion is cute.
- Let me lend your clothes. - Sure, please do.
What do you usually wear? - Flashy Harajuku style.
I want to become friends with you. - Me too, please be friends with me.
We should wear a twin coordinate. - Yes, I wanna do that!
What do you like about Harajuku Fashion?
It brings out my individuality. I won't look like anyone else.
What's your favourite color? - Pink!
Thank you for the interview.
Finally my makeover is done.
Let me show you my new style. Cathy Cat transforms into...
Ganguro Gal Cathy Poyo.
I have finished her makeup now.
Let me introduce to you!
CathyPoyo!
Wow you have become a real Gyaru!
That makes me happy!
Hey guys on Ask Japanese, this is CathyPoyo.
During the makeover I actually never had a chance to see a mirror.
So I didn't know how I looked...
So what will happen when I look into the mirror?
You are so skilled. That's quite a change.
Wow you are good at doing makeup.
I am not getting tired of looking into the mirror.
I almost didn't recognize myself. What a change.
With my new Ganguro Style, let's hit the streets of Shibuya.
Somehow this new style made me feel more empowered and confident.
I was curious what other people would think about CathyPoyo.
So I went to ask them.
I got transformed into a Gyaru today. What do you think about that?
From my perspective as Japanese person, you look like a real Shibuya Gyaru.
YES!
I became a gyaru! - Very cute.
She did your makeup very very strong...
But it's nice.
People that dress flashy make things less boring.
You said something good there. Are there Gyaru girls in the USA?
Maybe California girls...
you might look a little like that. But maybe that is totally off.
So you mean Gyaru might be a style unique to Japan? - Yes Japan only.
Ok guys where are you from? - I am from Australia.
And New York.
Do you know the style I am wearing right now. - Galguro?
Ganguro?
Yes Ganguro. - Oh Ganguro!
What do you think about my style today?
It's pretty cool. It looks like someone from Australia.
Oh right. Really?
Like someone who goes to the beach a lot.
Right. Like tanned and stuff.
I agree with the tan and the blonde hair it stands out more.
- Ok let's go where are you from? - France.
Paris!!! - You all come from Paris!
I love it. Really yeah of course, I love it.
You should wear whatever you wanna wear, because women should be free.
If you feel good in it then YES.
But if you do it for someone else then not.
You should do it for yourself!
I usually dress more like this...
What? Seriously?
No way. - Totally different.
No way!
It's a different type of cute, but I prefer this style on you!
Oh thank you!
Usually I look like this...
Oh my god, I love it.
You are like a kawaii Japanese doll.
I like how you are. I mean, I don't care.
You're pretty anyways.
I must say I like both styles, because the idea is, that we wear what we want to wear!
Yeah right! Exactly! Yay!
How did you like finding out about the Ganguro girls and their cafe?
They actually also serve drinks and Ganguro themed food.
Like their special dark Takoyaki balls.
If you are lucky you can also watch the girls dance their Parapara dance
and you can also ask to join in
cause they are super nice and will teach you how the dance is done.
Be sure out to visit the girls at their Ganguro Cafe!
We are waiting for you!
In Japan there are a couple of unique fashion phenomena
and the Ganguro Gal trend is one amongst them.
This is a way for the girls to express their idea of beauty and what is kawaii.
What do you think about the Ganguro Gals' way of life?
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