Why has "Kuramae" become Tokyo's new cultural centre?

The transformation of the Kuramae area in the southern part of Taito Ward

Abstract

This study examines why the ‘‘Kuramae’’ area has become the new cultural centre of Tokyo. The factors and background are clarified through a focus on historical transitions and emerging practices. As a result, the background to the area becoming known as the 'Brooklyn of Tokyo' is the reality that there is a concentration of marginalised handicrafts in the area, and that newcomers are cooperating with the bearers of these . And the changes appear in ‘‘Kuramae’’ area are representative of the west-to-east transition of Tokyo's cultural centres.