The Sugamo area in Toshima District is like a nocturnal creature, lying dormant in concrete by day, but rising into a colorful frenzy by night.
The street signs begin to light up one by one as Fushimi Roku holds a map, walking and taking notes. Shops along the street roll up their shutters and the overhead street sign glows with the words "Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street." Due to a bad connection, the characters 'Jizo' flicker with a red light.
Crowds pour into the street from the west: commuting workers, street-roaring Bosozoku, and gang guards... a noisy mix that dazzles Minamoto Tamako.
After looking at the map, Fushimi Roku realizes that Sugamo is divided into two parts. The area near Ikebukuro Station is West Sugamo. It's clean and tidy there, with two elementary schools, a historic landmark, the newly built Sunshine City shopping center, and offices of major corporations, looking like a gathering place for top elites.
