Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2010

Every so often, Spa! magazine takes time to unravel some of Tokyo’s more trivial mysteries in its “Riddles of the Changing City” column. Here are a few from the most recent installment…

Q: Is it just us, or has the urban skyline been getting a bit less cluttered?
A: It’s not just you. Since 1986, 7,700km of overhead cables have been placed underground nationwide

Q: If scouts have been banned from the streets, why isn’t the number of AV actresses going down?
A: The number of applicants has gone up, and newbies are being introduced by friends or via business acquaintances

Q: Is there something shady going on with all those kebab shops in Akihabara?
A: Actually, they’re totally aboveboard—one of the owners is even a thoroughbred, non-yakuza-affiliated Japanese!

Q: All the hosts in Kabukicho seem to have the same hairdos. Are they going to the same shop or something?
A: They are indeed. Extension Style (2-24-7 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku; 03-6233-9433), is the place, if you’re interested

Source: Spa, March 23