I live in Kabukicho -- the infamous tangle of sex clubs and mahjongg parlors located just north of Shinjuku Station's East Exit. There are a number of reasons why I live where I do: the hundreds of wonderful all-night Asian restaurants and supermarkets; the fact that I can walk from my apartment to the world's busiest train station in a matter of minutes; and surprisingly, perhaps, the relatively low rent. The price of housing is a function of supply and demand, and it seems Kabukicho's seedy reputation scares off the more strait-laced prospective tenants.
Enter the smart artists. The last several years have seen a slow but steady movement of art and artists into the area just east of Kabukicho, where real-estate prices are doubly stunted by proximity to the gay enclave of Shinjuku 2-chome. Sandwiched between all this (perceived) iniquity is the flagship shop of Sekaido, Tokyo's best source for art supplies; a host of shops selling musical instruments; plus a trio of relatively new artist-run galleries.
The Photographers' Gallery, which opened less than a year ago, is a 40-sq.-meter space managed by its 17 members, all of whom are photographers.