Recently I’ve posted a few photo series of old and dilapidated Japanese markets. This one, however, is a little different. It’s pre-war and wooden, which is something of a rarity, meaning its ramshackle nature is hardly unexpected. In fact, the middle section has now collapsed, and the former homes above are in an even worse state, so despite somehow hanging on, its days really do seem to be numbered.
There again, a few businesses are still functioning, but on the day we visited, they were closed. Fortune still favoured us though, as a shop owner who still uses his shuttered premises for preparing orders was busy working away, and seeing our interest, he cheerfully invited us in for a look.
To say it was like stepping back in time is an understatement, and perhaps not surprisingly, the dark interior was similar to the rest of the market. The roof was falling in, and a structural beam in the corner looked like it was one small nudge away from disintegrating entirely. None of which bothered the man himself, and he continued to grill eel like he has done for decades — his kind and open smile evident even in the semi-darkness.
A brief but incredibly memorable encounter that made an already extraordinary place feel all the more special. How much longer the site will last is impossible to say, and an earthquake in the area only days after these photos were taken further emphasises its increasingly precarious existence. For now though, it provides an increasingly rare glimpse of how life was, and how it never will be again.
Sean says
The pics of the old guy cooking are super atmospheric. What an awesome find!
Lee says
Thanks a lot. A truly incredible place, and the old fella and his kindness made it even better.
John Smith says
Where is it located?
Richard says
The buildings could make a great set for a gothic horror film. The old man is amazing!
Lee says
They really could, and yes, he was fantastic. So glad we got to meet him.
cdilla says
Another valuable record of a past era. It’s hard to see how basic wooden structures can survive for so long and even, in places, still be functional.
The treasure though is, of course, the old gentleman who opened his world to you with such a charming smile.
You are finding the blurry edges of where the lived in and haikyo meet.
Lee says
Thank you. And yeah, he was absolutely lovely. So kind to take us into his world. One he is clearly very fond of.
That’s a very good point. Definitely a blurred line with this place.
YesterdaysHero says
Great work as always. Documenting the past is always important but I like how you personalize it. The old man gives the market life.
Lee says
Thank you very much. The market itself is incredible, but meeting someone connected to it really made the visit. We were very luck we got the chance.