No glitz. No technology. And definitely none of that much-touted sense of aesthetics. Instead, it’s a window into a world where corrugated iron is a popular look — or at least a particularly well-used material.
A sight that in many ways is a million miles from most images of Japan, and yet it’s probably a much more accurate one.
Martin says
I would be willing to bet they are happy to have a roof over their heads.
Lee says
No doubt. Like we all are these days.
Lydzatwit says
I think it’s quite attractive actually. To be human is to have an aesthetic?
Lee says
The mention of aesthetics was a counter to it often being mentioned in relation to Japan and the Japanese. An element that is certainly true when it comes to the likes of tea ceremony etc., but in general, the cities and towns are not very aesthetically pleasing at all. Quite the opposite in fact.
A Former Expat says
Reminds me of something I’ve heard: Japan is the most advanced 3rd world country in the world.
Lee says
That’s very harsh, but some parts really do look quite grim.
A Former Expat says
Harsh, yes, but that building, I assume a 長屋 is a remnant of a time long gone by. Japan can do better for its citizens in many ways, housing for one.
Lee says
It was in a shitamachi area destroyed during the bombing raids, so age-wise it could date as far back as that. But yeah, a lot of accommodation leaves a lot to be desired.
Hans ter Horst says
When I first visited Japan years ago and brought back lots of photos of temples ans shrines, my friends back home believed that the Japanese lived in lovely wooden buildings like that. This was before the anime boom that has taught a lot of people about the Japanese big cities 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, all beautiful temples and shrines it most certainly isn’t…