Bicycles are an integral part of Tokyo life, and as such, there’s no shortage of bike shops. Some of them are large, others are quite fancy, but the vast majority remain old-style outfits run by similarly old men. Small, invariably cluttered places that are all interesting in their own way, but this one in particular reminded me of a quote from one of the best writers on Japan, the great, sadly late Alan Booth: “Isn’t it wonderful? It’s so ordinary.”
ellen says
He looks a surprised old man! 😉
Lee says
Haha, he was. He certainly didn’t expect someone standing there when the shutters were lifted, and I think he was similarly surprised I wanted to take a photo of his shop.
Richard says
There are also shops like that here in the SF Bay Area where I live. How do the owners know what they have when there is so much clutter all around them? How do they find anything that they might want or need?!?
Lee says
I know eh? Visited more than I’d have like to due to punctures, and despite the clutter, never once have they struggled to find something. Even went to a relatively new place run, unusually, but a young fella, and it was exactly the same. Almost like he’d bought everything he needed and then just scattered it randomly on the shop floor!
YTSL says
The ordinary can indeed be wonderful! BTW, Lee, I think you’re quite the wordsmith as well as photographer. Thanks, as ever, for sharing. 🙂
Lee says
You are very welcome, and thank you for the kind words. That was very nice to hear!