Food and Drink

There are plenty of photographs on these pages of broken, but absolutely lovely looking old vending machines. There’s even some of a still operational retro toast dispenser.

The series below, however, is different, as it’s a collection of fully functioning old machines including not one, but two actual toast makers. In fact, the sheer variety of food and drink on offer could sustain life, albeit not so healthily, for a very long time, with even film available to document the endeavour.

A set of machines that are all there due to the commitment and passion of just one man. Someone who sources, mends and maintains them, with the obvious joy he feels for what he does reflected in the faces of those visiting, although not so much in ours when we ate one of the hamburgers.

Recently I posted a series of photos covering the impending demolition of two narrow drinking alleyways. A location that was fairly well known due to its old school vibe, so its demise, and indeed the area’s better days, were fully documented.

The tiny spot below, however, gets far less coverage. Unfortunately its dilapidated state suggests it’ll likely go the same way and also disappear, but until that day comes, it offers a wonderful little slice of the past, and a glimpse of sorts of how much more of Tokyo once was.

There are plenty of photos featuring old shops and the like on these pages. Buildings that all have a sort of ordinary charm, although very few of them were taken late in the day with the lights on, and as they tend to look quite different in the dark, here is a small selection of evening shots. The second and last ones were photographed very recently, with the others taken over the previous year or so, but each and every one has a beauty all its own.

I’ve posted photos of broken Japanese vending machines before. Old and long defunct metal boxes that absolutely fascinate me due to their retro designs and the way they still diligently stand there despite no longer being able to dispense anything.

Stumbling upon even one, however, isn’t a common occurrence, so to find a small collection like below is especially rare. Add to that their colourfully taped up nature and the old shop sign above, and it was a special find to say the least.

Recently I posted a couple of ‘before and after’ series featuring the disappearing people and places of Tokyo. Small vignettes of change and lost lives in a vast metropolis. Elements that make the city what it is, but are also easily forgotten and left undocumented.

The photos below are similar in some respects, but also quite different, as the area being demolished is sizeable to say the least. It’s also fairly well known due to its old school charm and looks. A vast array of buildings, businesses, and most strikingly a couple of iconic drinking alleyways, that are all making way for a massive apartment complex. Large scale demolition that is also happening in several of the city’s older neighbourhoods.

The pictures were all taken after pretty much everywhere had been emptied and locked up, but fortunately just before the barriers blocking access were put in place. In a similar vein as those aforementioned ‘before and after’ sets, I’ve also included some photos taken over the years in the same locations.

And with that it’s farewell to a large part of Tateishi. A once truly fascinating area that Tokyo will never see the likes of again.