Photographs from a small group of islands
Not many restaurants are as photogenic as the one below, so it was hardly a chore to stand outside for a short time and record the comings and goings of its last minute lunchtime customers. Then later, when looking back at the time stamps, there was 7 minutes between the first and last photos — a tally of 7 shots in total. And as a nice, extra bit of synchronism, it turns out that the eatery in question has been in operation for 70 years.
This shop was very much a part of the old covered shopping street. The buckets of pickles spilled out onto the pedestrian area, and the owner, who always seemed to be open for business, was always working away at something or other. There was the smell too, which was as distinctive as the colours, and noticeable from a considerable distance away.
Sadly I have no idea how long it was there for. To interrupt the old fella and bother him with my questions somehow felt wrong. Plus being several train journeys from home, buying some of his produce as an excuse to speak was never really an option. There again, it felt like the shop would always be there. Something to marvel at each and every time, and something that also offered a weird sense of comfort with its continued presence.
But of course that couldn’t always be the case. How could it? The number of bars, businesses and homes I’ve seen disappear or become derelict of late amply prove that. As did the scene below, when I was walking along, expecting to stroll past the old pickle shop once again.
This old alleyway is a popular place for people to pass through. It also turned out to be the perfect place to stop, drink and happily pass the evening.
Sadly 63% of Tokyo does not look like this, but the fact that some of it still does is definitely worth celebrating.
When you work all day in a dark little alleyway, idyllic visions of the world outside are clearly deemed necessary.
Despite Tokyo being a city of ramen lovers, there’s also a seemingly never ending number of ramen shops, so whether the owner of the little eatery below lost the battle of increased competition, or simply lost the battle against time, I don’t know. The wonderfully dated nature of the fittings, however, do seem to suggest it was the latter, and such an ending sadly wouldn’t be the only one I’ve photographed this year. Yet whatever the reason, the place still looks absolutely incredible despite being abandoned.
The narrow alleyway on the left led up to a couple of second floor rooms which were interesting enough. Or the combined cassette and 8 track karaoke machine was anyway.
But music player aside, it’s without a doubt all about those stunningly retro red chairs.
