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Food and Drink

Jan 20 2021 10 Comments

7 minutes in the life of a 70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

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.

70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

70-year-old Tokyo restaurant

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Jan 13 2021 12 Comments

The end of a traditional old Tokyo pickle shop

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.

The end of a traditional old Tokyo pickle shop

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.

The end of a traditional old Tokyo pickle shop

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.

The end of a traditional old Tokyo pickle shop

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Jan 06 2021 10 Comments

Alleyway drinks, a lantern and an illuminated face

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.

Japanese alleyway drinks, a lantern and an illuminated face

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Jan 04 2021 10 Comments

A traditional old Tokyo alleyway

Sadly 63% of Tokyo does not look like this, but the fact that some of it still does is definitely worth celebrating.

An old and traditional Tokyo alleyway

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Dec 18 2020 11 Comments

Traditional Japanese snacks down a dark Tokyo alleyway

When you work all day in a dark little alleyway, idyllic visions of the world outside are clearly deemed necessary.

traditional little Japanese sweet shop in a dark Tokyo alleyway

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Dec 16 2020 9 Comments

A retro but abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

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.

A retro and abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

A retro and abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

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.

A retro and abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

A retro and abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

But music player aside, it’s without a doubt all about those stunningly retro red chairs.

A retro and abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

A retro and abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

Categorized: Food and Drink, Haikyo, Photography

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