Photography

A friend and I first visited this wonderful old bar in 2019. Even then it was clear the area was changing. There were numerous gaps where old businesses once stood, and other plots already boasted brand new apartment buildings.

We went back again towards the end of 2023, and the little establishment was one of the last original structures remaining. Also, with its neighbours no more, the nearby train station was clearly visible. A thoroughly apt view, as its close proximity is what presumably made the land so sought after.

The end then was sadly imminent. Merely a matter of time before the demolition notice was delivered, calling last orders on 52 years of its lovely proprietors serving up drinks, food and good humour.

Except for once it wasn’t.

The bar was indeed pulled down not long after, but the owners carefully saved the counter, along with most of what made the interior so distinctive. All of which they moved into a slightly newer building not that far away, making for a reassuring and very rare case of renewal. A new spot that once we sat down felt just like the old one. Like a home from home.

For something else new, I’ve started a monthly newsletter. A way to talk a little more about certain images, Japan and photography in general, plus other stuff that tends not to work here or on social media. This first offering includes details about a couple of recent shots and some just about saved film photos. Oh, and print sales too.

If that sounds of interest, you can access it on the web here, and this is the subscribe form for future updates:

Wandering Tokyo with a camera always feels worthwhile, as do the brief sights and encounters of local daily life, so these are some such moments taken during a couple of my recent Tokyo photowalk tours.