Photography
A large retro robot in a small Tokyo park
A lot of Tokyo’s little urban parks have concrete playthings and structures. Animals for the most part, but occasionally bigger, more colourful additions such as this previously photographed gazebo of sorts. What aren’t so common, on the other hand, are large, retro-looking robots that double up as slides.
Rumour has it that this particular creation also wanders about when everyone is sleeping. A nice little story that sounds like it’s straight out of a kids’ book, although the fella in the corner of the next to last photo is possibly suggestive of something altogether more sinister.
Sights and sounds from a dystopian Japanese drinking alley
With trains regularly rattling by behind us, and lots of people walking past, this ramshackle old alleyway was definitely an unusual place to drink. In fact, its unique characteristics made it feel like the absolutely best place to drink — no two ways about it. A spot so special that the photos really don’t do it justice, so I’ve also included a bit of audio to try and better recreate the atmosphere.
A broken but unique-looking old Tokyo vending machine
Early last year I posted a set of old and broken vending machines that I’d photographed over several years. A few months later I managed to find a few more, and then later in the year got lucky again with a wonderful looking machine discovered in a long-abandoned apartment complex.
Now there’s another one to add to the collection. One so unique due to its television-like vending machines within a vending machine that it deserves a post all of its own. A lovely chance find that made a cold and dull day considerably brighter.
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.
