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Oct 31 2011 11 Comments

Confined to a tiny kiosk, on a train station platform, in Tokyo

Convenience stores are so common in Tokyo that they make the likes of even Starbucks seem scarce. Or at least they do in some places. Like near train stations for example, where it’s very rare indeed to step outside and not find at least one fantastically stocked and forever open 7-Eleven or Sunkus.

Yet despite this, along with the ever-present and even more multitudinous vending machine, many train station platforms still have their own stores. Horribly confined little cubicles that afford the staff barely enough room to move, let alone have a moment to themselves. Plus if they are underground like this one, there isn’t even the simple pleasure of some fresh air.

Tokyo train platform kiosk

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Teresa says

    10/31/2011 at 11:35 am

    It’s a prison of snacks and magazines! I feel claustrophobic just looking at this.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/31/2011 at 7:57 pm

      Yes, it’s not somewhere I’d fancy working. Total lack of privacy too.

      Reply
      • Lizzy says

        11/1/2011 at 7:46 am

        I actually wouldn’t mind it so much. People come to you (as opposed to my last job where I practically had to wander the store accosting customers) and you don’t have to worry about someone sneaking up on you. And I’m assuming the rate of shoplifting there is still much lower than here. Sign me up for the sale box!

        Reply
        • Lee says

          11/1/2011 at 9:35 am

          Next time I pass one, I’ll put your name forward!

          Reply
  2. Peta says

    10/31/2011 at 1:07 pm

    Love this. Looks great in B&W!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/31/2011 at 7:57 pm

      Cheers Peta!

      Reply
  3. winnie says

    10/31/2011 at 4:40 pm

    It’s was so small like pigeon hole.
    Just enough for one or maybe two person in one place.
    But I love this picture as it have a “Retro” feel!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      10/31/2011 at 8:00 pm

      Thanks Winnie. Yeah, they could possibly squeeze another person in, although there wouldn’t be much point!

      Reply
  4. misiltan says

    11/1/2011 at 3:07 am

    Nice shot, I used to buy snacks and black coffee before train coming…

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/1/2011 at 9:34 am

      Cheers. Yeah, despite all the other options, I’ve done the same myself more than a few times.

      Reply
  5. Warren says

    11/5/2011 at 11:16 am

    The first time I came to Japan in 2001, one of my first sights stepping off the metro in Ikebukero was a “Let’s Kiosk” on tge platform. It was at that point I KNEW I was in Japan.

    Reply

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