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Feb 10 2012 22 Comments

Elevator girls

The title may sound more like a pop song than a profession, but elevator girls can still be seen in Tokyo. Not so often. And presumably not nearly so much as many moons ago. But, in this day and age, it’s still a calling that seems strangely archaic.

Japanese elevator girl

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brett says

    2/10/2012 at 1:15 pm

    On the plus side, it injects $3.7 million a year into the spiffy hat and gloves manufacturing industry.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/10/2012 at 5:22 pm

      Better still, the gloves look like they might be those favoured by taxi drivers too.

      Reply
  2. Jeffrey says

    2/10/2012 at 1:51 pm

    That mask! That glove! She must have been a huge fan of Michael Jackson is later years.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/10/2012 at 5:23 pm

      Now you mention it, that’s all I can think of, but it hadn’t even crossed my mind til I read your comment.

      Reply
  3. Linette says

    2/10/2012 at 1:51 pm

    So that’s where Michael Jackson got his look.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/10/2012 at 5:24 pm

      Perhaps that’s why he opted for just one glove — to distance himself from elevator girls!

      Reply
      • Jeffrey says

        2/11/2012 at 1:47 am

        There’s a snarky joke there involve girls and distance that I can’t quite bring myself to typing.

        Reply
  4. LAObserver says

    2/10/2012 at 2:13 pm

    Nothing wrong with a business expressing customer appreciation through convenient services. Bravo on Nippon !

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/10/2012 at 5:26 pm

      That’s very true. Something that’s certainly appreciated (or at least expected) here. Still seems a bit demeaning though.

      Reply
  5. Meow • Japan & Urbex says

    2/10/2012 at 2:53 pm

    Are you sure she’s not one of those famous pick pocket women?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/10/2012 at 5:27 pm

      If she is, she was rubbish. Or that good I just haven’t realised I was robbed!

      Reply
  6. Ed says

    2/10/2012 at 5:29 pm

    Right on, Jeffrey! I even thought for a second, this IS M.J.

    Reply
  7. Gijs says

    2/11/2012 at 6:11 am

    I’ve seen elevator men too in Japan, they just don’t stop talking about the doors and floors! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/11/2012 at 10:32 am

      Yeah, they do like to let people know what is on each floor.

      Reply
  8. Lizzy says

    2/11/2012 at 7:30 am

    I’ve never been in an elevator that was ‘manned’ by anybody, but there’s still something very endearing about this image. I really like it.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/11/2012 at 10:35 am

      Cheers Lizzy. Japan is the only place I’ve seen them, although they are far from common theses days.

      Reply
      • Ed says

        2/11/2012 at 4:38 pm

        Last century, during the communist era, in the capital of the country where ozeki Kotooshu is from, I’ve seen them in the Central Universal Mall, seriously. It wasn’t more than five-level mall.

        Reply
        • Lee says

          2/12/2012 at 2:22 pm

          Probably no more these days, unless the big fella is sponsering them.

          Reply
  9. mimi says

    2/12/2012 at 11:12 am

    Kinda creepy to me. Do they have to wear that hat?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      2/12/2012 at 2:23 pm

      Yes, all part of the uniform. That, and the gloves.

      Reply
  10. lina says

    2/18/2012 at 9:22 pm

    I agree. Seen them a lot when I first visited Japan years ago, but hardly ever seen them during our most recent visits. Maybe I didn’t go to posh enough places to see them. ^^

    Reply
  11. asansörler says

    3/2/2012 at 5:22 pm

    they just don’t stop talking about the doors and floors!

    Reply

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