Tokyo Times

And smoker.

When growing up, one of the most popular children’s TV shows was Rainbow; a programme based around a house inhabited by a man, a bear, a pink hippo and an odd-looking puppet with a zip for a mouth. However, despite such a memorable premise, what always stuck in my mind was the theme tune. A song that, despite its brevity, effortlessly captured the wonder and optimism of childhood. And even though I hadn’t heard the music for more years than I’d care to remember, it’s what unexpectedly popped into my head when I took the photograph below. The lyrics suddenly much more poignant than positive:

Up above the streets and houses, rainbow climbing high,
Everyone can see it smiling, over the sky.
Paint the whole world with a rainbow.

Tokyo, of course, has no shortage of modern, fancy shops and supermarkets. Plus these days there are convenience stores on what seems like every other corner. But in older parts of the city, traditional little shopping streets still manage to survive. Places run by locals, for locals and largely catering for their simple daily needs.

Originally constructed in 1931, then totally rebuilt 7 years ago, Yubiso station in Gunma prefecture doesn’t boast the same dystopian feel or scale of the relatively nearby Tsutsuishi. What it does have, however, is a distinct and decidedly stark beauty.

There’s the almost monolith-like entrance.

Plus its two, very minimalist concrete tunnels.

This one in particular benefitting, at least appearance-wise, from the cold, damp surroundings.

The tiny waiting room, on the other hand, is a slightly different story. Admittedly it does have a window, but for the station’s 20 or so daily passengers, it’s a rather bleak spot to wile away the time between the none too frequent trains. Particularly so, one would imagine, during the region’s long, very harsh winters.

As inscrutable expressions go it’s a good one, but at the same time it’s as appealing as it is impenetrable.