Photographs from a small group of islands
Tokyo changes all the time, and the city’s vast array of modern shops continues to grow on a daily basis. Move away from the capital’s main hubs, however, and it’s still possible to see businesses that have barely changed in decades. Local stores that somehow keep going, with their owners diligently opening every morning despite the likelihood of little in the way of custom.
Here then are some such examples photographed over the last week or so.
Regularly returning to certain areas is a key part of my photography. For starters, the scenes involving people are always going to be different, plus, and particularly so in recent years, rampant demolition is constantly changing how those locations actually look.
This long-term stay hotel in Tokyo’s poorest neighbourhood, however, has barely changed at all. Well, apart from a recent trim that is. A sight that never ceases to amaze, so when the light is on the softer side, it’s impossible not to wait outside for a while to try and photograph any activity. Invariably there isn’t any, but occasionally things do happen, and opting to shoot with a slightly wider lens the other week, the results look a little different from previous efforts.
Here then is a mixture of those recent shots, along with some of those from the past. An ongoing document of this incredible structure, and another record of how truly resplendent it looks covered in its full summer foliage.
One of the wonderful things about Tokyo is that you can never be completely sure what lies around the next corner, making it a city of regular surprises and new discoveries. With that in mind then, this is a series of corners taken over the last week or so. Fragments of the city that hint at potential new finds, as well as highlighting the sheer variety of structures and sights one can always find.
This old shop with its dated sign, tattered awning and broken vending machine has long been a favourite. When it closed down I have no idea, but it was quite some time ago to say the least, as its appearance hasn’t changed in years. A structure that was a landmark of sorts for me, and one I always enjoyed seeing. Also, despite far too many photographic failures, I thankfully did manage to incorporate a suitable person in a couple of frames.
The building’s demolition, however, always seemed inevitable. In fact I’m amazed it lasted as long as it did. And so a few weeks ago, when approaching once again, a sad but increasingly common Tokyo sight came into view.
Film photography has enjoyed a considerable renaissance in the last few years or so, but whereas camera and film prices have soared, old school neighbourhood photography shops still continue to disappear.
This one is on a busy street near a university, so a lot of people walk by every day, but the owner said he doesn’t get much custom, plus none at all from the passing students. As such, he had very little in the way of stock, just some Kodak Gold and UltraMax. A gradual fading away for a shop he took over from his grandfather, and one that has been in business for six decades. How many more years he will add to that tally is hard to say, but what is for certain is that there’s no next generation family member waiting in the wings.
