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Nov 09 2011 13 Comments

Sugamo, the Harajuku for old ladies

Sugamo, the so-called Harajuku for old ladies, is thankfully not an area awash with geriatric gothic lolitas, but is instead a shopping area geared up for the elderly women (and indeed men) who flock there. Jizo-dori, its main thoroughfare, is lined with shops and stalls selling the kind of clothes, food and assorted bric-a-brac that appeal to its target audience; all of whom hustle and bustle their way between them and the street’s popular Koganji Temple, or Togenuki Jizo as it’s also known.

Despite the age of those who predominate, however, there is no hanging about. Not by any stretch of the imagination. If you are in the way, you’ll be moved out of the way.

Sugamo old ladies

Sugamo also isn’t an area simply catering to the elderly — it’s run by them too. Many of whom should have officially retired years ago.

Sugamo old ladies

These old-timers and a few young bucks offer food and snacks of a much more traditional nature. The variety of which can clearly be dazzling.

Sugamo old ladies

Plus along with numerous medical aids and potions for sale, the temple priests do a busy one-on-one trade in health-based prayers and blessings.

Sugamo old ladies

Presumably after which some decidedly non-healthy food can safely be consumed.

Sugamo old ladies

Also, like most areas of this nature, there are plenty of characters. Both walking about.

Sugamo old ladies

Sugamo old ladies

And working.

Sugamo old ladies

Many of whom, like those who visit, are intent on making the most of it.

Sugamo old ladies

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meow • Japan & Urbex says

    11/9/2011 at 6:20 pm

    I didn’t knew you were using a Leica M8. On which articles are you using it by the way? And which lense do you use in general?

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/9/2011 at 7:24 pm

      I wasn’t, until last week! The previous four posts were taken with the M8. No Lieca glass though, got a 35 Zeiss 35mm f/2 on it at the moment. I have been using a Nikon D300, with more often than not (at least as far as street photography goes) the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4 on it. I wanted something less conspicuous though, so a rangefinder made total sense. It’s a great change of pace and mixes things up nicely.

      Reply
      • Franz Scheurer says

        11/11/2011 at 5:59 pm

        Bought an M9 and 35+85mm lenses for the same reason; DSLR too big. The Leica is incredibly easy to use, quiet and I love it.

        Reply
        • Lee says

          11/13/2011 at 11:00 pm

          Yes. The more I use my M8, the more I like using it.

          Reply
  2. thesoulofjapan says

    11/9/2011 at 6:38 pm

    Good piece! Been wanting to get up that way.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/9/2011 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks! It’s well worth a visit. Fascinating place.

      Reply
  3. Shizuo says

    11/10/2011 at 7:13 am

    Nice as usual 😀

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/10/2011 at 7:54 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. winnie says

    11/10/2011 at 3:53 pm

    Beautiful pictures!! 🙂
    I had not been to Sugamo yet. Between Otsuka and Komagome in Yamanote Line?
    It seem like very interesting place to go to!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/10/2011 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks Winnie! Yeah, that’s the place. Well worth a visit. It’s pretty much just one fairly long street, but there’s plenty to see.

      Reply
  5. Augusto says

    11/11/2011 at 9:32 pm

    Great article! Reminds me of some of our neighborhoods over here in Brazil.
    Cheers

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/13/2011 at 10:28 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Sucharewicz says

    11/23/2011 at 12:02 am

    Nice documentary! And great pictures, the guy with headphones rox 😀

    Reply

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