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Nov 13 2020 8 Comments

Wonky and wonderfully taped up old Tokyo

In many ways, this former shop is a great example of old Tokyo. Ubiquitous modern vending machine aside, it’s full of character, patched up with tape, and perhaps more than anything, nothing seems quite straight or lined up — including the elderly owner’s cardigan.

wonky and taped up old Tokyo

Categorized: Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. john says

    11/13/2020 at 10:46 am

    She’s cool. I think she needs the cardigan with that aircon.. and is that a Polar Bear on the vending machine?
    You’ve certainly got an interesting angle on it all.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/13/2020 at 8:55 pm

      Haha, perhaps hence the open door too — to get some heat in! And yes, that is a polar bear, although he/she is standard issue. But not quite sure why as some of the drinks are hot…

      Reply
  2. Jenn says

    11/13/2020 at 1:09 pm

    I love it. She’s so adorable with that cardigan!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/13/2020 at 8:57 pm

      Thanks. And yes, she really is. No doubt about it.

      Reply
  3. Steve says

    11/13/2020 at 9:44 pm

    Alas, I’m distracted by the two outdoor units for the heat pump. They need room around them for air circulation to work efficiently. I guess that’s the best she can do.

    I heard from one Japanese citizen, who stands to inherit his parents’ home, that Japanese residences are frequently rebuilt when ownership changes hands. Thus the resale value of the used structure itself is not significant. The home will be worth less than I think it might. I wonder if this is the same with commercial property, so there is less incentive to maintain it.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/14/2020 at 10:07 am

      With space being an issue it more than likely was.

      Yeah, that’s absolutely true. Homes and old shops like this aren’t built to last, so once they get to a certain age, it’s the land that has the value, not the building. Invariably they aren’t worth refurbishing either, so demolition is the usual route — both for homes and old commercial properties.

      Reply
  4. cdilla says

    11/14/2020 at 5:59 pm

    Another great photograph capturing a sharp, focused slice of the history of the buildings and people of Tokyo.
    I really do want a large format photobook containing a portfolio of your home/store front and owners photographs.

    Those arn’t aircon units, they are thrusters used to make home deliveries to the highrise customers 🙂

    https://youtu.be/wRkW6lJBwPY?t=70

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/15/2020 at 9:39 am

      Cheers. Just as I was approaching the old lady appeared. Absolutely perfect timing. Ah, that would be nice indeed. Maybe one day.

      Haha, what a wonderful thought. Same shop in a completely different world and time.

      Reply

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