The owner of the shop below started the business when she was 40 years old. Back then, penny sweet shops would have been fairly common, but as out of place as it seems today, a lot of little kids still enjoy going in. This big kid liked dropping by too. Whether I went in alone, or with clients on photowalks, the warm welcome and ready smile were always the same. The only thing that really changed was the old lady’s age. It tended to vary. Sometimes she was 91 or 92, and on other days it was 93 or 94. Also, she once told me she was going to call it a day at the end of the year, but of course come the following January, she was happily open again as usual.
Unfortunately, my fairly regular visits stopped due to the pandemic, but looking online one day, I read that she’d passed away. Hardly a surprise of course, but the shop still seemed to be open, so I wasn’t sure if the stories were true or not. Then, when walking by last week, I spoke to a local who confirmed that she had indeed died. Last year if he remembered correctly. Perhaps more surprising was confirmation that the shop is still going, as the daughter has now taken it over. That said, on this occasion at least, the quiet scene and closed shutters seemed appropriate, and yet at the same time it was a long life, and one that was spent doing what she clearly enjoyed doing. Longevity is a bit of a lottery of course, but managing the latter is definitely something to celebrate.
Richard says
Lovely story, thanks. My Mom used to say that ‘age is just a number.’ She remained youthful and engaged with the world until she was about 90 years old. Seniors like the shop owner or my Mom are great role models. I hope her daughter carries on in the same tradition despite the pandemic.
Lee says
Yes, they really are. The shop can’t have made much money at all, but obviously it made her happy. Made the people who went in happy too. She most definitely had her priorities right. Seems like the daughter does too.
ellen says
Thank you so much for sharing this. I know it’s sad but I think it’s such a lovely story. She spent most of her life doing what she enjoyed and she made other people happy. That is a life well lived.
Lee says
You are very welcome, and yes, she really did. A life lived happily really is a life well lived.
Denise says
This is such a beautiful and poignant post. Thank you!
Lee says
Thank you. And honestly, it was my pleasure. No doubt about it.
Gilles Poitras says
And the location is?
I wanna go there.
Lee says
Giving out locations here isn’t something I do. Just not what this site is about.
That said, when you are next coming to Japan, send me a mail and I’ll get a pin location for you.
Glennis says
Thank you for the natsukashii…
Lee says
You are very welcome. Taking these photos over the years was an absolute pleasure.
cdilla says
I have known nostalgia a few times over the years for places and times I have never experienced directly. Usually it is through novels, but in this case it is through your photographs and well crafted prose.
So different to the corner shops of my childhood, and yet so similar.
I’m one of those lucky people who can make a living doing what they enjoy – but it has to be said what I do doesn’t make people smile like this lady made her customers smile. Great to hear her daughter has taken over.
Lee says
Thanks a lot, that’s very encouraging to hear.
Yes, it’s different, and yet places like this almost feel universal.
That’s the thing that always hit home to me. She very clearly enjoyed what she did, and at the same time, the people who went in enjoyed it just as much as well. A very special place in that respect.
Rogerio Prado says
Love your writing as much as your photos.
Lee says
Thank you very much. That’s really good to hear. The photography comes much easier than the writing, so that gives me a very welcome confidence boost with the latter.
Once an Expat says
In the 3rd photo, are the photos hanging on the wall ones you snapped?
Lee says
Nah, they were already there when I first started visiting. I should have taken a few though. Not to put up there with them, but just as a gift. A way to say thanks. Too late now of course, but I can always give the new owner some photos of her mum. Hopefully she’d like that.
Steven says
It looks like she didn’t raise her prices much over the years. Where else can you still buy something for 10 yen in Tokyo?