Down an old and now more or less disused tunnel, one little bar remains. Catering for the small number of late afternoon drinkers who can squeeze inside, it’s the last business left, but even after several decades of serving drinks and really quite delicious food, the owners have no intention of quitting just yet. A decision that’s much appreciated by both the very regular regulars, and those that merely pop in unexpectedly.
Coli says
What an interesting place! If this were in black and white, the setting would seem very dystopian. I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like this before:) Interesting how every part of land is used well in japan, even under the highways.
Lee says
It really is, and likewise, never seen anything, or indeed anywhere, quite like it. It made for a fun, and very interesting evening.
I did toy with the idea of black and white, but eventually opted for colour as I like the photo of the bar that way. But it was a close call!
DavidT says
Awesome find! I’d love to drink in a dive bar like that! 🙂
Lee says
Very happy to have found it that’s for sure, and you won’t be surprised to hear that it was a great place to drink in!
YTSL says
I totally love how places like that exist in Japan — and how high the level of public safety in the country is that one feels able to explore them and the areas in which they are located.
Lee says
Yes, I couldn’t agree more. Japan is far from perfect, but these aspects in particular make it a really good place to live.
cdilla says
What an amazing environment to find such a bar in.
Treating us to three great photographs like this really lets us feel the atmosphere.
The one anomaly that stands out here is the yellow path track, indicating it was at least once a place of heavy footfall. Presumably at one or both ends of the path are stations or similar that are now closed.
The focus and clarity you have on the face of the proprietess shows your skill and really makes her the centre of the scene – especially when the photograph is “popped out” to its full size.
Lee says
Thanks. It’s a genuinely unique little spot, so good to hear some of that comes through in the photos.
It’s (sort of) still part of a functioning train station, so people do pass through. Not masses of people of course, but some. Clearly not enough to sustain the businesses that were once there though…
Cheers. It was a real struggle to get that photo as there was very little room to manoeuvre. Really could have done with something wider than 35mm, but just had to make do with what I had.
spanish fan says
Instant favorite! The business of my urban dreams.
Perhaps tellingly, the posters in the fridge are of the Japanese Communist Party for the 2019 elections (source: http://bit.ly/2RKT8HT).
Lee says
It really is something, isn’t it? We’d tried to get in months ago, but it was completely full, so it was great to finally drink in there. That said, we arrived just after 4:30pm and there was only enough room for us to squeeze in the corner at the back. Then later, when two customers left, we could move to the more comfortable counter seats where I took the photo.
Yes, that’s a good point. They definitely didn’t seem like your average Abe/LDP supporters.