For over 50 years now, this cable car in west Tokyo has sat totally unused, but unlike so many abandoned structures, it’s still surprisingly intact. And together with having once chatted to a lovely old bar owner who rode in the cabin during the brief period it was in use, it’s not in the least bit difficult to imagine some of the memories still attached to the location.
Coli says
Really interesting to see someone inside this old machine. You’ve photographed this before right? I think I like this angle more, especially with the lighting and the woman’s darker attire. This is really enjoyable to look at.
Lee says
Cheers. Yeah, been before. A couple of shots from my last visit are here: https://leechapman.photos/the-abandoned/
With that in mind, thought I’d try something a bit different this time. Glad you find the results interesting.. Quite pleased with the way it came out.
Denton says
Really cool. I really like the kinda dated feel you’ve given it. Great shot!
Lee says
Thanks! That approach seemed to work for me. Good to hear you think the same.
cdilla says
When you see a photograph of something abandoned and decaying it gives you a certain feeling, but add to that the empathy you feel through seeing a person standing in the decay experiencing it first hand and it really does amplify the feeling.
Cleverly done.
Nice jacket the lady is wearing too, unusual colour.
Lee says
Thank you. It wasn’t something I planned to be honest. Or at least not til I got there and realised how little it had changed. It seemed like it might work. I like the results too, although I wasn’t quite sure why, so thanks for articulating the reason it does.
Oh, and I shall pass on the jacket compliment!
qqwest says
Really like this pic. Also the lady in the black jacket looks great — as if she is examining the cabin to see if it could start again. Like in those movies, aliens need the vehicle to go back…
Lee says
Thanks! Good to hear again that the addition of someone in the frame added to the photo.
If it did start again, after so long I’m not sure I’d want to be on it!
MrSatyre says
Reminded of this still operational death trap: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/sep/01/chiatura-georgia-soviet-cable-car-system
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! SPLAT!
Lee says
That is special. I’d like to go on it, and then at the same time, I wouldn’t…
YTSL says
I’m amazed to see something abandoned like this not having been actually dismantled. Couldn’t it have been reused or its parts recycled, metal melted down and re-used, etc.? Or was it that people thought it’d be a temporary thing for the cable car to have ceased operations but then the days became weeks, the weeks months, and months many years…?
Lee says
Good question. I’d imagine its closure was never expected to be temporary, but why nothing was dismantled I don’t know.. Perhaps simply seen as not worth the effort considering how troublesome and time consuming it would have been to do so?