This old, rundown laundrette is in a similarly rundown part of Tokyo. Its interior isn’t wholly unique, as despite a relatively recent boom of fancy new ventures offering coffee and comfy chairs, it’s surprising how many rough and ready places still exist.
It’s the old school lift-like scissor doors that really set this one apart, and as such it has fascinated me for ages, so below is a small series of photos. Some taken just the other week, with others from quite a few years ago.
Günter says
I like the woman in the window.
Lee says
Cheers. Me too. She really made that shot.
Marc says
In Nagano we once had someone come in to the coin laundry while we were there. They placed their wash into a machine, then proceeded to strip down to nothing & throw those clothes in! Then they basically took a bath in the wash sink in the back corner!
Lee says
Blimey, that was a coin laundry experience and then some! I’d love to have been a fly on the walk to see your expressions when all that unfolded in front of you.
john says
That woman might be ‘guardian of the blooms’. (as opposed to ‘King of Trees’/ Yusuf)
I’m imagining the chair as coin operated too, and retracting into the wall when the time expires.
In your last image, the facilities may be sparse but with a can and concrete, the sun is at least shining!
Thanks.
Lee says
She was certainly closely watching what I was doing that’s for sure.
That’s funny. Could just imagine that. A brief warning sound or better still some kind of rumble feature in place to warn users of an impending retraction.
Yeah, despite probable hardships, he was very relaxed and at least briefly content when I took that photo.
john says
I suppose ‘impending retraction’ feature would be only fair, but something to cut through interesting news articles, loose change in the wash cycle and of course, the fast spin.
Richard says
Run down but people still wash their clothes.
Lee says
Yes. Needs must, plus the lockers in there seem to be well used.
cdilla says
For someone who loves aged textures there is a treasure trove here – thank you.
There is so much old Japanese in the lady of flowers photograph, though I did do a double take when I saw the “drone” hovering infront of the unpopulated window 🙂
Places like that make a damp day so appealing. I hope I’m as happy as the guy looks in that last photograph in my twilight years.
Lee says
You are very welcome. Always been fascinated by this place, so seemed like a good time to get some indoor shots just in case it disappears.
I hadn’t noticed the ‘drone’. Gave me quite a surprise when I saw it.
They do. Was an unexpectedly lousy morning, but getting that shot brightened it up enormously. And yeah, he seemed very relaxed. Not tapping away on his phone or immersed in a newspaper. Rather he just seemed happy to simply sit there with his own thoughts.