Tokyo is often commended for its cleanliness; a compliment that on the whole is very much warranted. But, perhaps inevitably, certain spots are as grubby and thoroughly unwelcoming as those found in most of the world’s big cities.
Dirty, quite disgusting, Tokyo
Hans ter Horst says
I do like the way you included your own shadow in this; it it happens naturally it does look like fun. That is one dirty place, I can smell the stale tobacco from here.
Lee says
Cheers. Not something I usually do, but in this photo it seemed to work.
winnie says
It’s really so dirty! And smelly too.
Don’t the smokers feel disgusting while standing near/ beside it smoking?!
Lee says
Yeah, not the nicest spot, but with designated smoking spots all over the city these days, I guess they don’t have much choice.
Marc says
I had the fortunate experience of spending a few days in Manhattan and then flying directly to Tokyo. Being from the Midwestern US at that time – this is a lot of culture shock. However, what is most quickly noted is how much cleaner Tokyo in general is than NYC in general. Not to say that Tokyo does not have its’ dirty spots and NYC its’ clean ones. But to even think that a smoker on the streets of NYC would use an ashtray (if one was even available) is laughable! Cars stop at traffic lights and empty their ashtrays into the streets here!
Lee says
That’s funny!
Yeah, Tokyo does have its dirty spots, but it’s far cleaner than most cities I’ve visited.
GenjiG says
I love Japan but I hate you can still smoke in most restaurants. It really hurts the wonderfully diverse Japanese food…
Lee says
Yeah, it’s an odd one that smoking on the street isn’t allowed, but in restaurants it is. Although that said, things have changed enormously over the last few years.
GenjiG says
True, it is getting better. Hopefully even better by May when I go again 🙂
Lee says
May could be a bit too soon! Definitely a lot of restaurants that have separate smoking sections now though. Especially if they are more eating than drinking places.
GenjiG says
I’ve noticed that, non-smoking sections a good step in the right direction! And of course you cant expect an izakaya to be smokeless. But I know a nice sushibar/restaurant near Tsukiji market where is is still ok to smoke. Sushi and smoke don’t mix so you’re ‘always’ hoping no one will light one up…
Then again, this is Japan and it is (still) part of the (amazing) deal! (^^)