I guess those bottles might be less effective for dark cats. It actually first reminded me of
“We’ve bred all our kittens white
So you can see them in the night”
– ‘God is in the House’ by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
..maybe the white hat and socks.
I’ve never quite worked out those cat blocking bottles. If indeed they do work, do they just keep cats away from that bottle surrounded spot, or the area in general?
One day I’ll have to try and grab an unsuspecting cat and pop it down in a bottle heavy area and see what happens!
That’s a great line and yeah, a nice fit considering the old lady’s choice of clothing,
Yeah, often lots of shutters in places like this. This one rather surprisingly is still doing ok. Mostly snacks, which, on the whole, somehow seem to survive the changes times.
My wife and I were in Osaka in Nov 2019. When we walked through one of these arcades close to the central train station, I was shocked at the number of small stores which had shut down. I guess maybe 50% of them had gone out of business! This was pre-pandemic. Had population decline and online shopping devastated retail businesses that much in recent years?!?
Yeah, they’ve been disappearing for years. A generation coming to an end I think, and also a generation of younger Japanese who (quite understandably) have no desire at all to carry on the family business.
There is something about rust and neon that appeals to me. (https://www.tokyotimes.org/an-old-tokyo-video-shop/)
I actually had this arcade bookmarked from my previous streetmap wanderings, or rather the other entrance, which has an identical sign.
A place to visit, for sure.
Once (translated) google review includes “…it was dim and deep and difficult to enter…” Marvelous.
Thank you for continuing to bring us views of Tokyo while we cannot visit.
You and me both. Can’t explain properly in words, but there’s a sort of melancholy beauty about them. Always a treat to see.
It’s definitely worth a visit. A few other places of interest nearby too. Only small, but interesting in that it’s dog-leg-shaped. Don’t see many like that.
Ah, that description is perfect. If I’d read that beforehand I’d have used it to go along with the photo.
Oh, and you are more than welcome. The wait goes on, but at least the vaccines are now rolling out. Finally getting them here at the end of next month. Or at least that’s the current prediction.
Thank you, and good call. I was so enamoured with how it looked when I took the photo, that I hadn’t even thought about how it would look at night. Totally agree too. Must be even more stunning.
john says
and some of the shrubbery is too, but at least there are no cats to trip over down dark alleyways.
Lee says
So long as it’s not a black cat…
john says
I guess those bottles might be less effective for dark cats. It actually first reminded me of
“We’ve bred all our kittens white
So you can see them in the night”
– ‘God is in the House’ by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
..maybe the white hat and socks.
Lee says
I’ve never quite worked out those cat blocking bottles. If indeed they do work, do they just keep cats away from that bottle surrounded spot, or the area in general?
One day I’ll have to try and grab an unsuspecting cat and pop it down in a bottle heavy area and see what happens!
That’s a great line and yeah, a nice fit considering the old lady’s choice of clothing,
Alec says
I’m loving the old sign with those 1960s (?) tiles.
Lee says
Yeah, it’s a bit special, isn’t it? Not sure about the dates, but that could easily be about right.
Richard says
Even before the pandemic many of these local arcades had empty stores. The Mom and Pop businesses were already struggling to survive.
Lee says
Yeah, often lots of shutters in places like this. This one rather surprisingly is still doing ok. Mostly snacks, which, on the whole, somehow seem to survive the changes times.
Richard says
My wife and I were in Osaka in Nov 2019. When we walked through one of these arcades close to the central train station, I was shocked at the number of small stores which had shut down. I guess maybe 50% of them had gone out of business! This was pre-pandemic. Had population decline and online shopping devastated retail businesses that much in recent years?!?
Lee says
Yeah, they’ve been disappearing for years. A generation coming to an end I think, and also a generation of younger Japanese who (quite understandably) have no desire at all to carry on the family business.
Richard says
Good point about the younger generation, thanks!
Paul says
Lovely. The big sign at the center is gorgeous.
Lee says
Cheers. Yeah, that sign is an absolute stunner. So much to like.
cdilla says
There is something about rust and neon that appeals to me. (https://www.tokyotimes.org/an-old-tokyo-video-shop/)
I actually had this arcade bookmarked from my previous streetmap wanderings, or rather the other entrance, which has an identical sign.
A place to visit, for sure.
Once (translated) google review includes “…it was dim and deep and difficult to enter…” Marvelous.
Thank you for continuing to bring us views of Tokyo while we cannot visit.
Lee says
You and me both. Can’t explain properly in words, but there’s a sort of melancholy beauty about them. Always a treat to see.
It’s definitely worth a visit. A few other places of interest nearby too. Only small, but interesting in that it’s dog-leg-shaped. Don’t see many like that.
Ah, that description is perfect. If I’d read that beforehand I’d have used it to go along with the photo.
Oh, and you are more than welcome. The wait goes on, but at least the vaccines are now rolling out. Finally getting them here at the end of next month. Or at least that’s the current prediction.
Rogério says
What a amazing photo. The sign must be beautiful when turned on.
Lee says
Thank you, and good call. I was so enamoured with how it looked when I took the photo, that I hadn’t even thought about how it would look at night. Totally agree too. Must be even more stunning.