Sanya, Tokyo’s poorest neighbourhood, is changing fast just like the rest of the city. Demolition is rife, and shiny new apartment blocks are going up everywhere — slowly but surely making many of the streets unrecognisable. Good in many ways, but for a lot of residents, nothing much has changed at all, with life in and around the area’s cheap, cramped and very basic accommodation pretty much the same as it has always been.
It’s a location that used to be a hub for day labourers, but nowadays, many of the pay-by-the-night rooms from that era are filled with those sent long-term by the local ward office. A place to essentially disappear those deemed undesirable. Elements that mean I tend to shoot differently in Sanya, very often asking if it’s fine to take a photo. Like the portrait of the man in the eighth frame. An approach that on the whole I personally don’t feel is necessary in other parts of the city.
So with all that said, below are some scenes taken recently when passing through.
Sean says
I recognize the building in the first shot and lovin the birds eye view. Just wow!
Richard says
Me, too!
Lee says
Thanks, glad you both appreciated that. A view I find similarly fascinating. Offers a whole different perspective.
Richard says
Looks like the gap on the left side between the two buildings is increasing towards the top. Is the grey building leaning a bit to the right?
On the one hand, I wonder how much longer some of these buildings will be around. On the other, with Japan’s declining population maybe they will be left alone.
Thanks for these great photos!
Lee says
That’s a good question. I assume so, but it has been like that for years.
I think in Tokyo they’ll eventually get demolished. The population here continues to grow as places outside the cities empty, although that said, amazing how many abandoned properties there are in Tokyo.
You are very welcome as always.
Rob Harris says
I note your comment asking for permission to take the portrait of the man in the eighth frame – and wonder if, because it’s an area of Tokyo that’s changing so fast, that also you’re drawn to visit it more often so that you’re able to capture something of the area that will soon be lost forever?
Lee says
Asking him was definitely the right thing to do I think. Certain situations warrant such an approach, and that was one of them.
That’s a good point. There is that aspect just like so many other areas, but I’ve also been drawn to this part of the city for years now. It has always looked and felt very different from the rest of the Tokyo. Looks wise that difference is now slowly disappearing, but the atmosphere is still unique and the people friendly.
cdilla says
The sunny weather on some of these really warms the scenes.
I feel fortunate to have been shown some of these first hand, in addition to seeing them here and on my own rotating backdrops.