The contrasting sights of the old and new, modern and rundown, are constant finds in Tokyo. Similarly, while the demolition I regularly document takes away a lot of the city’s character, the empty spaces created, and the new structures that ultimately fill them, only add to the sometimes striking scenery.
Below then are some examples, and the first frame is a spot I’ve photographed before. This one is just the latest. The others, however, are all new discoveries.
YesterdaysHero says
Great snapshots of the past, present and future. The opening one in particular is just stunning.
Stay cool out there Lee.
Lee says
Thank you very much. Very fond of that little scene.
Cheers. I shall do my best. Just got to deal with it. Somehow.
Richard says
Sometimes the demolition allows one to see things that were once hidden. These are great, thanks!
Lee says
You are welcome, and yes, it really does. Invariably more than a few surprises when buildings are torn down.
cdilla says
It is amazing what a range of styles and ages you see in tokyo. I have my early morning walk around the Suitengu Temple area when visiting and am fascinated by scenes like these. It’s like two or more eras/cultures meshed together. Reminds me of the book “the City and the City”.
The last of these is the jewel for me – firstly for the jewel like nature of it’s fascade, and secondly for it leading me to discover an interesting Showa era cafe (Kojo) around the Bic Uniform corner. Marvelous looking inside and used for filming Showa era dramas – like that other one you took us took us in nearby. Would be nice to visit – smoke, lack of english and all 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, the contrasts and staggering array of styles are really quite something.
Ah, I had forgotten about that place. Walked past a while ago but still not been in. I shall have to correct that and see what it’s like. Got a job on its hands to top the one we went to though.
Linda says
I know that long-closed fruit shop and am surprised every time that it’s still there. I’ve never been able to get a good photo of it because I’d have to stand in the middle of traffic. I am glad I can assume that this photo is a triumph of having like, actual camera lenses and knowing how to use them, and that you did not risk your life for us 🙂
Also I know that senbei shop but only because I have this print of it
https://www.threads.net/@shinji_tsuchimochi/post/CvGPW88SWpo
It’s fun to see the real thing
cdilla says
I have also eaten crackers from that lovely little shop (the very spicey one – phew!) and also have the 100 views book, but had not looked at it since we swung by the real thing with Lee last visit. It’s on the bedside table to leaf through again and pop another post-it in. Thank you.
Lee says
That is a lovely drawing of the senbei shop. Such a great little corner in real life too.
The fruit shop I could mercifully shoot from across the street rather than standing in the road. That said, waiting for no traffic proved a bit frustrating.
Once an expat says
As one who spend twenty some year in Japan during showa and early Heisei, the photos are both nostalgic and yet saddening.
Lee says
Yeah, it’s genuinely sad to see so much character and history erased. Of course Tokyo has always been a city of change, but the future is increasingly looking very bland…