Tokyo, and Japan in general, has no shortage of wonderfully old and faded structures — an aspect of the country I’ve documented on my portfolio site here, as well as on my Instagram feed which is almost entirely dedicated to such scenery.
These kinds of buildings, however, are far from equal, as this truly incredible example in the far west of Tokyo amply demonstrates. A local business that has textures and signage by the absolute bucket load. It’s one that’s still a going concern too, it just happened to be closed on the day the photograph was taken.
DavidT says
I totally understand why you like that sign. I can see a lot of history there! 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, there really is. Hopefully a lot more to come as well.
Linda Lombardi says
This is great. Go back and take one when it’s open!
Lee says
It’s a bit special, isn’t it?
I’ve been passed by several times when it has been open. Even popped in once and had the joy of marvelling at its small, carefully laid out ‘mature’ table. But each time the light has been from the wrong direction, making a photo difficult.
That said, the owner is just as lovely as her little enterprise, so one day everything will hopefully come together, allowing a perfectly lit shot of the shop and its proprietor together.
john says
I like those moth friendly spotlights and intriguing posters (dogs on the left).
I was wondering if they have little tables for ‘ (famous) miko’ and ‘manga’ besides ‘mature’.
Lee says
Yeah, could be quite a sight after dark.
It has some old, regular shelves if I remember correctly, but afraid to say I was too caught up with ‘mature’ table to take much notice of anything else!
Martin B says
Every so often one of your photo’s sets me off down the spooky horror movie route, this is another perfect one.
You’re driving down a dark country road, desperate to find a pay phone or rest room, up ahead you see the spot lights glowing in the fog, thinking yourself lucky you pull over to find…..this place, cue spooky music.
All it needs are a few of the local farmers scare crows stood outside and the scene would be truly terrifying, our heroes would, of course, take no notice and gratefully head in.
Lee says
Excellent. That gives the scene a completely different dimension. Always nice when somebody sees something totally differently.
cdilla says
What an incredible photograph. The colours and detail are amazing. I just want to zoom in forever to see all the textures and details up close.
Took a bit of finding, especially when google translate turned Futamatoa Station into Nimatao Station, but I am sorely tempted to take a trip out there now. Looks about three times as far out as the Ghibli museum, which didn’t take long to get to.
I also found this nice little page about the shop – this is the translated version.
https://tinyurl.com/y92wnlaq
Which led to me getting the artists, Shinji Tsuchimochi, book 100 Views of Tokyo. Just as well I’m on holiday today.
You really should get your own version of Utagawa’s classic published 🙂
Lee says
Cheers. It’s a truly wonderful old shop, isn’t it? And thanks for the link. That’s a lovely little homage to the place. Equally lovely drawings too.
Not a bad way to start a day off at all. Enjoy!
john says
It is all too tempting, that ‘100 Views’ .. even in Spanish! :o) but not in a bookshop near me.
cdilla says
The Japanese one does have some english in it too which I wasn’t expecting, but because it is mostly about the artwork I wasn’t expecting it. It’s a real joy to look through too. Around half the locations I recognised immediately and one or two could have been based on photos I have from my visits. Sadly, for now, the only option was in kindle format. I’ll look for it in Kinokuniya when I’m there in April. The West Tokyo book too.
john says
It is definitely a good case for a copy in real paper, and might be a good location spotting tool for future Tokyo Times images.
An Osaka book too .. what a collection!
Lee says
Yes, definitely. Recognised a good few, but plenty of interesting ones I didn’t.