2008
07.06
Take your pick
This is the place that inspired Ridley Scott when creating the street food scenes in the movie Bladerunner apparently…
Japan Times article on Shunjuku
2008
07.05
Nearly bought an EOS 1D… Nearly bought a 5d with a 50mm L 1.2 as well. Not to mention a Sigma DP1. Or the Epson RD1s. But I didn’t. Because as much as they’re all amazing, I’m totally still completely taken with the Leica rangefinder and very much considering a move back to film too – especially as there are a couple of darkrooms you can use in Brighton for a small fee apparently…
So, all up, a great day of geeking, fondling sexy cameras and exploring the little anime shops in Akihabara. Off to the Leica Gallery tomorrow afternoon…
2008
07.05
We went along to an area of small alleys well known for the Yakitori (barbecued chicken/pork etc on sticks). The main alley is pretty historical and known by a few different names, not least: “Shonben yokocho” (Piss Alley) and “Omoide yokocho” (Memory Alley).
Thanks to Boris (an almost native Tokyoite now!) here’s why this particular alley has these names:
“Memory alley because it is very old. After the big fires of Tokyo at the end of WWII, this area of what later became Shinjuku (sort of “new hospitality area”: 新 shin: new, 宿 shuku/juku: stop on a journey, where you can get food and lodging, transit point ) was totally barren and lawless. This alley was where they first started opening businesses again, namely blackmarkets and food stalls…
Piss alley because, well… it’s near one of the seedier parts of Tokyo. (Kabukicho, Goldengai, etc)
“