2008
07.06

Shonben yokocho, originally uploaded by Pete Barr-Watson.

Yakitori yokocho (“Yakitori alley”)
Shonben yokocho (“Piss alley”)
Omoide yokocho (“Memory alley”)

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

Train, lighting, originally uploaded by Pete Barr-Watson.

We went geeking today. All day. w00t!

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… :D

2008
07.05

Shinjuku, originally uploaded by Pete Barr-Watson.

Had a great evening out in Shinjuku last night.

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) ;)

2008
07.05

Yakitori, Shinjuku, originally uploaded by Pete Barr-Watson.

This photograph is beginning to freak me out now…

2008
07.05

Evening…


This evening…, originally uploaded by Pete Barr-Watson.

Wonderful sunset last night. Just to the right of this picture though, there was the hugest badass storm cloud forming. It never did pan out to anything though (at least, not for us here).