The historic Shimokitazawa Station Market is almost about to be pulled down to make way for the new train station and it's breaking my heart. Many of the small bars, vegetable shops and restaurants that were located in this traditional Japanese market when I first moved to Tokyo two and a half years ago have already closed down. There are only a handful of shops, one bar and a yakitori restaurant still open for business.
I took my 50mm lens out today looking for photos (is there any better way to pass a sunny afternoon?) and, with it's moody lighting and rich textures, the Shimokitazawa Station market was a perfect location.
If you get the chance, please come to Shimokitazawa and wonder through this market before it's gone forever.
Beautiful! :-) nice post to see first in the morning on a sunday.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! You inspire me to get out with me camera more as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these, it's so sad to see it go isn't it. After it's gone there will be probably tall modern building and it will all be so different just like how dramatically Daikanyama changed after beautiful historical apartment blocks got torn down! Sad!
ReplyDeleteJust reminded me of this photo I took here in 2005, it was still pretty "live" back then:(
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikihiki/9308850/
Hiki-chan, That's such a lovely shot! I remember it was almost like that when I moved here and now I wish I took more photos. It's so sad to see it being pulled down :( xoxo
DeleteI hope the 'drink alley' in Shibuya won't be pulled down for many years to come. Remember that nice photo you too when the clock struck midnight on my 30th birthday! x
DeleteI like to embrace change, but sometimes it can be so saddening. Well done for making this record of the places you love.
ReplyDeleteOh NO! I was just talking about it last night and how it would be a great place for a photo excursion for the girls when we visit in March!!!
ReplyDeleteI really like this place ! always when i walk for here i feel in time machine for me is favourite when all the red lights are lit
ReplyDeleteyou have very lucky that live near to this place
xoxo
Such beautiful photographies and you captured Shimokitazawa so well. I just discovered your blog via Satsuki's blog and really love your style. Your Tokyo guide book looks amazing! I want to have it by myself (I'm from japan, but haven't been able to go to Tokyo much lately)! p.s. What a fun name "Hello Sandwich" I'll never forget your name :) xo akiko
ReplyDeleteStyle Imported
That'so sad to hear :( I was just walking through those streets the other day. Some of them were blocked off near the station... now I know why. great photos as always
ReplyDeleteI live in the U.S. Nonetheless, I can empathize with you.
ReplyDeletethat so interesting images show the whole reality of this place!!
ReplyDeleteoh nooo! its being torn down!? :-(
ReplyDeleteyou took some WONDERFUL photos to remember it by Ebony!
suuuch great attention to detail!
i remember walking through these market alleys when i visited, and im glad i got the chance to before its gone :-(
great shots- so wonderfully moody. now i'm sad that this market is closing down and i've never visited it. so beautiful.
ReplyDeletequestion: do you think may is a good time to visit tokyo? i really wanted snow, but will it still be lovely weather? or too hot then?
Never visited tokio but your pictures are so nice!
ReplyDeleteI visited Shimokitazawa in early 2011 when I was visiting my brother who also lives in Tokyo. We walked all around the streets in Shimokitazawa one day and I absolutely loved it. I was so sad to read that it is all going to change soon....I wanted to go back there when I next come to Japan. :-) You really have captured the atmosphere of that beautiful place so well.
ReplyDeleteI lived there in the early 90s. The pictures are beautiful. It will be sad to see what the station looks like the next time I visit the town.
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