Tuesday 13 September 2011

A Beacon of Rebirth Poster Project


I came across this gallery in Tokyo.

The website explains it clearly, so if you have time make sure that you go to it:

http://fukkou-noroshi.jp/
http://fukkou-noroshi.jp/en/


From the North exit of Koenji station, turn left and head towards McDonalds and keep going under the train tracks next to Central Road.
You'll come across an ethnic goods shop and a record store. Go inside.
The gallery is against the far wall.

Apparently you can take a poster.

Tuesday 23 August 2011

11th March 2011


When the big earthquake struck in March, I was aboard a train.
Not my best memory of Japan that, but certainly one that will stick in my mind.
I was on my way back to Koenji, between Kichijoji and Nishi Ogikubo stations.
When we were finally evacuated safely from the train the only way back was on foot...

Knowing how old and rundown a lot of the buildings are in Koenji, I wondered if any of them had been unable to withstand 5 minutes of an incredibly strong quake.

To my surprise and relief, the damage was minimal.

This, from what I could tell, was the worst of the damaged bulidings.
The outer wall had collapsed.
I took the pic on the 12th March.


Saturday 6 August 2011

55th Koenji Awaodori







The 55th Koenji Awaodori kicks off on the last weekend of August.
Recent years have seen the sweltering humidity beaten into submission from torrential rain, but that didn't put anyone off.

If you want some good street photos, be sure to get there early on the 27/28 August.
The actual dancing starts at 3pm both days instead of the usual 6pm. All part of Japan's continued reduction of electrcity outage

I'm posting up a pic that I took a few years ago.
One house near to my flat had put up two posters on their wall advertising the Awaodori at that time.
This wall was turned into a pile of rubble on the 11th March due to the earthquake.

Saturday 28 May 2011

Vintage shops










Now, it is a shame that the vintage British clothes store has closed. It was located under the train tracks and housed some vintage gear with a sixties and seventies style.

Coming from England, there was a real touch of nostalgia in that shop.


Second up, which is still about, is "Peace Face". Koenji has a lot of vintage clothes shops, but the name of this one is one of the best.

Monday 14 February 2011

PICKUP 高円寺






If, like me, you have a thing for trainers*, then the best place to go in Koenji is "Pick Up".
Located just off PAL.
Turn right past Village Vanguard and head down that narrow street.
There's a few good shops for new and used gear along this street, but that's for another time...

Pick Up has a good selection of trainers, some clothing and bags.
Trainers are deadstock, new and used.
The prices are very reasonable and they do have some vintage, which are, as to be expected, a little more pricey.
They have a website, but they have more trainers in shop than is featured on their site.

http://www.pickup-koenji.com/



*Trainers = sneakers for the US viewers

Nothing to see here...




So, you're out on a Sunday drive with your wife and baby in the car...when you suddenly decide to mount the curb and flip your car onto its side.
The blokes from the delivery company, in the green jackets, were quickly on the scene to rescue this family of three, unharmed.

After a quick interview session with the driver to determine what a complete fuckwit he is, everyone will be back home for an evening of shit Japanese TV (if you've ever seen a variety show here then you'll know what I'm on about) and a cup of cold green tea.