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.

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.

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.

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.

Koenji Awa Odori 2010

Pics from Sunday.

Koenji Awa Odori 2010

Some pics of 2010 Awa Odori.
Friday and Saturday night.

Koenji Awa Odori 2010

28th and 29th August marked the 54th Koenji Awa Odori.
Plus a little smaller festival on 27th, Friday night.

If you don't know about this festival, then you can see more from previous years in the links and whatnot on the right.

The festival is important for Koenji as it keeps places in business.
There's well over a million people, not including residents, such as myself, pass through the ticket gates to see it.
They spend a lot of money on beer and food, and it really is good for the local community.
Koenji is a place that needs this sort of business.

The last two years have pissed down for the whole weekend.
This year broke that trend, and Japan's summer unleashed a sweltering 35 degree heat.
Being from England, I'm not one that minds the rain, but not when Im carrying over 120,000yen (600 pounds in real money) of camera kit around.
When the sun set, the humidity hung around like a bad dose of herpes...not that I'd know about that.

Anyway, as is the norm with the Koenji Awa Odori, it made for a great weekend.
If you're in Tokyo during the last weekend of August, don't miss it.

Some more pics to follow in later posts...for now, I'll post just the two above.

Down on the Streets

Random night in Koenji.
North side hangout.

Usual spill-out after a gig, brings local musicians onto the streets to jam.

Koenji Daidogei - 1st May 2010

Grimy Backstreets

Character-building backstreets around Koenji.
Small bars and restaurants taking up space off the beaten track.
In the third picture down, there is even a tiny bar at at the dead-end.
You can see the lantern and the sign outside.