Given the chance, I would rent an apartment across the street from the scene at 0:53 and take pictures of it for the rest of my life. What a wonderful spot. Of course it's really sad seeing so much torn down. I remember your last video around here and thinking to myself how I wanted to check it out on my next trip to Japan. Thanks for capturing what you could when you could.
It was indeed… really hits you how temporary so much of the stuff around us is eh? I take so many things for granted and think I can just come back again later to get the shot… except, I can’t anymore. I hope you get an opportunity to see more of Tokyo before it changes completely!
New subscriber here! Great video, relaxing, and inspiring. I visited the shotengai in 2017 and was an incredible visit. Brought back memories. I guess memories are all I have of the place given so much is to be redeveloped.
Welcome :) I’m glad you had a chance to see the area before they started tearing it down. I wish I had returned sooner and spent more time exploring, but I’m glad I have the pictures that I do… there’s so much in Tokyo that changes so quickly.
On the good side, you documented that area before they tore it down. Now who else has those photos? That would make for a good photo book or zine? Just something to think about.
Oh, how I can understand you and that you were sad about what you unexpectedly saw. With anticipation you went to the area you knew to film there at night and then something like that - nothing was the same anymore. It's true that things are constantly changing in a big city, but when the change is so obviously big and covers a huge area and you can't see what's behind it, then it's so disappointing and downright annoying. In this case it becomes very clear once again how valuable your work is, especially the film footage and photographs from the past. Greetings from afar - Monika
Yeah… a lot of these older communities are disappearing and it feels like the process of replacing them with something new has been accelerating lately. This case in particular was strange since they usually tear down one building at a time, leaving the others untouched until it’s the next building’s turn. Just seeing the massive walls erected in all directions and an entire district cordoned off was unreal. Anyway, have a great weekend :)
I could tell from the sad expression of your face, how disappointed and shocked you were. I had a similar experience a few months ago. All those unique and authentic places disappear one by one. I can understand partly. Those old drinking alleys are often a fire hazard, but there must be another way than just tearing them down. They will keep a few for the tourists from abroad or build fake ones like the one in Shibuya.
I definitely was. I was rather looking forward to seeing the area at night, but now, I’m not sure there is much reason for me to keep going back. There are still some things there, but it’s a shadow of what it once was. Oh well. Thus is life.
Given the chance, I would rent an apartment across the street from the scene at 0:53 and take pictures of it for the rest of my life. What a wonderful spot.
Of course it's really sad seeing so much torn down. I remember your last video around here and thinking to myself how I wanted to check it out on my next trip to Japan. Thanks for capturing what you could when you could.
It was indeed… really hits you how temporary so much of the stuff around us is eh? I take so many things for granted and think I can just come back again later to get the shot… except, I can’t anymore.
I hope you get an opportunity to see more of Tokyo before it changes completely!
Loving the night photography hits different keep up the good work mate
Thank you!
New subscriber here! Great video, relaxing, and inspiring. I visited the shotengai in 2017 and was an incredible visit. Brought back memories. I guess memories are all I have of the place given so much is to be redeveloped.
Welcome :)
I’m glad you had a chance to see the area before they started tearing it down. I wish I had returned sooner and spent more time exploring, but I’m glad I have the pictures that I do… there’s so much in Tokyo that changes so quickly.
Great video james. Loved the cinematic footage
Thank you!
On the good side, you documented that area before they tore it down. Now who else has those photos? That would make for a good photo book or zine? Just something to think about.
That is true. It’s a strange feeling since at the time I didn’t much care for the photos, but now that it’s all gone they mean so much more to me….
Great Job
Thank you :)
Did you find out why it was walled up and what's now there?. Assume new development of some sort
I haven’t been back there since this video, so I’m not sure. Almost certainly new development though.
A bit of that happening in Sydney too mate, all the old Historic stuff bulldozed for boring concrete and steel "modern" boxes @@jamesford_jp
It is sad indeed.
Oh, how I can understand you and that you were sad about what you unexpectedly saw. With anticipation you went to the area you knew to film there at night and then something like that - nothing was the same anymore. It's true that things are constantly changing in a big city, but when the change is so obviously big and covers a huge area and you can't see what's behind it, then it's so disappointing and downright annoying. In this case it becomes very clear once again how valuable your work is, especially the film footage and photographs from the past. Greetings from afar - Monika
Yeah… a lot of these older communities are disappearing and it feels like the process of replacing them with something new has been accelerating lately. This case in particular was strange since they usually tear down one building at a time, leaving the others untouched until it’s the next building’s turn. Just seeing the massive walls erected in all directions and an entire district cordoned off was unreal.
Anyway, have a great weekend :)
I could tell from the sad expression of your face, how disappointed and shocked you were. I had a similar experience a few months ago. All those unique and authentic places disappear one by one. I can understand partly. Those old drinking alleys are often a fire hazard, but there must be another way than just tearing them down. They will keep a few for the tourists from abroad or build fake ones like the one in Shibuya.
I definitely was. I was rather looking forward to seeing the area at night, but now, I’m not sure there is much reason for me to keep going back. There are still some things there, but it’s a shadow of what it once was.
Oh well. Thus is life.