(My photo-set from one of the coolest alleys I have visited in Tokyo…)
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Tokyo - Piss Alley - Memory Lane - Shinjuku - Japan
Tokyo is a city that excels in transporting you from the present right into the glowing heart of the future.
Most of its buildings are towering monuments of modernity constructed at what seems like a break-neck pace to house its ever-growing population.
And yet, if you search really hard, you can still find (slightly) hidden passages that reveal the Tokyo that rests in largely in the city’s memory.
Nestled amongst the buildings of East Tokyo in Shinjuku is a series of alleys …
…known by the names Piss Alley (小便横丁), Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho (思い出横丁), or (more commonly) Yakitori Alley.
My Blade Runner adoring heart could barely contain itself when I first turned the corner and entered this incredible area of Shinjuku.
The name Piss Alley is a reference to a time in its history when it (allegedly) was a popular spot for the shadier element to drink quite a bit. The urban legend (one of many) is that because it was such a popular drinking spot, people would relieve themselves in the alley itself. And so it was coined Piss Alley
In truth, you are not likely to find people relieving themselves in the alley in its present incarnation.
But names seem to stick - especially names that conjure up colorful narratives.
What you will find are a fair amount of bars…
And plenty of yakitori stalls which intimately seat only a few people at a time…
If you are going to visit Tokyo, I highly recommend visiting during cherry blossom season.
Nothing is more beautiful than seeing one of the largest cities in the world decked out in sakura blossoms…
Alleys in large metropolises with colorful pasts,
I love you.
Forever,
V.
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P.S. These are best viewed large. Click/tap each one to view larger at this link here:
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Taken last week in Tokyo where I was a guest of Sony (big thanks!).
Can’t wait to eventually show you all the video footage I have of this location too. My first Tokyo video is going up early next week most likely on . Excited!
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My best-selling released in stores/online worldwide recently. Info about the book (including many photos, sample pages, and info about my history and style of photography):
