Tokyo’s Akihabara district has certainly been given a facelift over recent years, allowing it to further cement its reputation as an otaku mecca of sorts. A shift that, along with fancy new buildings, has also resulted in arguably more maid cafes than regular, run-of-the-mill ones.
But, at its heart, the area is still all about gadgets and their assorted paraphernalia, and as such, the moniker ‘Electric Town’ still holds true. A feature that continues to attract large numbers of tourists and Tokyoites alike.
However, like many parts of the capital, below the surface it’s not as high-tech, or indeed wholesome, as it may first appear.
Charlie Brooker doesn’t travel light, hey?
No, apparently not!
What is that, a freakin pallet jack? American bums just stick with shopping carts.
I don’t know to be honest. Not something I recall seeing before.
the scenario is the same everywhere.
from one cart to another…
Sadly that’s all too true…
So sad. So heartbreaking. Yet so common. At least he has “work” and a way to make a little money. Side note: is he walking against traffic?
Yes, and getting ever more common too.
Nah, he’s on the right side of the road. Don’t know what those arrows marked on the road are for.
That looks like it’s almost all cans. If he is taking them to a recycling facility (I’m sure they have those in Japan, yes?) then it could be quite a bit of money he’s pushing around. Certainly not an easy “job”, but he’s definitely going for it. If that’s the case.
Yes, a lot of homeless collect cans and take them to the recycling centre. Don’t know how much money they get, but what little it is, it must help them survive.
Well spotted, I have a similar shot of a person collecting recyclable garbage in Ginza around the shops.
Thanks. I sought out your Ginza fella. Lovely shot.
If he crushed the cans first his job might be a little easier.
It is very sad to see this photo but poverty is everywhere, the surface of the city may look beautiful to tourists but what make it beautiful is the imperfect society we live in and many other sad factors.
Hope all can collectors survive with small change they get, hope them and many others best of luck.