Piss Alley, Tokyo. by blinkings
Contains profanity
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This artwork contains mature content: profanity.
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Description
Just outside the west gate of Shinjuku station lies Omoide Yokocho (or Memory Lane), a collection of small bars, yakitori grills and food stalls that for locals is more than the sum of its parts. Its nickname, Piss Alley, a hangover from the heady post-WWII days, still perfectly suits the down-to-earth appeal of this little corner of Tokyo.
Starting out as an illegal drinking quarter in the late 1940s, this narrow side street quickly became a prime spot for cheap drinks, yakitori and cabaret-style hostess bars. Due to the lack of restroom facilities, patrons would wander off and relieve themselves on the nearby train tracks; it didn’t take long for Piss Alley to earn its name.
In those days, the area provided a social space for local residents who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford such luxuries as meat and alcohol in an impoverished, post-war economy.
Comments (7)
RG19
Great shot! My wife and are both in Champaign IL because of WWII. Signal school for the Navy was here and her dad was stationed in Australia and his mother in law threatened to move in with them :) That war surely changed everything!
Kordouane
A beautiful picture of a past that lasts, thank you for making us discover unusual places like this one
moochagoo
I never have been in Japan. Quite interesting.
ikke.evc
Great capture.
bakapo
A cool bit of history, there. A good shot of this tiny street, it's interesting to see things like this.
Chatar
Great shot and nice piece of history. Thanks for sharing.
DukeNukem2005
It's a very good 👍