Tokyo's retro shotengai arcades are falling victim to gentrification

14 pseudolus 4 7/19/2025, 12:17:10 AM theguardian.com ↗

Comments (4)

pilingual · 15h ago
The new construction projects are sad as evidenced by the horrendous Osaka train station. What a waste of space and concrete.

If Japan insists on these projects, they should look at Sanatana Row in San Jose or the Assembly in Somerville. Offer assistance and transition help to existing small businesses. (What supermarket is planned? Don-Qui?)

firefax · 14h ago
Prior to this didn't they lose a lot of the little parts stores/stall in... I think it was Akihabara IIRC? I am struggling to re-find the name of the area, it was like a giant open air radio shack and it's my understanding has been shrinking and/or disappeared.
rasz · 13h ago
Are you thinking about Tokyo Lens coverage?

Saying Goodbye to Tokyo's TINIEST Shop | Akihabara Tokyo Lens · Aug 14, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA1UNJirOTI

I Rebuilt JAPAN'S TINIEST SHOP!! Tokyo Lens · Aug 20, 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsimPVu1aLU

firefax · 4m ago
No, it was a long line of stalls... the origin of the term "electric town" not any singular place.