Closed on Sundays. That’s what the sign should say when you get to Kanda. Still, regardless of the lack of people and lack of things open i still spent a few hours in the stiffling heat, wandering around Kanda taking a few photos as part of my mission to cover all 29 stops on the JR Yamanote Line.
I didn’t take my still shot camera, instead i opted to take my video camera and unfortunately didn’t find anything to film so i came back with still shots only.
The quality on here is pretty low to keep the page loadable but the full size versions came up a treat, i’m very happy with it as a camera too.
Kanda is pretty much on the opposite side from where i start on the JR Yamanote Line and it took a good 30 minutes to get there. Out to Kanda i arrived, as always, proof i was there, a picture of the station
Cars with multiple aerials was my first impression of Kanda.
The streets were so quiet, i was thinking it would be busier, right about now i was wishing i’d had lunch before arriving.
Seriously, right about now i thought i was in some trouble and the heat wasn’t helping any.
Not much os a fan of Soba noodles so onward i pushed. Atleast it was looking up, there were some palces to eat that were open.
Sundays in Kanda, a great day to get construction done.
The streets were eerily quiet.
As were the water ways.
Under the train line there were a heap of bars and restaurants, only open at night though.
Lots of homeless people around the streets of Kanda. Probably more visible due to the lack of other pedestrian traffic.
You don’t have to go too far to see another cool bike in Japan.
Of all the street signs in Japan i happened to see this one.
A park with some more homeless people residing in it.
Although as the sign says, no cooking, clothes washing or staying overnight.
A rare sight for me these days, a few birds.
Amazing how many pushi bikes i see branded by auto companies.
Even the petrol station was closed.
A disgarded scruffy magazine.
The smallest can of beer i have seen. Compared to the 500ml cans i slug down on the train on the way home from work this 135ml can is tiny.
Not too many people shopping for suits on Sundays in Kanda.
Not sure whether this guys bike came standard with this or not.
Just when i though kanda was free of any nefarious activity i rounded the corner.
Although the streets were quiet i could see that it gets lively at night.
In between all the action they managed keep some tradition.
Pachinko is just as big in Kanda as it is anywhere else in Japan.
Grab a drink and watch a little TV at the same time.
High rise car parks.
This bar looks like it’s worth a look one night.
As does this new hostess bar.
Sushi, this one wasn’t open but the one down the road was.
So in i pulled for a few beers and some lunch before heading back home to get out of the heat.
On the way back to the station i noticed this guy, stuck in a box all day, not for me thanks.
That was my trip to Kanda, it’s not really a place i’d suggest to visit unless you have a specific purpose. On the other hand, here’s a list of things to do while in Japan and if you haven’t voted yet, please stop by and do so, there’s only a week left before i announce the seven wonders of Japan.
Similar Posts:
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- Tokyo JR Yamanote Line
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great post, love the photos
as usual great pictures Niel. Thank you!
i LOVE your blog! i’m going to japan at the end of august and ended up asking some of my Friends from my japanese classes about ‘must-see-and-experience-places’. they sent me your link and here i am reading every single one of your posts. =]
i think you are doing a great job with the pictures and photo hunts; it really captures a snapshot of japan that i can’t really learn about in the text books…and i absolutely love your comments/captions to them =] great job, i am now your forever fan xD
Great blog. Thank you. What’s with the multiple aerials on the cars, though? Surely such a gadget-loving people as the Japanese have satellite radio and state-of-the-art (i.e., discreet) aerials.
Those 135-mL cans of beer sure are tiny, aren’t they. A guy I teach often brings 5 or 6 of them to lessons and gives me 3 or 4. I suspect he usually drinks a few before he arrives.
I don’t understand buying such small cans, it can’t be an economic decision.
That place looks like a freakin’ ghost town. Where T.F. was everyone??
I know Chris, it was quiet strange indeed and considering i was there from maybe 12 till 4pm i would have thought a few people would be out and about.
So you have made me watching Kanda… great post with nice pictures. Was the beer costly?!
I’m just realising how empty the streets are as well
Seems many homeless in Kanda…
actually, I just visited Kanda over the weekend and it is a hub for
a. musical instruments (mostly guitars or band related instruments)
b. ski/snowboarding gear
so you might want to give it another go…
I think it’s a fine line between what’s Kanda and what’s Ochanomizu …. which is next door and the area known for music instruments and ski shops. That general area does have plenty around there, just depends on which way you walk i guess, thanks for the info Gail.