It’s that time again! Over the next few months I will be publishing the third installment of The Tokyo Project, a deep look at the city’s extensive transit oriented development and culture of urban commons. Volume 1 used transit as a framework to highlight interesting development. Volume 2 focused more on the business considerations of shōtengai (shopping streets) and their dual role as commercial districts and civic spaces. In this batch, my intent is to take a holistic approach, showing the interplay between transit networks, neighborhood design, commercial activity, and the life that flows through all of them. The topics haven’t really changed, but now that I am able to do more background research in Japanese, I hope to bring to bear more depth and local perspective as I talk about them.
In the past, my urban walks have almost always been solitary affairs, but by both chance and design I ended up together with strolling companions on quite a few occasions for this third batch. You’ll see a few friends, family and fellow explorers, and I’ll talk about how they influence the way I see things on the street.
As before, to follow the project you can either subscribe to the blog directly via RSS or email (right side menu), bookmark this page and check back as the list below becomes a linked table of contents, or connect via Twitter for updates at @mjvito (日本語: @michaelvito_jp).
The Tokyo Project, Volume 3
- Akabane Suzuran-dori Shotengai
- Jujo Ginza Shotengai
- Jujo Fujimi Ginza Shotengai
- Musashikoyama Palm Shotengai, Session 3
- Togoshi Ginza Shotengai, Session 3
- Ni-chome Tsukemen GACHI in Shinjuku
- Arakicho
- Shitamachi Walk
- Tateishi
- Muteppo in Nakano, Session 2
- Kitasenju
- Matador in Kitasenju
- Privately Owned Public Space in Central Tokyo
- Shin-Koiwa Lumiere Shotengai
- Motenashi Kuroki in Kanda-Izumicho
- mAAch ecute (Old Manseibashi Station)
- Shimokitazawa, Session 3
- Omori Ginza Shotengai
- Kamata Nishiguchi Shotengai
- Keikyu Kamata Shotengai Asuto
- Jujo and Higashi-Jujo Shotengai Walk
- Sansanto in Higashi-Jujo
Additional volumes: Volume 1, Volume 2
Preview
Here is a set of highlights to kick things off. These images will all appear again as I complete pieces for each neighborhood or place. Welcome back to The Tokyo Project.
8 comments
Shokubutsujin says:
Sep 17, 2015
I’m definitely looking forward to part 3!
Michael says:
Sep 17, 2015
Glad to hear it!
Mike says:
Sep 25, 2015
Preview already looks fantastic. Love your perspective on transit being the center of a vibrant and healthy urban commons. Need much more of that in the US.
Michael says:
Sep 25, 2015
Thanks Mike. Hope to eventually collect enough examples to make a compelling argument for adopting this approach in the US and elsewhere.
Ian says:
Jun 6, 2018
Will you still be continuing this series? Really enjoyed your past entries. Very recently, I lived close to Shimokitazawa and frequented it a few times a week so I have some fond memories of it. Interestingly, on my first ever visit to Japan I stayed in Kamata so I’d be interested in hearing your take on the area too!
Michael says:
Jun 6, 2018
Yes! I’m really glad you asked. I’ve been a caregiver for our two young children the past few years, which was a necessary but very time and energy consuming phase of life. The second one just started daycare about a month ago, so I’m getting back into the rhythm of photos and writing again. Volume 3 will be finished and I have raw material for a Volume 4 ready as well. I can’t say for sure what kind of time frame we’re looking at, but will try my best.
Warong says:
Aug 27, 2018
I’m looking forward to read the rest of this series. Your blog is very informative and I like it when you provide history and misc detail about places in your entries.
Michael says:
Aug 27, 2018
Thanks! I do plan to continue once I clear some space. The thing I need most to put these together, quiet time alone, is not easy to come by at the moment. (^^;)