CharactersGoodsConbini MondayFood & DrinkPhotosLiving in JapanOutdoors & SportCultureShibuyaTrains & TransportTravelShoppingMarketingTechBuildingsPhoto storiesArchivesAbout

Shibuya's Nonbei Yokocho

By Shibuya246 · · 1 min read · 11 photos · 3 comments

img_0576Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length11mmAperturef/3.2Shutter1/25sISO100Taken17 Jan 2009, 17:40Although Shibuya is one of the major shopping/entertainment districts in Tokyo and the area around the station is fairly well built up, there are always some interesting places you can find that seemed to have got lost in a time warp.

img_0526Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/30sISO200Taken16 Jan 2009, 14:27

Only a minutes walk from the station exit and directly next to the train tracks is Shibuya's Nonbei Yokocho (のんべい横丁). Whilst some of the bars have had some renovations recently, others still look like they haven't been upgraded since they were built around 50 years ago. The area is very short on space and the bars are crowded in on top of each other. You have to wonder whether the fire department have practiced special drills for this area since the buildings are so close.

alley within an alleyPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/13sISO200Taken16 Jan 2009, 14:30
alley within an alley
One modern thing which did stand out was the video surveillance camerasPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/60sISO100Taken16 Jan 2009, 14:28
One modern thing which did stand out was the video surveillance cameras

The toilet didn't look quite so modern but it too has a camera attached with warning stickers about police surveillance.
img_0518Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/60sISO80Taken16 Jan 2009, 14:25

It is probably wrong to describe the stores as bars. Most of them serve food and drink. The food may be something like oden or snack food that goes easily with the drink. The style is very similar to the old yatai style.

Some of the bars are only big enough for 4 or 5 people to fit inPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/8sISO400Taken16 Jan 2009, 14:26
Some of the bars are only big enough for 4 or 5 people to fit in
Patron enjoying a meal and a drinkPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length11mmAperturef/3.2Shutter1/8sISO400Taken17 Jan 2009, 17:39
Patron enjoying a meal and a drink
More reminiscent of Kyoto than ShibuyaPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/60sISO125Taken16 Jan 2009, 14:25
More reminiscent of Kyoto than Shibuya
The morning clean-upPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/60sISO125Taken16 Jan 2009, 14:24
The morning clean-up
At night the atmosphere takes on a different feelPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/1sISO80Taken17 Jan 2009, 17:34
At night the atmosphere takes on a different feel
Nonbei Yokocho Shibuya
Nonbei Yokocho Shibuya

If you are in Shibuya and want to try something different, why not drop in to Shibuya's Nonbei Yokocho and return to the past for a few hours over a beer and a meal.

Editor's Note: Don't mistake the toilet for a tardis like time machine!

Related posts

3 comments

Comments are closed. These are from readers when the post was first published.

  1. Plutarch

    I love this post - the atmosphere of the photos is all-encompassing and I am transported to a time gone-by - this is the real Japan that foreigners think of! Great insight

  2. Shibuya246

    Thanks Plutarch. Nice to have you drop in.

  3. Aya Kawakami

    My favourite place in Shibuya! のんべい横丁にある、NONというお店にたまにピンで行きます。