houshops

it's an oddity in japan. on most streets in my neighbourhood there are garages or utility rooms that have been converted - with varying degrees of success - into shop units. some sell takoyaki, some sell kids (used) toys, some bags, some clothes, some rice. some are bonafide business', some are like the picture above. in many cases it's kinda like a car-boot-sale, but more permanent - I'm presuming that its evolved from bored housewives filling their time but I could be wrong.

it gives a little bit of life to the street scene though, and as houses in the UK and US are more and more protected, it sums up the relaxed and trusting nature of neighbourhoods in Japan. people live so close together thats their isn't much choice.

I am reminded of plucking a holly tree bare as a child when my neighbours and I made some pre-christmas business on the pavement outside their house selling 'natural cake decorations'.