Impressions of Kamata

Kamata is a neighbourhood in the Ota ward in Tokyo, roughly 30 minutes to the south of the city centre. For a place that I chose pretty much completely at random, I am really enjoying living here.

Here are some of the different faces of Kamata.

First, the image I was given of Sakura House, the place I am staying at. I just want to point out that the big blue sign does not say, 'Sakura House' and is in fact a restaurant of some kind that didn't appreciate me trying to barge in there, lost and jet lagged and carting all my luggage, on my first night in Japan. The entrance to my share house is around the side of the building and the flats are above the shops, as is pretty typical for this street.

The street stretches for about half a kilometre and is filled with shops, little home owned restaurants and dozens and dozens of bicycles. As you can see, there's just barely room for a single car to fit down the street, and they only come by rarely. Which is good, because I have enough trouble dodging the bicycles. 

As you get closer to Kamata railway station, the buildings start looking a lot more modern. 

Closer to Umeyashiki station, at the end of my street, the buildings don't quite have as much character. I did find one house that I liked, though; it seems that in Japan, buildings grow towards the sun.

All in all, I think I like my little market street the most, but I really do love how much the look and feel of the neighbourhood can change over a distance of just a few blocks. As far as I can tell, this is true of Tokyo in general, and makes it a pretty fascinating place to explore.