Standing in the center of an overpass in Osaka's Nippombashi, aka 'Den Den Town' (lit. Electric Town), one can feel the nexus of modernity, consumerism and a bit of sadness. Everyone is rushing to and forth, in a hurry to shop, eat or work.
On the surface, it is home to curry shops, electronics stores and maid cafes. Underneath, the term Mizu Shobai comes up frequently.
Middle aged men surreptitiously sneak in and out of AV shops, or dine by themselves at gyudon restaurants.
I'm told many aspiring comedians live here for it's close proximity to the Yoshimoto company, while being very affordable. Since even TV gigs only pay 500 yen per performance for no-namers, Nippombashi also provides a source for other part time work until they make it big.
Hoards of fans form painfully precise queues waiting for the video game stores to open so they can buy the new releases.
Young women in maid outfits hold the gates at every intersection, trying to snatch a fly in their webs with about as much motivation as they can muster.
What I feel this photo captures is all of these concepts, while not explicitly. Everything uniquely 'Nippombashi' occurs within this stretch. Although the street ends in a T-intersection, I get the feeling that it just goes on and on. Everyday is the same routine. Everyone is together and alone at the same time.
