Monzennaka Charms

A porcelain shop in Monzen-nakacho, an area famous for its shopping arcade and Tomioka Hachimangu, a large shrine. Once you go beyond that space, though, you have to dig a little deeper to find its charms.

To wit: the following buildings were found on the same short street. First, a beautifully decorated porcelain shop.

The twisty brick-like stacks also seem to be made of porcelain.

A mere three buildings down, the view turns into cramped-together shacks.

Three mean-looking black cats were sleeping in the box next to the scooter. 

Unrequited Love in Two Shots

(Near Monzen-nakacho.)

Cat sees man.

(In the background is Hachimanhashi, Japan's oldest steel bridge, which was built in 1929. It's actually registered as an important cultural property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.)

Cat makes beeline, but man is uninterested.