Taken for a ride

paulinusa:

From the link given above by the_sheriff: http://www.asakusa-e.com/sansaku/koto.htm

The store's name is called "Shimizu Honten" and is an art store established in 1873 (Meiji 6) featuring swords, armor, ceramics, pictures and various other art collectibles. According to the store description, It's popular with visitors from overseas and boast a number of state guests from foreign governments as its customers. They have handled many orders for heads of state like the former president of Indonesia, Sukarno via the Japanese Prime Minister's office.

Incidentally, the tarento Debi Fujin is the former wife of former president Sukarno.

It looks like an ancient style stone road lantern (street lamp) standing on the right front.

The shop's name is on the window! I can't read kanji very well.

the_sheriff : Just curious, how exactly did you find the photo and shop info?

the_sheriff : Thank you. This shop looks interesting.

I rode a rickshaw at Mojiko, I was elementary school student. I felt refreshed. I want to go Asakusa.

Nice picture!

Anyone know where this shop is located in Asakusa?

According to a Google hit, Asakusa 2-30-11. 9:30 to 18:00, closed Wednesdays.

http://www.asakusa-e.com/sansaku/koto.htm

Standstill, bargaining over fare?

Taken for a ride: rickshaw pullers are controlled by the mafia...some as gondola drivers in Italy

I heard a similar story. These rickshaws have proliferated in many busy alleys and don't care their clogging the flow of people and cars. Because bosses of this business have strong connections to and manipulate local police.

"same as"

Taken for a ride: rickshaw pullers are controlled by the mafia...some as gondola drivers in Italy.

^_^ Always nice to see photos of places I've actually been to on JT's PotD. The Naka-Mise is pretty much a tourist trap of doodads and trinkets, but the marketplaces and shopping areas west/southwest of the Asakusa Temple grounds have several cafes, restaurants, and a huge variety of small shops. Highlights: Best takoyaki I have ever had and a very lovely hand-painted tenugui.

ps. Not to be confused with the Asakusa shopping center that's at/near the station of the same name. That's just your average Taito mall.

Anyone know where this shop is located in Asakusa?

Didn't read the story, just commenting on the title:

Taken for a ride? I guess that's greed in Japan.

I want to go to Asakusa. I like "Kaminarimon", because my favorite comic is "Kotira Katushikaku Kouennmae Hasyutuzyo".

Gotta love it. Some things don't change. Notice the sand bags and blue tarp on the roof tiles after the big quake - a scene common all over northeastern Japan.

Must be so hot doing that in summer. All those pullers look very healthy. I wished all the shops in Japan would look like the one in the background.