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Where are the poor people in Tokyo?!

Hapieldy

後輩
18 Oct 2008
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In many countries, the divide between the rich and the poor is disgustingly obvious. Ive noticed this in big cities like London, New York and Shanghai. You have clean, safe (rich) parts of the city and very deprived, neglected, crime ridden (poor) parts of the city. Of course, there is middle ground too, but the parts that are different are VERY different.
My question is: Where are the poor parts of Tokyo?! Do they even exist?
Tokyo is the first big city Ive noticed that doesn't seem to have an obvious divide. Some parts may be dirtier than others, but none seem to contrast as much as places like Compton and Beverly Hills, very poor and very rich parts of California (sorry, first example that came to mind). But I find it really hard to believe that there aren't any seedy, deprived parts in Tokyo simply because... it goes against geographical and sociological logic! Every large city thrives on the 'balance' of the rich and the poor. Yet I read a statistic that said 80% of people in Tokyo consider themselves middle class. How is that even possible?
I should explain that I havent been in Tokyo for very long, which may explain why I havent been to any 'poor' places yet. But if they're out there, I want to know where! And if not, I want to know why and how its possible.
Someone, please enlighten me.
 
Everyone knows why !

You need "poor/homeless" people to have poor locations. For years since the colonel's KFC opened in Tokyo, you don't see poor or homeless people anymore. Next time you eat at KFC, check out the weird shape of their wings ,drumsticks, and thighs; something isn't right there??

Uncle Frank

😊:p😲:bikkuri::devilish:
 
They don't really seem to gather in one place, but I've seen 'em around, usually under bridges. Kind of like Seattle, except there aren't nearly as many in Tokyo, and they don't play drums made out of empty buckets and wine bottles.

You also might want to try the subways after they close. I don't know how many of the people sleeping outside are actually homeless, but I bet some of them are.
 
If you insist, check out Sanya(ナスR窶價)ツ it's an area in Taitou-kuツ around Namidabashi crossing(ナクツ」窶ケ'ナ津ーツ債キ窶彑). JR line nippori(窶愿コ窶「テゥ窶板「). You need to take a bus from there. Or Kotobuki-tyo(ナステオ窶卍ャ) in Yokohama that's JR Negishi line(ツ債ェナ?テ敖静シ) Kannai station(ナ?テ問?愿?窶ーw).ツ
Both are not very dangerous, and not really that dirty. You might even like it. but do not take people's photos. You could be in trouble.
 
May I suggest you to go and walk in Tokyo Shitamachi (a map and a few walk suggestions in this story ). While most of the places are safe, some people, live in conditions that are far from comfortable.
 
ahh, Japan,, the way capitalism should be.. the reason you have a hard time finding these people is because they are few and far between. the income gap here is so much more reasonable, no bs elitist crap that you see in america.. man. .. i love my home country but i really wish it would follow japan's example sometimes.. socialism is good... it works beautifully with capitalism.....only rich racist republicans brainwash you to think otherwise.. i guess as long as greed exists though, the ills of crime and poverty will plague nations like the US... i cant believe people dont see this connection.. i mean yes japan is pretty homogeneous .. but that only says so much... if every man or woman was truly given what they deserve for working hard in America, i swear things would be different.
 
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Where are the poor people in Tokyo?!

Well, when I lived in Nagoya they used to congregate in and around the train/subway stations. Especially this time of the year when the stairwells ofter a limited shelter of sorts from the cold. There used to be a big group (20+) that would be at the same spot at the same time every day for over a year that I passed by in one particular area. Reeked of urine lol but the police never asked them to move along (at least I never witnessed it). In the summer time you can find large groups holed up in makeshift blue tarp "villages" sometimes erected around the bases under freeways, overpasses, etc.
 
...and, if we jump to yet another city, in Osaka I saw them in some parks and next to river banks. Blue plastic & cardboard hutches side by side... and some people making a cardboard wall around them in the train stations when the trains stop running.

But. I never ever felt afraid passing them or being near to them. Sometimes I encountered them, and they were pretty much just ignoring you, some of them even being friendly. Never saw anyone being drunk or violent.
 
I Osaka I saw many in the places that you say, and they don't approach to you in any sense. Only smile to you.
In other countries homeless people approach to me to beg for some money.

I saw a homeless man in Shinjuku. It was a shocking contrast among such a rich area. But only one, no more arround.
 
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