Many of the iconic neon signs in Tokyo have been replaced with LEDs within the past five years. Which ones still exist though?
Off the top of my head, some remaining neon:
- Tokyo Station Yaesu exit Hisamitsu Salonpas sign
- Akihabara Onoden sign
- Akihabara LAOX sign
- Okachimachi Sanzenri sign
- Shinjuku Yodobashi Camera sign
- Various Karaokekan stores
I know there's more. Which ones are still out there? Which ones that are gone do you remember?
by razorbeamz
12 comments
Same story in HK such a loss. Its a shame they werent recognised as heritage assets before it was too late.
The asahi sign in Asakusa is around.
The Pom Juice sign near Haneda Airport is one of my favorites:
https://youtu.be/iTHH-o0Y0wg
are you guys japanese or foreigners ?
I saw all the posts in these subs are in english.. But i have heard that not many Japanese people speak english.
( i m new to Japanese learning for career purpose so was just exploring this sub)
As sad as the loss of the neon signs is, it unfortunately is a sensible step. Neon is very inefficient in terms of energy consumption.
I found a couple of articles written by an photography artist Osamu Nakamura who published a booklet full of neon signages around Tokyo. And these links has some of it from the book
1. [https://sign-jp.org/neonneon/](https://sign-jp.org/neonneon/)
2. [https://www.nippon.com/ja/images/i00060/](https://www.nippon.com/ja/images/i00060/)
Here’s another one but just around Nakameguro – Daikanyama – Ebisu: [https://www.creativity-ape.com/entry/2022/03/18/230623](https://www.creativity-ape.com/entry/2022/03/18/230623)
I don’t think much about it but the first thing that comes up to my mind was the one in your list for Yodobashi. It’s interesting how everything is getting torn down and the business doing well yet keeping the original signage like that, for tech-oriented business no less.
The one in Shibuya that is up the hill near the church bar.
[The Strip Theater](https://www.instagram.com/p/CqLXZVzPOfq/?igsh=MWx1bGhrMmZubmF4ZQ==)
Dont know if its still around but the Marugen buildings in Ginza
Very local, but 大島中央銀座 signs are still kicking and giving out nice bzzzzzz.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1A2hyh6EiBDCanEr9
Isn’t the fruit one at Shibuya Crossing neon?
I was very sad when the beautiful neon pachinko parlor on the north side of Nippori station was removed. That was one of my favorites.
I think there might still be a similar one near Merima station, but it might be gone as well.
I live in Nishi Shinjuku and I always say to my GF, that when they take away the yodobashi neon sign… is the time to move