Andrew Gallimore

But it doesn't matter because they own it and they're not being raped by, you know, taxes and stuff and all this kind of red tape.

They don't have to deal with it.

So they just have this lovely little cafe, entirely unique.

They might fill it with things they're interested in.

So it's a completely unique thing that you can go in and she'll serve you tea and maybe the cakes that she made this morning.

And there are thousands of these throughout Tokyo, not just little old ladies, but young people who own, who will rent very cheaply.

They have these, have you seen in Tokyo, when you see the buildings, you often see these neon signs.

signs coming down the sides of the building.

These are called Zacchio, which is basically miscellaneous use buildings.

And what they are is just very tall buildings and each floor you will have some kind of business.

It could be anything.

It's often bars or, you know,

pool rooms or anything you want, little restaurant, anything like this.

And of course, they don't have the frontage on the ground floor.

And so they instead, they will put their sign, neon sign, telling you what they are down the side of the building.

And that's what gives Tokyo that unique look is because it's all of these Akio buildings.

And sometimes if you go, a friend took me to this place

Well, it was like a building.

It was in Kabukicho, which is right in the center of Tokyo.

And it was on a side street.