Food sign collection #1

Food sign collection | #1

Welcome to our new website section: Food sign collection!

I used to live in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. It’s a chaotic place full of contrasts, sometimes brutally cold and violent, sometimes charming and hopeful with its demode look. That clash made me become a big fan of urban life visuals.

Yes, the streets in Japan are completely different. But, of course, art and creativity also runs wild here in the most unexpected places! Well, don’t be fooled by those who say that all cities in Japan looks and feel the same!

Paying attention to food signs around the places you walk can be a fun exploration game. As a result, sometimes that might lead you to interesting places to eat, inspire you with new ideas and intriguing thoughts, or… why not, a chance to smile – after all, unique designs and funny jokes are definitely entertaining. These things add some nice flavor to everyday life.

In Japan, you can find interesting food signs simply anywhere. It could be a big bright advertisement board, or a shy canvas resting comfortably in the middle of green vines of quiet alleys. You might know that we write and upload pictures of our food experiences on Dekitateyo’s Tumblr page everyday – in fact, besides taking pictures of what we eat, what we cook and where we go, we also started gathering food sign material for the blog. From now on we will share these, in monthly small batches.

What will you find here?

In this new section, you will see many menu chalk signs, restaurant advertisement boards, photos and illustrations that make passers-by stop and admire the displayed food… and their art and style as well! Well-designed posters? Ninja-skilled art crafts? Super cute ultra kawaii illustrations? Bizarre themes on enigmatic canvas? Yes, welcome to the fascinating world of food signs!

Please enjoy and have fun!

~ochazuke

Today’s findings

1. It is hard to ignore that big avocado resting on a street corner. Then it just gets weirder when you see it across several spots in Tokyo; must be even funnier by the time it gets dark and the staff lights up these signs… We ended up going to that restaurant later on since we’re big avocado lovers – it is definitely worth the visit!
2. While walking in the streets of Kyoto, I saw that door with two cats chatting happily while drinking tea. I wonder if there’s a kanban neko (shop cat) working there? By the way, that sign reminds me of a friend, who I usually meet once a week to have some coffee… Because we both are obsessive cat lovers. Seems like we would definitely try that shop if by any chance we stop by Kyoto together!
3. Daikanyama has lots of small cozy cafés and restaurants. “Yama no Hitsuji” means literally “mountain sheep” – . I quite liked the embossed effect on the fence – seeing it from far away looks like the text is floating in the air.
4. Well, I don’t know what should I talk about this? So, it’s bright, colorful and… I don’t know, it’s that kind of picture I’d want to share with many people yet I cannot give a proper explanation about it, lol. Makes me wonder, what kind of restaurant(?) is that?

Madosh! cafe | Address: 5-28-7 Jingumae Shibuya Tokyo. 東京都 渋谷区 神宮前 5-28-7.

Kitten Company | Address: Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward.〒600-8170 五条烏丸西入る上諏訪町２９４−１

Yamano Hitsuzi | Address:  1 Chome-26-2 Ebisunishi, Shibuya, Tokyo.  〒150-0021 東京都渋谷区恵比寿西1-26-2

AGA ～Aoyama G Avanti～ |  Address: 2 Chome−9−10 Tōkyō-to, Shibuya-ku, Shibuya, Tokyo. 〒150-0002 キングビルサトウ B1F