Walled yards to the street in Okinawa

TheNoNamedOne · 09-13-2007, 06:10 PM

One of the things I have never liked about city living in Okinawa (or Mainland, Japan) is that yards are walled all the way up to the street. The walls are a little more aesthetically pleasing if they are ryukyu stone or have some nice vines. But when they are concrete cinder blocks, which most are, it brings that drab grey look all around you as you negotiate the streets -- almost like a rat in a maze.

Often for the homeowner, there may only be a meter or less between their house wall and the yard wall, and I imagine them having a hard time squezzing through spots like that as they walk around their house for what ever reason may require them to do so.

I am wondering if no walls at all would be prettier.

socalheart · 09-13-2007, 10:41 PM

My mother's home has a brick wall up to the street. Back in the day, the space between the wall and the house was where one hung the laundry out to dry. Now, it's just a walkway to the west wing of the house. eh.

P_chan · 09-13-2007, 11:42 PM

I love the walled yards of japanese homes! Makes me feel like I'm living in a castle. I want one!

Oxmix · 09-14-2007, 12:24 AM

Regards

Ox

TheNoNamedOne · 09-14-2007, 12:27 AM

Yes, Oxmix! Thanx.

Rather ugly, isn't it?

dk · 09-14-2007, 12:42 AM

Doesn't look so bad in that pictures. At least those houses aren't flat roofs.

TheNoNamedOne · 09-14-2007, 12:50 AM

I think that is a really old pic. Look at that old car on the street. Geez. What year were those around. Bet all those houses are flat roofed now -- with the same walls standing -- just older looking.

Even the street looks more like compacted gravel than pavement. Old looking. Maybe Vietnam era???

09-13-2007, 06:10 PM	#1
TheNoNamedOne Ban Cannon GO!!! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,466 Thanks: 0 Thanked 464 Times in 297 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 76 Times in 74 Posts Credits: -389	Walled yards to the street in Okinawa One of the things I have never liked about city living in Okinawa (or Mainland, Japan) is that yards are walled all the way up to the street. The walls are a little more aesthetically pleasing if they are ryukyu stone or have some nice vines. But when they are concrete cinder blocks, which most are, it brings that drab grey look all around you as you negotiate the streets -- almost like a rat in a maze. Often for the homeowner, there may only be a meter or less between their house wall and the yard wall, and I imagine them having a hard time squezzing through spots like that as they walk around their house for what ever reason may require them to do so. I am wondering if no walls at all would be prettier. Last edited by TheNoNamedOne; 09-13-2007 at 08:07 PM.

09-13-2007, 11:42 PM	#3
P_chan アホ Join Date: May 2007 Location: The land of incest and wannabe Amish people! Posts: 15,687 My Mood: Thanks: 8,607 Thanked 6,217 Times in 3,927 Posts Groans: 1,020 Groaned at 882 Times in 772 Posts Credits: 1,663,815,256	I love the walled yards of japanese homes! Makes me feel like I'm living in a castle. I want one! __________________

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09-13-2007, 10:41 PM	#2
socalheart all about the cheese Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Uruma-shi, Okinawa Posts: 5,402 My Mood: Thanks: 3,518 Thanked 1,890 Times in 1,201 Posts Groans: 46 Groaned at 141 Times in 124 Posts Credits: 1,301,091,523	My mother's home has a brick wall up to the street. Back in the day, the space between the wall and the house was where one hung the laundry out to dry. Now, it's just a walkway to the west wing of the house. eh.

09-14-2007, 12:24 AM	#4
Oxmix Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,615 My Mood: Thanks: 1,228 Thanked 1,848 Times in 940 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 51 Times in 49 Posts Credits: 10,233,379	Regards Ox

09-14-2007, 12:27 AM	#5
TheNoNamedOne Ban Cannon GO!!! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,466 Thanks: 0 Thanked 464 Times in 297 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 76 Times in 74 Posts Credits: -389	Yes, Oxmix! Thanx. Rather ugly, isn't it?

09-14-2007, 12:50 AM	#7
TheNoNamedOne Ban Cannon GO!!! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,466 Thanks: 0 Thanked 464 Times in 297 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 76 Times in 74 Posts Credits: -389	I think that is a really old pic. Look at that old car on the street. Geez. What year were those around. Bet all those houses are flat roofed now -- with the same walls standing -- just older looking. Even the street looks more like compacted gravel than pavement. Old looking. Maybe Vietnam era???

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