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Old Japanese photos show the awesome skill of soba delivery workers in the Showa era

Oona McGee Aug 19, 2019
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Uber drivers have nothing on these delivery pros.

These days, if we’re hungry, all we have to do is whip out a smartphone, punch a few buttons online, and get a meal delivered to us in minutes. That wasn’t always the case, though, and here in Japan people remember a time when soba buckwheat noodles were delivered by bicycle on the streets, in a very different style to the way it’s delivered now.

Although it’s something we’ve looked at before, the topic of soba delivery drivers in the Showa era (1926-1989) is now in the spotlight once again, following a tweet that went viral recently online.

The tweet shows a number of photos of old-time soba delivery staff on their bicycles, each one displaying an eye-popping level of skill and dexterity as they balance tray upon tray upon tray of soba meal sets on their shoulders.

戦前の蕎麦屋の出前がヤバ過ぎる。
一体どうなってるんだ？ pic.twitter.com/UKhhogTALl

— 谷津珠葉（李厳命） (@Rigenmei) August 9, 2019

The tweet quickly went viral, with people expressing awe for the soba riders of yore. Some even shared other images showing more soba towers balancing on the shoulders of delivery cyclists.

pic.twitter.com/n6hnTcIwSl

— (☆o☆)Show【TAMU F.C. No.FW-14B】【ソラ🌸F.C. No.157】 (@oShow92565091) August 10, 2019

pic.twitter.com/cQC6UGEfgV

— (☆o☆)Show【TAMU F.C. No.FW-14B】【ソラ🌸F.C. No.157】 (@oShow92565091) August 10, 2019

The founder of popular soba restaurant chain Yudetaro also needs to be acknowledged for his impressive skills.

ゆで太郎創業者も仲間に入れて下さい！ pic.twitter.com/gp3uMz57UQ

— ゆで太郎いわき鹿島店 (@yudetaro_iwaki) August 11, 2019

As the Showa era progressed, cyclists gave way to motorbike riders, who still used the same method of carrying deliveries as before, albeit on a slightly smaller scale.

この状態でも片手で運転できるのを売りにしたノークラッチ原付バイクが、あのホンダスーパーカブなんですね。 pic.twitter.com/CpwKuLYgq2

— ヘボ通信長 (@Taipei_Saburo) August 10, 2019

Nowadays, soba deliveries look very different, with most restaurants choosing to use the revolutionary “demaeki” (delivery machine) in conjunction with scooters or bicycles.

さらにその後、画期的なあの「出前機」が発明され……(´;ω;`)つ pic.twitter.com/tWZHiPIftJ

— king-biscuit (@kingbiscuitSIU) August 10, 2019

The demaeki is a swinging system that attaches to bicycles and mopeds in order to keep food and liquids level, even when turning corners.

出前機がまだ無かった頃。戦前のそば屋の出前風景がスゴすぎるｗｗｗｗｗ https://t.co/n5AUxjIUrb pic.twitter.com/9K47T171A9

— virtualkj (@virtualkj1) August 11, 2019

While the demaeki revolutionised the soba delivery industry, the old-school nostalgia of Showa-era soba cyclists remains a treasured memory for many. The good news is that if you’re lucky, you might still get to witness the old-school delivery style on the streets of Japan today.

▼ This image was captured in Tokyo in 2010.

この蕎麦屋の出前、2010年6月の日付がついてる。都内のどこで撮ったかは忘れちゃった pic.twitter.com/8tKFlb32Lh

— （パ） (@im9d) August 14, 2019

Even if you don’t get to see the thrill of extreme soba delivery in real-life, it still lives on in video games!

妖怪ウォッチにも出てましたね pic.twitter.com/DgSQlJzfGR

— ももか@白き願いの海底庭園 (@vegamomo92) August 9, 2019

ありましたねデリソバ pic.twitter.com/IibvJV7xKw

— 早瀬川椎名 (@hase47) August 9, 2019

Soba deliveries are just one of many things that have changed in Japan over the years. However, as the country continues to propel itself towards the future with modern samurai fashion and geisha-inspired sportswear, it’s good to know that old-school traditions like these will never be forgotten.

Source: Hachima Kikou
Featured image: Twitter/@oShow92565091
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