Antiques tell tales of values, past and present. It's a good guess that whatever survives for a century or so in the tight confines of a Japanese home is either a work of art, a tool of cunning design, or an item of great sentimental value.

Collectibles, on the other hand, may be mere decades old, but appeal to the modern whimsical eye. From wooden spinning wheels to 1950s Formica tables with boomerang patterns, the surrounds of Nishiogikubo Station on the Chuo Line offer up a wealth of fascinating finds.

When I leave the station's North Exit, heading toward Nishiogi-kita, I note that the area has spiffed up in recent years. JR East has performed what they dub a "Station Renaissance," which includes new convenience and retail stores and sidewalks paved in the colors of Spam. This doesn't jive with my memory of Nishiogi as an enclave of '60s-style rebels and other down-to-earth hippie types. I start to worry that the funky vibe has died in Nishiogi.