Photographs from a small group of islands
It’s always nice to have a person in the frame no matter how interesting the surroundings might be. Arguably better still though is to include someone in their natural environment — a location where they live, work or spend a good amount of their time.
These then are some such moments, along with a few that may not quite match the description but still work nicely anyway.
On overcast days in particular, Tokyo’s seemingly never ending urban sprawl can often appear as grey as it is gargantuan. Head out to the city’s far west, however, and things are different — both in looks and atmosphere. So different in fact that it can be hard to fully grasp that such a green and sparsely populated area is still part of the capital.
These then are photos from a recent walk there. A long walk for sure, but one that started and ended with the ease and convenience of Tokyo’s public transportation network.
A friend and I first visited this wonderful old bar in 2019. Even then it was clear the area was changing. There were numerous gaps where old businesses once stood, and other plots already boasted brand new apartment buildings.
We went back again towards the end of 2023, and the little establishment was one of the last original structures remaining. Also, with its neighbours no more, the nearby train station was clearly visible. A thoroughly apt view, as its close proximity is what presumably made the land so sought after.
The end then was sadly imminent. Merely a matter of time before the demolition notice was delivered, calling last orders on 52 years of its lovely proprietors serving up drinks, food and good humour.
Except for once it wasn’t.
The bar was indeed pulled down not long after, but the owners carefully saved the counter, along with most of what made the interior so distinctive. All of which they moved into a slightly newer building not that far away, making for a reassuring and very rare case of renewal. A new spot that once we sat down felt just like the old one. Like a home from home.
For something else new, I’ve started a monthly newsletter. A way to talk a little more about certain images, Japan and photography in general, plus other stuff that tends not to work here or on social media. This first offering includes details about a couple of recent shots and some just about saved film photos. Oh, and print sales too.
If that sounds of interest, you can access it on the web here, and this is the subscribe form for future updates:
This truly incredible looking abandoned pachinko parlour is a place I’ve wanted to photograph since late last year, but overcast conditions were a key requirement, along with a little bit of greenery for extra colour. There was also the added necessity of waking up ready and willing to tackle a long train journey and an even longer walk. All of which finally came to fruition last week.
The trek, it turned out, was even further than anticipated, but the pachinko parlour did not disappoint. Quite the opposite in fact. It really was a sight to behold. The 28km loop to and from the train station, on the other hand, didn’t provide a whole lot of other photographic opportunities, but I did take a few pictures — most of which I’ve included here, as they were part of the day, and in many ways work well, providing something of a wider context in regards the surrounding area.
Wandering Tokyo with a camera always feels worthwhile, as do the brief sights and encounters of local daily life, so these are some such moments taken during a couple of my recent Tokyo photowalk tours.
