With 2023 rapidly rattling towards its end, it is time once again to share my favourite photos and posts from the last 12 months.
In many ways it has been a year of transition. The opening of Japan’s borders at the end of 2022 immediately kickstarted the country’s tourism industry, and my Tokyo Photowalk tours are thankfully not only back, but busier than ever. So much so in fact that I’m hoping to offer a Tokyo and Osaka package next year. A way to combine the photographic similarities and differences of these two fascinating cities.
Tokyo Conversations, the photobook my friend Giovanni and I published got its official release at the beginning of this year as well. Something that still feels unreal at times. A book always seemed to be what other people did, but then somehow we went and produced our own. It’s available here should you be interested.
Personally it was a transitional time too. After the death of my wife Akiko in the summer of 2021, life in many ways seemed to stand still. Or more accurately, just sort of simply passed by. Earlier this year, however, I made a concerted effort to fully step back into the world in every way I could. Something that hasn’t always been easy, but it was definitely necessary, and needless to say I’m very glad I did. What’s round the corner, or what will happen in the next year or two, is obviously a complete unknown, but I’m now ready to embrace the future and move forward. I’ve been forced to realise that life goes on regardless of the past, so no matter how hard it can be sometimes, we have to try and make the most of this one chance we have.
That sentiment is something I’ve also tried to remember when photographing the rapidly changing face of old Tokyo. So many buildings and people I’ve previously taken pictures of have disappeared. That always hurts. A sense of loss that it’s hard not to feel affected by. But whether we like it or not, such changes are simply the cycle of life, so as such, and for want of a better description, I’m trying to be more zen about it and be happy I saw and experienced what I did, rather than focusing on what has been lost.
That approach, and in many ways simple acceptance, finally brings me to this year’s photos. Photographically I’ve also gone through a transition of sorts by focusing much more on sets of photos than single images. My goal, if possible, is to try and tell stories of the past and present. Some clear. Others more vague and even unknown. But stories nonetheless. Due to the move to small series then, I’ve included a photo or two from each set and added a link to the full post below them. Also, just like every year, my choices are a mixture of feelings and memories as well as the actual photographs themselves. They aren’t in any particular order either. Just how they seemed to work best.
And with that, I’ll have a break over the holiday period, and the usual Tuesday and Friday posts will resume once again on January 5th. So until then, enjoy whatever you do, and the people you spend time with over the festive and new year period.
An old Japanese bar that’s little more than a shed
Scenes from a faded Japanese hot spring resort
Tokyo tobacconists old and new
A 94-year-old and his little Tokyo sweet shop
Game consoles, music and lots of memories in an abandoned Japanese home
Heartwarming hugs on the streets of Tokyo
An old Japanese coffee shop like no other
Tokyo before and after (part 2 of 2)
The sad demolition of two iconic Tokyo drinking alleyways and their environs
Kokudo, a dark and atmospheric Japanese train station like no other
The last remnants of an old Tokyo shopping street
Some of the faces and urban scenery of Osaka
Japanese shops of the past still surviving in the present
A dark and abandoned old Tokyo house
The overgrown beauty of a long abandoned Japanese shopping arcade
YesterdaysHero says
A beautiful set of photographs and words to complement them. Thank you Lee for always sharing and I wish you the best the world has to offer as you continue your move forward.
Lee says
Thanks ever so much. That’s really good to hear and very kind of you.
You are also very welcome. Photography is both my work and passion, so sharing some of the results is always nice to do.
Denise says
So many beautiful moments! 🙂
Happy holidays. I always look forward to your posts. 🙂
Lee says
Thank you very much. And you too. All the very best!
Richard says
Thanks for these. I especially like the .Sato tobacco shop. Never seen one like that before! It is heartwarming to see some of the shops, bars, etc still open.
I am so pleased that you have moved back into life. The death of your wife had to be extremely painful. I admire your courageous determination.
I have enjoyed having your book. And friends and family appreciate it when I show them.
Very best wishes for the Holiday season. And for a healthy and happy 2024. Looking forward to more great photos in the new year.
Lee says
As always, you are very welcome. And thanks so much. Really good to hear you enjoy my work here and in a more physical form.
Thank you for the kind and supportive words too. They really do mean a lot.
And you too. All the very best for 2024. I hope it’s a great year for you.
Richard says
Thank you
Matthias says
Very best wishes to you. Tokyo Times inspired me to get a real camera again after 15 years of only photographing with the phone. I always enjoy how you manage to put people in the centre of your pictures – and yet show so much of what is around them. I think your post of December 5, ‘Japanese shops…’ is like that. Brilliant!
Lee says
Thank you. That’s really good to hear. Inspiring you to pick up a camera again is a wonderful by product of my photos. I couldn’t ask for more.
And best wishes to you too. Have a good one!
Sean says
What an awesome collection and year!
I look forward to what you show in 2024. Have a great break!
Lee says
Thank you very much. That’s really kind.
And you too. All the very best!
Andrew Graham says
Looking through your best images of this year makes me want to return to Japan and the colours from your Leica camera are incredible and you capture the true side of Tokyo and its people. It is not all neon and glamour like a lot of people think Tokyo is.
I’d like to thank you for our day together in November on the Old Town workshop it very much was a highlight of my time in Tokyo. I am in the slow process of trying to decide which of my images to put into a book and it is hard to choose.
I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a happy successful 2024.
Lee says
Thanks ever so much. That’s really kind of you and lovely to hear you enjoyed our time together so much.
And yeah, there’s definitely a lot more to Tokyo than neon and glamour. So much more.
Good with the image choices and all the very best to you too!
Han says
I’m glad you are moving forward each step being more positive. All these old shops and homes being replaced by the new reminds me of the ‘Ship of Theseus Paradox’. Maybe 100-200 years from now a photographer will document an even different Japan and what you saw as a new establishment now will be replaced by something else. I think I follow you and Lukasz Palka the most online, both of you having very distinct styles but I see two very different sides of Japan, that you would think you are on two different countries. Happy Holidays and Happy New Years!
Lee says
Thanks ever so, that’s really kind.
I’d never heard of the Ship of Theseus Paradox theory before. That’s interesting and plenty of food for thought.
Thank you. I know Lukasz and also really like his work. We have some similar interests, but yes, we do shoot in different ways, often showing alternate sides of the country.
Cheers. You too. Happy New Year and all the very best!
Ryan Shepard says
Grateful to have discovered your photography this year! Wishing you a peaceful + healthy 2024.
Lee says
Thanks a lot, that’s really good to hear. And cheers. You too. All the very best for 2024!
Solveig says
Awesome photos as usual (I think my favourites are the lime-green alleyways; there’s something there that reminds me of a villain scene in a movie!). Thanks for sharing your work.
Hoping you have a peaceful 2024.
Lee says
Thanks ever so much and you are very welcome. Yeah, those alleyways have an atmosphere all their own.
Cheers. You too., All the very best for 2024.