Lee

The city itself certainly makes for an appealing backdrop, but for me at least, it’s the people that make Tokyo really interesting. People, for example, like the woman below. A lady whose wonderfully featured face not only stands out in a crowd, but also gives the distinct impression that she’s an individual who is most definitely not to be messed with.

With 2015 rapidly drawing to a close, it’s once again time to choose my favourite photographs of the year. Sadly, due to my wife being diagnosed with breast cancer in June — a situation that I wrote about here — the last 6 months or so have been difficult to say the least. And, as her treatment continues, the next 6 won’t be any easier either. At the same time, however, I am happy to say that the chemotherapy is going as well as can be reasonably expected, so there are still things to be thankful for.

Something else for me to be thankful for is photography, as now more than ever, the process of taking pictures provides a much needed means of switching off from some stuff, and at the same time switching on to a whole lot more. A compulsion that’s a wonderful companion, escape and creative outlet — not to mention a source of genuine pleasure and exploration.

And so with all this in mind, the images below are my personal favourites from the last 12 months. Some simply because of the end result, others due to the experience and memories surrounding them. They aren’t in chronological order, just divided between colour and monochrome, and sequence-wise simply that seemed to work best. Oh, and clicking on any of the photos will take you to the original post.

A set that neatly wraps up Tokyo Times for 2015. So until the beginning of January, when new photos will kick off the equally new year, all the very best for 2016!

With the festive season and a few days off almost upon us, it’s the perfect time to wish you and your loved ones a very happy holidays. And wherever you are, and whatever you do, I hope there are moments as surprising and wonderfully silly as a fully decorated tree mounted on a motorbike ridden by a Japanese Santa Claus.

Merry Christmas!

Foxes aren’t unusual in big cities, but human-sized ones with a fondness for fancy coffee are a little more rare.