September it may be, but Tokyo is still hot and humid.
Really hot and humid.
Tokyo’s never-ending summer?
Quiet drinks in a rough and ready Tokyo bar
Despite the far from modern surroundings, this small Tokyo bar has only been around — at least in its present form — for just over a decade, making it practically new compared to lots of other, similarly tiny establishments. But, despite being a relatively new kid on the block, it still has that wonderfully relaxed, rough and ready approach that is so often the feature of such places. Meaning the prices are low. The food is whatever the owner has chosen to prepare that day. And the customers are talked to, or tactfully left to their own devices, depending on what it is they are after.
A real Japanese cat nap
It may be my appearance, or possibly something less obvious, but either way, cats tend to react rather negatively towards me — particularly so when I’m trying to take their picture. An increasingly comical state of affairs that is perhaps best captured in the demeanour of this far from shy Tokyo alley dweller.
Yet that said, in the same area lives the feline photographed below. An animal so utterly oblivious to its surroundings that my, usually unwelcome presence, made no difference whatsoever; not even the lazy lift of an eyelid. It simply, and deeply, slept on.
Tokyo’s incredibly contrasting skyline
The truly massive Tokyo Skytree — currently the second tallest structure in the world — and one of the many, far more humble buildings and homes, that surround it.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s famous red light district
Kabukicho, Tokyo’s famous red light district, has been going through some changes of late. Huge redevelopment has left the place in danger of losing part of its character (like this wonderfully retro strip joint), and a city government crackdown has attempted to clean up some of the nefarious activities the area is known for.
Not that you’d necessarily notice when walking around. It’s still dirty. Dotted with dingy alleys. Plus densely populated by hostesses and touts. However, a newly announced ban on street solicitation could well make a difference, as the sheer number of the latter out on the streets do, for better or worse, contribute to the district’s personality. Of course how strictly the new regulations will be enforced remains to be seen, but it’s at least possible that these school girl uniforms won’t be on show — at least in public — for very much longer.
