Lee

Feb 03 2026 8 Comments

Shinjuku scenes from 2012 to 2026

In January I took the last photo in this series — the kind of shot that’s something of a rarity for me, so despite being happy with the results, I wasn’t really sure what to do with it.

That said, with the view overlooking Shinjuku, it did make me think about all the time I’ve spent there over the years, along with the many photographs I’ve taken. A good few of which have become all time faves.

Thoughts then that resulted in this series. A ‘Shinjuku Best’ kind of collection. Or perhaps more accurately, the best at the present moment, as such tastes do tend to change over time. It was hard though whittling them down to a manageable number, so I decided to make this set the more cohesive sequence, and then put all of them together in my latest newsletter. It’s viewable here, and this is where you can subscribe if you’d like to.

Jan 27 2026 10 Comments

Now and then photos of Japan’s abandoned Western Village

Western Village first opened in the early 1970s. It was originally quite a modest affair known as Kinugawa Family Ranch, but its Wild West theme caught the public’s attention, and it gradually expanded, which also meant a new name. However, despite that early success, changing times resulted in similarly changing fortunes, and in 2006 it closed, leaving the buildings, and in particular the animatronic figures, to slowly succumb to time, nature, and more than a little vandalism.

I first visited in 2017, with half of these photos taken back then, but finding myself in the area just recently, it was impossible to resist another look. Perhaps unsurprisingly, more damage has been meted out to the increasingly sinister residents, with John Wayne in particular looking very worse for wear. Or at least that’s who I assume the cowboy is supposed to be. His dark and empty eye sockets proving especially unsettling.

Far more disappointing was to find the buildings all boarded up, meaning photos of their inhabitants had to be taken through the windows, although in some ways that made them more atmospheric. Plus the whole area is still watched over by the hugely incongruous Mount Rushmore recreation. A sight that one definitely does not expect to see by the side of an otherwise nondescript Japanese road.

Jan 20 2026 10 Comments

Abandoned scenes north of Tokyo

On a recent trip a few hours north of Tokyo, we saw a whole host of faded scenes — places where time, neglect and the climate had taken their toll. There were also plenty of abandoned buildings to be seen as well. Hotels in particular, of both the conventional and love variety, plus several homes.

These then are photographs of some of the interiors we saw. Sights that in so many of Japan’s small towns and settlements are increasingly the norm. A decline that will only become more visible as the population gets smaller, and those young enough continue to make their wholly understandable exodus to the country’s major hubs and cities. All of which make such locations a fascinating mix of the past, present and future.

Jan 13 2026 4 Comments

The end of an old Tokyo sushi shop

This sushi restaurant had been closed for a long time. The lady’s husband sadly died, so the business went that way as well. However, like many old and traditional places, it also doubled as a home, so she continued to live there.

Well, until recently that is, as when passing by last week, I found the building and those to the left of it emptied out and scheduled for demolition. An all too inevitable end it has to be said, but hopefully not for the lady, who fingers crossed is now living somewhere that is a lot comfier, even if it likely doesn’t have the same kind of character.

Jan 06 2026 6 Comments

Faded and abandoned scenes a few hours north of Tokyo

Before Christmas, my good friend Giovanni and I went on a trip a few hours north of Tokyo — the main aim of our days away being to check out some potential locations, as well as work out the logistics of an autumn workshop we have planned. A nicely varied 8-day adventure that’ll involve street photography, seasonal scenes, and the intriguing decay of old Japanese towns.

Below then is some of what what we saw. A mixture of things we wanted to see, along with plenty of nicely unexpected surprises.

Also, talking of workshops, a last minute cancellation has opened up one spot on the Winter Scenery and Old School Streets trip Giovanni and are running in February, so if that sounds of interest, the details are here.

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Lee

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