Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Culture

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Buddhist prayers under Tokyo train tracks

Buddhist monks praying and accepting donations aren’t uncommon sights on Tokyo’s streets. Men who, along with their commendable dedication, offer an interesting contrast to the fashion and modernity that mostly surrounds them. But by all accounts, not all of them are genuine, with the general consensus being that some are merely masquerading as monks to make some money.

This fella, however, would appear to be the real deal, as he has been praying under the tracks near Tokyo’s Ueno Station for years. A fascinatingly still and silent presence in a city that is anything but.

Japanese Buddhist monk in Tokyo

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Tsukiji fish market tuna carcasses and the men who cut them up

Originally set to be moved to a shiny modern complex next year, the wonderfully chaotic and happily old-school Tsukiji fish market has been granted a stay of execution due to soil contamination at the new location. Findings that unsurprisingly have heaped considerably more criticism on an already contentious decision.

However, while Tsukiji in its current form may live on for another year, it’s a very different story for the dazzling array of sea dwellers that arrive at the market. None of which are more representative of Tsukiji than the tuna; a fact proven by the recent hoopla surrounding this month’s record breaking first auction of the year which saw a bluefin sell for a staggering 155 million yen.

Huge, initially quite startling beasts, that are carefully cut up with equally impressive knives.

Tsukiji fish market tuna

A fascinating procedure that is as time consuming as it is time-honoured.

Tsukiji fish market tuna

Tsukiji fish market tuna

With the end result being fabulously glistening raw meat, and the considerably less appealing looking carcasses.

Tsukiji fish market tuna

Tsukiji fish market tuna

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The very obvious joy of an outdoor, back-to-basics, Japanese bath

Bath time is hugely important in Japan, and arguably even more so when it’s of the public and natural variety — the soothing volcanic water and communal element making it a key feature of tourism as well as everyday life.

But while many hotels boast beautifully designed baths with absolutely stunning views, the back-to-basics approach of a tub and some companions clearly takes some beating.

Japanese outdoor bath