Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Photography

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Old tofu shop in Tokyo

With all its chain stores, massive shopping emporiums and incredible number of convenience stores, it’s arguably amazing to simply see small shops in Tokyo, let alone find some that are actually surviving. Yet survive they do, and in surprisingly healthy numbers, although how successfully many of them are soldiering on is something else altogether.

But either way, this fella, and quite possibly his father before him, has no doubt been making and selling tofu for more time than he’d care to remember. And fingers crossed he’ll be able to continue for many more years to come, but whether the business will be able to do so when he’s decided to call it a day, is considerably more debatable.

Tokyo tofu shop

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Comatose in a coffee shop

Finding a seat in a Tokyo coffee shop is not always easy; in fact, at certain times of the day, in seriously desirable spots, it’s practically impossible.

And it’s a situation that’s made even worse when customers are intent on nursing a tea for an eternity, or, in this particular case, clearly in need of a cup containing considerably more caffeine.

Tokyo coffee shop sleeping

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It’s a (Japanese) dog’s life

For the vast number of Japanese dogs, especially those of a diminutive nature, being pampered is commonplace — compulsory even; a practice that sees canines carried, carted about and even coloured, as well as being cooed over and constantly surrounded by cacophonous cries of Kawaii!

And yet that said, there are exceptions. Like this poor little fella for example.

Japanese dog with a backpack

As, not only is he equipped with his own backpack for carrying the essentials that no discerning dog would be seen without, such as a ball and a bone maybe, but he also has to stand guard, mind-numbingly watching over his masters while they sleep.

Japanese dog with a backpack

A situation that he clearly wasn’t pleased about, and one that definitely doesn’t beat dashing about after that ball that he actually took the trouble of taking in the first place.

Japanese dog with a backpack

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An internal Tokyo time-lapse?

All cities change, there’s no doubt about that, but Tokyo sometimes seems like it’s in an almost constant state of flux, with shops regularly being reinvented and buildings getting razed and rebuilt at a really quite staggering rate.

In fact, even in the 12 years or so that I’ve been here, some of the areas I’m familiar with have changed enormously, so what kind of transformation this old lady has seen as she leisurely looks out from her balcony must be truly mind-blowing.

Japanese old lady