The somehow timeless, and yet at the same time utterly dated scene, of little-used Tokyo payphones.
Tokyo: An uphill struggle?
Hokkaido nobody
After so much time spent in Tokyo, the space and comparatively sparse population of Hokkaido create a wonderful sense of escape. In fact, the area is so different, that it sometimes feels like another country, rather than somewhere a mere shinkansen ride away. And as previously documented, the region’s train stations are often beautifully, and even eerily empty. But that odd feeling of a land utterly unoccupied doesn’t just stop there. Away from the main hubs, it’s amazing just how lacking in humans the landscape can be. An unusual experience, that at certain times, and in certain places, makes it feel like the island’s people have all inexplicably disappeared.
A traditional Japanese big city festival
Traditional festivals are always a great sight, but when surrounded by the modernity of the big city, they arguably become even more of a spectacle.
Tokyo Skytree views, and a video
From several parts of the city, Tokyo Skytree is an ever-present sight. A sight that despite being far from pretty, does offer a few photographic opportunities. There’s the chance to play about with some of the shapes it helps produce.
Plus in the capital’s eastern suburbs, there are the fascinating structural contrasts the tower creates.
And it’s in those same suburbs that the video part of the post was shot. Titled, In the shadow of Tokyo’s Skytree, it’s a short section I participated in for a CNN show called Tokyo POV. A programme that aired during August.
Below is a screen grab from the slightly shorter version that’s now available online. So if you want to watch the similarly un-pretty sights of both me and Skytree, simply click here, and it’ll take you straight to the video.
