Photographs from a small group of islands
Built back in 1962, the Hotel Okura Tokyo is perfectly at home in both the past and the present; its modernist design giving it a genuinely timeless feel and beauty. Any kind of future, however, doesn’t come into the equation, as today, the Okura’s iconic main building will close to make way for a generic, high-rise glass tower. Meaning its history, charm and stunning aesthetics will very soon be gone. All of it set to be destroyed in the rather dubious guise of progress.
Old people. An old bar. And quite possibly an age-old argument.
It’s generally tough to go wrong with ramen; a comforting dish even in a run-of-the-mill chain restaurant. But when it’s made by a couple of fellas who have presumably been producing it for decades, it’s even better.
Shinjuku is arguably different from the equally well known Tokyo districts of Shibuya and Harajuku in that it appeals to a much broader age demographic; lacking, as it does, the distinct youth culture (and subcultures) of the latter two.
At the same time, however, it isn’t exactly an ideal location for the elderly. Or at least that has always been my assumption. But despite her obvious difficulties, this old woman battled through the crowds and across the wide streets in encouragingly confident fashion.
