Tokyo Times

In a city as dense and concrete heavy as Tokyo, there’s not exactly what one would call an abundance of greenery. Fortunately, however, there are surprising moments of it, although a certain amount of imagination is sometimes still needed.

2015 is the year of the sheep, an animal that is regularly referenced in relation to the Japanese character due to a perceived tendency to unquestioningly follow others. A sweeping generalisation that admittedly contains some truth, and yet at the same time is almost comically incorrect.

For a nation of devout shoppers and bargain hunters, early January is nothing short of a gift from the New Year gods; the abundance of sales creating the perfect opportunity to rein in those inevitable back to work blues with a serious bout of retail-related therapy.

But, just like in all other aspects of life, there are no guarantees, and going home terribly disappointed is clearly still a distinct possibility.

At the start of a new year, the focus is very often on new beginnings, along with the changes that have occurred, and will continue to occur, around us. But some things never change. Not perceptibly anyway. And their beauty never, ever, fades.