Tokyo Times

Oct 13 2011 2 Comments

The face of Tokyo’s grittier east side?

In lots of ways Tokyo is more than just a collection of bureaucratically bordered cities, and is instead a group of really quite different areas all melded into one; an amalgam of various districts that have very diverse characters, and so attract equally distinct crowds.

Yet despite covering a large and varied chunk of the metropolis, east Tokyo arguably has an overriding and very perceptible feel all of its own. A grittier, sometimes grimmer vibe, that in many ways makes it feel — for want of a better description — more real. And this man’s face, for me at least, is the embodiment of it.

Oct 12 2011 16 Comments

The joy of books (in Jinbocho)

There’s no doubt that the likes of iPads and Kindles are the future — the ebook and tablet now set to do to the printed page what MP3s did to the CD. Or at least that’s surely the case in regards to on the road reading anyway. The multitude of books they can store, along with the added multi-media, make them the perfect all-in-one travel companion.

But despite the convenience, and the ease of making a new purchase, there’s still nothing quite like the smell, and the sometimes surprising selection, of a second hand bookshop.

Oct 10 2011 8 Comments

A dog, balancing on the back of a scooter, in Tokyo

Dogs being carried is a common sight in Tokyo. Balancing on the back of scooters, however, isn’t. And even more unusual is one that looks as nonchalant as this unquestionably cool little canine.

Oct 07 2011 3 Comments

Kimono celebration or sadness?

They may not be that uncommon, but the kimono is probably still a sight that it’s impossible to tire of. The patterns, and their almost timeless appearance, making them very difficult to pass by without a second glance — or sometimes even a stare. And as they are generally only worn for special events, there’s often a real sense of occasion about them too.

But with these two ladies, that inevitable second glance seemed to detect more sadness than celebration.

Oct 06 2011 10 Comments

Old Tokyo shops and their owners

With its mix of the modern and traditional, Tokyo really is a city of contrasts — startling ones sometimes. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the capital’s buildings, along with the businesses that inhabit them. Yes, the big name brands occupy plush boutiques and state-of-the-art structures, but for every one of them, there are several mom-and-pop shops down a side street offering all kinds of stuff or services.

These generally tiny places come in all sorts of (often ramshackle) shapes, but arguably the most interesting are the ones that still maintain the traditional home-cum-store setup.

A sliding door, curtain or simply nothing separating the shop from the sitting room — offering a fascinating look into both a person’s livelihood and life.

An aspect of the buildings that while interesting architecturally, is still nowhere near as intriguing as the people who actually live and work in them.

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