Tokyo Times

Apart from coming across possessions that can piece together at least something about the life of the person who once owned them, the other truly fascinating aspect of exploring abandoned buildings/haikyo is the sight of nature slowly taking back the structure; an open door or broken window allowing the weather and plant life to slowly but surely impose their presence.

But there again, the latter is something that can also be seen, albeit to a lesser extent, in suburbia too. And this house, which no longer appears to be lived in, was almost completely covered in vines — something similar to this one. A state that, along with an old-style post box that I have a peculiar penchant for, made, at least through my eyes, for a strangely appealing picture.

When taking pictures on Tokyo’s streets, my main aim is to do so discreetly, with the hope of capturing a true moment, and not one interrupted by a camera-wielding intruder. An ideal that’s sadly not always doable, resulting in what could sometimes be deemed the odd dirty look.

And yet now and again, actually getting caught can produce a scene that’s a little bit special, and something that simply wouldn’t have occurred otherwise. Although to be fair, the lady’s contentment is somewhat countered by her dog’s apparent discontent.

Tokyo Times has had a few photos of late featuring the capital’s growing legion of old ladies, but, while they may be in the majority, the city still has a massive number of old men.

Many of whom seem just as doddery, and yet equally determined, as their wives and sisters.