Photographs from a small group of islands
Shopping may well be a sort of semi-official national sport in Japan, but for one or two people at least, it still can’t beat the simple pleasure of a particularly good book.
Regardless of the glut of strange glances it may garner.
Considering the frightening amount of financial failures over the last few years, the purchase of an apparently lucky trinket or two definitely can’t do any harm as we prepare to delve into a new decade.
And, if nothing else, this bloke looks like a good old boy to buy something from.
Despite Japan’s previous Prime Minister, Taro Aso, being a Catholic, the general consensus seems to be that Christians only make up around 1 percent of the population — a lowly figure that, over the Christmas period at least, a few of the few try to boost by the careful placement of some placards.
But that said, prompting people to reflect upon or even repent their apparent wrongdoings in Shinjuku, where carnal sins and consumerism could almost be classed as compulsory, would be no mean feat indeed.
A miracle even.
The combination of always carrying my mobile, and the considerable number of photography apps currently available, has meant that the iPhone has recently become a particularly pleasing plaything, allowing me to bag pictures I may otherwise have missed, or, alternatively, experiment more with those I might not have.
A versatility that can result in opportunities for surreptitious shots of ladies paying no attention to train manners by talking on the phone, with the time-honoured technique of marginally covering one’s mouth really not concealing any of the conversation.
And, on the slopes, when a bulky camera would have unbalanced my sadly still basic abilities, the iPhone is a semi-decent substitute of sorts.
Or, with a few app-based alterations, there is the option of some slightly different takes on well known districts.
Or less well known window displays.
Plus an amazingly bendy building.
Some youngsters happily sauntering home.
And the quaintest little train I have ever had the pleasure to come across.
A journey that was quite possibly filled with more laughter than the one below, as it involves a care worker walking with an old couple on what could well have been their last potter around the park.
Should you have the urge to see some more, several of these pictures, along with plenty of others, can also be viewed here, where all the iPhone images I upload to my Twitter page are now located.
Wherever you are, and whoever you are with, I hope you get whatever it is you wish for.
Merry Christmas!