Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

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Tokyo Game Show goodies

For many of the Tokyo Game Show’s male visitors, it’s a great chance to take pictures of the gamut of goodies on display, allowing them a sneak preview of something that in the near future they’ll be able to view in the privacy of their own homes, where, if it turns out to be as good as they hope, will provide endless hours of joystick fiddling fun.

Tokyo Game Show girlies

Plus, if they are really lucky, it may also involve multiplayer action.

Tokyo Game Show girlies

But, as well as games galore, the event also boasts a considerable cosplay contingent, sporting all manner of weird and wonderful outfits.

Japanese cosplay

A pastime that whether rightly or wrongly is often derided, with its more vocal detractors claiming that such gatherings are little more than modern day freak shows. Such views however are a little on the harsh side to say the least, as regardless of how colourful and chaotic these get-togethers may be, they are hardly a throwback to the bad old days of bearded ladies.

Japanese cosplay

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Sushi service

The constraints of space and increasingly time in Tokyo make the notion of ‘convenience’ the norm rather than something noteworthy; however given the added option of either cut-price cost or comfort, the former always seems to be favourite.

Tokyo standing sushi

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Japanese grape growers

Tokyo, it has to be said, is not exactly blessed with greenery, but in neighbouring Yamanashi Prefecture, they have a veritable glut of the stuff.

Yamanashi Japan

Although thankfully for the purist, there is a generous enough smattering of concrete accommodation to give it at least a hint of that traditional Tokyo-like topography.

Yamanashi Japan

Somewhat surprising however is that a large amount of the colouring comes from grapes, with this part of Yamanashi in particular positively bursting with them. A crop that, considering the Japanese love affair with packaging, thankfully comes complete with wrapping — or at least a preliminary part of it.

Yamanashi grapes and wine

Such an abundance also means that the region is blessed with wineries, making the thought of a trip all the more worthwhile. But despite the use of foreign names,

Japanese winery

and complicatedly carved barrels,

Japanese winery

the end product could be politely described as poor, unpalatable even. The labelling of one particular tipple as すごい ワイン (great wine) arguably taking optimism to previously uncharted territory.

Japanese winery

And then some.