Due to a combination of spending more time in east Tokyo, and working here, there and everywhere on a new project, I haven’t meandered round Shinjuku anywhere near as much as I used to. It’s an area I have always had a soft spot for, and after doing a photowalk there last week, I was reminded of just how much I still like it, and how I really need to start visiting more regularly once again.
That won’t be happening all that often just yet though, so until it does, I’ve put together some photos taken there over the years. I’ve done this before, but these are my absolute faves. Well, they are for now at least, anyway. Brief moments in time that I’m very happy to have documented.
Lastly, just like everywhere in Tokyo, Shinjuku has changed enormously, but whereas some locations now don’t feel quite the same anymore, Shinjuku somehow does. It may look different, yet at the same time it still has a very similar atmosphere. So here then, from fairly recently to much further back, are those aforementioned moments. Fractions of a second that in many ways capture what Shinjuku means to me.
Sean says
Awesome series! These are so good. It’s hard to pick but my favorite is probably the subway station. 🙂
Lee says
Thank you very much. And cheers, that was such a great location. A real shame it is no longer there.
Steve says
Such a great atmosphere in all these photos. Total classics!
Lee says
Thanks ever so much, that’s really good to hear.
Steve says
I’m always especially struck by the large areas of darkness in some of your outdoor photography, using it to emphasize in a dramatic, mysterious, and compelling manner.
Lee says
Thank you very much. Definitely something I like to do if the scene or location benefit from it.
Richard says
As I used to live near Shinjuku it was probably the place where I spent the most time when I wasn’t working or at home. These capture elements I recall very well. The black/white photos could be scenes in a film noire. Great work, Lee!
Lee says
Shinjuku really is a special place, isn’t it? Very glad my train line drops me off there.
And thanks a lot. That’s lovely to hear.
cdilla says
So cool to see them in one collection. I have names for most of them, the lamp, the phones and the hat, the angry faces, the quiet smoke, the pigeon, the fail, the stoop, the black hat, night subway, and suspicion.
That last location might provide a visual counterpoint to your Ameyoko portfolio.
The quiet smoke tugs at me for favourite – but the night subway will probably always win out for a Shinjuku shot – after all it is a permenant background on one of my screens.
Lee says
Thank you very much. Lovely to hear you have names for each one. I have a genuine soft spot for all of them.
The fella smoking is the most recent, but one that will continue to grow on me I think. Such a quiet moment, tinged with all kinds of feelings.
The night subway is definitely the most striking. A scene that was perfectly set up. It was just a case of waiting for the right person, in the right position.