Up up and away

Feb 02, 2023

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The Shibuya Scramble Square building standing tall and looking good on a sunny day. I am slightly sad that the Shibuya Crossing area is changing so quickly, but change is the norm in Tokyo, and thankfully it is still relatively easy to find everyday buildings and commercial premises going back half a century or more. Of course, I am also looking forward to seeing what the view from up there is like.…

Old red and black door

Jan 31, 2023

You never know what will catch your eye off the beaten track in Tokyo. We came across this on a wonderful Photowalk with photographer and long-term Tokyo resident Lee Chapman. His much more interesting take on the same scene can be seen here.

Link Looks On

Jan 29, 2023

The official Tokyo Nintendo store just before Christmas. I suppose it was a bit daft to think we would be able to get in without a wait. But a four hour queue! Nah. At least we could see into the store and got this shot of a larger than life Link looking a bit bored if I’m honest.

First Sunrise of 2023

Jan 28, 2023

We were lucky enough to have a wonderful view of the first sunrise of 2023 from the window of our hotel room. A fine way to spend a few minutes thinking about what the year ahead will bring.

Suica Mascot in Shinjuku

Jan 26, 2023

You never know what will pop out of the bushes in Tokyo. Company mascots can be overly cute sometimes, but being presented like this is still rather a nice way to liven up a station forecourt.

Water Gate Mechanism

Jan 25, 2023

Along the Sumida river there are a number of gates that can be raised or lowered. Sometime the hardware and mechanisms are visible and, as ever in Japan, are clean and well maintained, as well as being fascinating. Not for everyone I guess, but I like these kind of things.

Yaki-Imo Van

Jan 24, 2023

One evening, walking towards Ningyocho, we heard the cry “Yaki Imo, Yaki Imo, Yaki Imo” and after a couple of blocks happened across this guy selling baked sweet potatoes from a wood burning oven on the back of his van. I do hope it was nowhere near the fuel tank. We heard him later on as he passed the izakaya we were in. A wonderful sight, sound and smell.

Metro Seats

Jan 23, 2023

There is something about the classic simplicity of design of this row of seats in the Tokyo metro. There is something also about the way many stations and lines like to have them coloured to their own brand.

Docomo Yoyogi Building

Jan 22, 2023

Whilst the address of the Docomo tower is Shibuya it is from Shinjuku that I always see it, and that is where this photograph was taken.

A Sunny Day in Asakusa

Jan 21, 2023

I forget how good the weather is in December in Tokyo. Almost every day this visit began with watching the sun rise and later seeing it set.