Under Marunouchi Plaza

Nov 14, 2021

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There is a huge amount of pedestrian space underneath Tokyo, and often it can be pretty sparsely populated. This is from under Marunouchi Plaza near Tokyo Station taken early evening just before Christmas. These places provide access without consideration of traffic, and I think much of their reason for being were the number of pedestrian accidents. They also protect you from the elements whether that is rain, cold or heat, and are always well lit and very, very clean.…

Rooftop Cafe

Nov 10, 2021

There are many places you can get great views over Tokyo. A view from Tokyo Tower revealed this scene over a rooftop cafe. It’s design and structure just cannot be seen from the ground, and even when sitting there as a patron you prabaly don’t get a good feel for the whole.

Post Office Reflections

Oct 28, 2021

Some may think concrete, steel and glass buildings a bit soulless. But they have different and often appealing moods depending on the season and time of day. Here, the Marunouchi Post Office building shows interesting reflections of the nearby buildings and lovely clear blue December afternoon sky.

Ningyocho Nights

Oct 04, 2021

This Chinese restaurant on a busy road looks and smells so inviting on a cool evening at the turn of the year. The whole road was lined with New Year lanterns at the time.

Lucky Shutters

Sep 13, 2021

The shutters drawn down over this tradional Japanese sweet shop depict the Seven Gods of Fortune that are said to bestow longevity, fortune, popularity, sincerity, kindness, dignity, and magnanimity.

dondonudon

Aug 28, 2021

A wonderful little udon restaurant hidden away under the Hakozaki junction in Chuo City. There are so many of these small establishments and each has its own atmosphere.

Crossings

Aug 01, 2021

One of my favourite sounds in Tokyo is the sound of a level crossing. Just adjacent to Araiyakushi Mae station in the early morning people are making their way to work and school across the tracks. Many have just alighted from the departing ever-punctual train. The trains in Tokyo really are a wonder. We had just finished a three train journey across Tokyo during a Friday morning rush hour, and despite the sheer number of people, it never felt overcrowded or uncomfortable

Kebab Shop

Jul 21, 2021

There is so much of Tokyo in this tiny scene. The utility poles, the narrow roads, the even narrower buildings, a temple, vending machines, a combini, bicycles and a bright, but this time sadly closed, a bright shop selling hot food to take away. Perfection.

Takeaway Yakitori

Jul 12, 2021

I am always awed and pleased to see such establishments as this happily opening up and selling their wares each day. This place must take some setting up and taking down each day. I love the colourful flowers and New Year ornaments put out.

Utility Pole

Jun 17, 2021

Utility poles, with their spectacular nests of cables, are everywhere in Tokyo. They line the edges and paths of the city distributing power and communications to tens of millions of addresses. Some people find them ugly. More don’t even notice them, and on occasion the Government expresses its embarrassment at them. Personally I like them. It’s like looking up at vapour trails. It makes me wonder about the locations and people they connect.…