“Still lost in Tokyo”
Tokyo, Japan. November 2018 – February 2019 (15 photos)
This is part 14 of my Japan 2018-19 photo series.
So I’m back from my trip to the South Island of New Zealand last week and by way of “clearing the board” I posted photos last week from my trip to Auckland in 2018. There’ll be a short delay before I post my more recent photos from New Zealand. For now, we return to Japan, and Tokyo in particular.
Japan has an estimated population of about 127 million, and approximately 13.8 million live in Tokyo. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world with over 38 million people. The city of Tokyo has no true CBD but has often been described as several cities in close proximity joined by an efficient railway system. Whether you’re lost within the human crush, dwarfed by the skyscrapers, immersed in the local culture, taken by the serenity of the shrines, adapting to local customs or simply lost in translation, it’s easy to get lost in Tokyo and that is perhaps the best way to discover and experience it. Here are some photos from my 16 days worth of wanderings, somewhere lost in Tokyo…
Remember the above man from my earlier post “Lost in Tokyo” standing inside Shibuya Station in front of the mural, “Myth of Tomorrow”? Well, after photographing him from above I decided to go down and take another photograph from in front. He obligingly remained still as people walked past.
“Shibuya nights”
I took my photo and got away from there as quickly as possible.
“11am Takeshita Street”
Just out for a peaceful Sunday morning stroll.
“Peace out”
Lost again in Shibuya.
“Above Tokyo”
That’s the Tokyo Tower on the right.
“Somewhere lost in Koenji”
The simple delight of a small suburban shrine.
“Tokyo Street Style”
Somewhere in the Ameya-Yokocho open air street market.
“The Art of Origami”
Somewhere lost in Akasaka.
“Approaching dusk”
Strolling the Ginza whilst the main road is closed to motor vehicles.
“Pikachu and friends”
You don’t have to go far to find pop culture in Tokyo.
“Akhihabara Train Station”
“Electric Town”
Akhihabara is famous for its densely packed buildings crammed full of anime, manga, and game paraphernalia. Maid cafes and owl cafes are popular here as well.
“A moment of solitude”
At the Hoshuin Temple.
“Reflective Moments”
On this occasion I took a different exit from Shibuya Station and found this.
“The Shibuya Hustle”
As soon as I realised the umbrellas were up because it was snowing, I quickly ran down and out onto the street.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
…
This is part 14 of my Japan 2018-19 photo series.
You make such professional photos. Amazing, really.
I like those reflections.
It looks like I’ve never seen before. I like to get lost like this.
Thank you very much. It’s almost as if each square is a different story. There’s a lot of fascinating architecture in Tokyo.
So it seems. Everything looks fascinating.
It is. I guess that’s why i’m itching to go back at some stage. I love it there.
I can fit in a suitcase.
LOL. 🙂 Maybe you could fit in a suitcase going there, but after all the food, you’re going to have to go home a different way. 🙂
In that case, two suitcases.
No problem. I’ll get the Louis Vuitton – might as well travel in style. 🙂
Me likey.
🙂
Fascinating photos as always! I can’t envisage being one in 38 million people in the Greater Tokyo area. It would be a very humbling sensation. Thank you for bringing all these images to your WordPress readers.
Thank you very much. And yet I found it easy to find serenity in tokyo, away from the crowds. The smaller shrines and temples just seem so beautiful.
Tokyo seems like sensory overload, in a good way. The Japanese are the masters of pop culture. Love the alien dude. And the umbrella shot is fabulous.
Thanks, the blurry umbrellas add a nice dynamism the photo, I feel.
Yes, every “character” under the sun can be found in Japan, including many I never knew of. It’s quite an experience to amongst that. I actually found those alien guys kind of freaky. I had no idea what that was all about. 🙂
It is, after all, the country that brought us hamuketsu…best to leave some things, like the alien dudes, a mystery.
True enough. I must find a hamster bottom for you at some stage. 🙂
Amazing urban centers with limitless art, culture, entertainment and history.
Indeed, Tokyo offers sensory overload for those who want it. Something for everyone.
Great use of motion blur!
Thank you. It interprets well what I was seeing and feeling at Shibuya Crossing.
Certainly a busy place!
They’ve estimated up to 2500 people may cross at one time in certain peak periods. I was there the weekend before Halloween and they had about 20 police officers “assisting” pedestrian flow on the Saturday evening.
Too busy for me, Draco!!
It was interesting as a novelty, but otherwise same for me.
You’ve made electric town look beautiful.
Thanks. the whole area has a very “electric” vibrant atmosphere. 🙂
I recognize that Starbucks, that’s where I tried to take photos from some years back. Superb photos. Tokyo streets are just so amazing.
Yes, it’s one of the more popular places to take photos of Shibuya Crossing but it can be so hard to get a good vantage point there. Day or night, Tokyo streets are a great photo opportunity.
I love that first photo. The blurred commuters rushing along, the one solitary figure not moving , just standing as the Tokyo world goes by. Magic!
Thank you very much. Life feels like that sometimes.
that picture may cause a lost in the planet-thank your guidance
Yes, very easy to get lost in the crowd.
11am Takeshita Street looks like a crowded morning stroll. But if the atmosphere in Japan is anything to go by, it’s one of no pushing and shoving. That is a lovely Pikachu and friends mural. Notice it’s graffiti-free…and I guess many of its murals and public works of art are graffiti-free. Amazing set of shots again.
Very true, even though many are tourists, there’s no pushing. Same with the frequent queues for shops/restaurants and at train stations. There’s a little bit of graffiti but not much. That’s whyy vending machines are so common there as well, compared to Australia – no malicious damage/graffiti.
A friend of mine has been in Japan recently. I will give her immediately the link to your blog!
Thanks. I hope they had a great time there.
i love going to Japan through your eyes. You see so much that others would not. (including me). I am over in Cambodia at the moment (38 degree heat – yuck) but lovely to visit here.
Thank you very much. I’m glad you’re enjoying the virtual visit.
Cambodia would be incredibly hot and humid right now. I would find it oppressive but I’m sure you’re having a great time. I can’t keep up with all your travels!
You are 100% correct. It’s stifling here. Can’t stand the 38 degrees. Still it’s nice to be here
I’m sure you’re enjoying the break there, despite that heat. If you’re in Siem Reap, book Cuisine Wat Damnak for dinner. I went there twice.
Actually call first. They may not have a vegan option.
I can see a story in all the photos. Amazing!
Thanks. There’s plenty of stories in the big city.
A world away! I’m not sure that Tokyo appeals but your take on it is superb. 🙂 🙂
Tokyo and large crowds aren’t for everyone but it’s a great experience as a tourist.
Your pictures are perfect as always. The standouts for me are 11 am Takeshita Street, Peace Out, The Art of Origami, and most notably, A Moment of Solitude. I came here for visual delight and you delivered yet again,
Thank you very much. Tokyo is a visual delight.
Great feeling and shots. You make the big city interesting despite all the high rise and all the people.
Thank you. Big cities aren’t for everyone but there is something for everyone in Tokyo.
Well put – and I understand very true.
🙂