On some days, regardless of how many kilometres I wander, the end result is no interesting images whatsoever. Fortunately other outings can work out way better, and while it’s highly unlikely any of these will become long term faves, they are nonetheless photographs that nicely document a recent Tokyo meander. One that took in some old and familiar locations, along with a few previously unseen spots surprisingly near to them.
I don’t shoot a lot in the rain — my usual excuse being I need to manually focus, and trying to hold an umbrella between one’s shoulder and neck when taking a picture isn’t the most elegant of approaches. It’s not exactly the most ergonomic either.
To be honest though I’ve become something a fair weather photographer, and the issues mentioned above are more than manageable. Something these photos hopefully prove. All of them taken on a recent walk when at times the rain turned out to be much heavier than forecast. They are also results I like, so maybe, just maybe, I’ll be a little less inclined to stay indoors the next time outdoors is a bit inclement.
Oh, and as a side note, for more old vending machines, my latest newsletter contains a whole host of them.
These are photos from a walk I did that included a huge public housing complex just south of Tokyo. A network of once futuristic buildings that have always fascinated me, so in one of my future newsletters I’ll compile a full series of the photographs, along with some historical background and the societal changes such structures brought about.
For now though, these are just a small set that document a meandering walk that while not entirely intentional, resulted in photos showing the quiet, faded and increasingly empty scenes one often sees in Japan. Sights that, as these amply prove, are in no way limited to more rural areas.
Old Tokyo buildings and businesses are a constant theme of my work. Faded backdrops that say so much about the city’s past, as well as the countless stories connected with them.
That said, the addition of a person in the frame is something I always hope for. Not just any old person either, but someone with at least some kind of visual association — no matter how tenuous that may be. It could be age, demeanour, or simply the colours they are wearing. An element that in one way or another complements the overall image.
These then are recently taken shots along those lines. Several of them feature places I’ve photographed before, whereas others are first time finds.
There are numerous before and after posts on these pages, with the most poignant being this one involving both people and places. The kind of documentation I never really thought about when taking the initial photos. Instead, they were simply scenes and moments that for one reason or another I found appealing. Nowadays, however, I’m very aware that each time I photograph something, or indeed someone, it might be the one and only chance I get.
These then are images along those lines. Quiet frames that give at least some sense of the changes Tokyo is going through.
The vast majority of my work, both personal and professional, is shot on a digital Leica M — arguably one of the most film-like experiences it’s possible to have with a non-analogue camera. Still, regardless of old-school styling and a comparatively limited set of technological capabilities, it remains a fully digital process. An experience I thoroughly enjoy too, as the M is a camera I simply love using. A piece of kit that even on days when I don’t feel especially creative, encourages me to go out and take photos.
All that said, I also appreciate the look and imperfections of film, so I generally carry an old school camera in my bag as well. One that admittedly may not get used all that often, but one that is nonetheless always there. And so these then are some film photos taken in various abandoned places in and around Japan over the last 6 months or so. Moments when I remembered the camera was there, felt the shot was worthy, or simply had a day when I wanted to shoot more film.
In a city on such a scale, it’s not the least bit surprising that there’s an endless variety of Tokyo people and places to be seen. All of which are even better if there’s a potential photo to be found as well. So these then are just some such scenes encountered on recent Tokyo Photowalk Tours.
There are lots of photos on these pages documenting the changes Tokyo is going through, but only a single example from Osaka. It is though a very poignant one. The end of a truly wonderful old coffee shop.
Sadly that doesn’t mean old Osaka isn’t gradually disappearing, because it is — I just don’t get to revisit the same places as regularly as I do in Tokyo. That said, this particular scene caught my eye on a recent-ish walk there. It was the lady I recognised first. Stood in exactly the same spot as when I last saw her. Only this time, the old stationary shop on the corner wasn’t there anymore. The space it once occupied already being readied for its modern replacement.
On this occasion, however, there was still continuity, with the presence of both the woman and her fruit, vegetable and pickle selling near neighbour. The first three photos being before, and the latter three now. A now that will hopefully persist well into the future.
It’s alway rewarding to take photos that tell stories, or at the very least hint at them — the constant hope of which propels me to pick up my camera and head out into the world. Now and again though, some scenes are simply appealing. Sometimes they even produce a smile. And so these then are a colour and transportation themed series of such sights. Several of them are older shots, whereas others are very recent finds taken on my Tokyo Photowalk Tours.
For something a bit different, this is a set of photos taken from The Vanishing World. A zine of mine produced by Bump Books.
For a lot of my work that gets published, I choose the photos, and quite often the sequencing of them too. At other times, simply a single or small number of images are requested.
The process for The Vanishing World, however, was completely different, as the photographs were chosen without my input, which made seeing the resultant selection and the order they were arranged in genuinely interesting. They represent a far more objective take than I could ever manage, as invariably I have all kinds of associations with the photos I take.
A collection then that I’m very happy with. Only one photo was swapped out in the end, and that was for a similar shot from the same location.
The zine itself is also well made, dimensionally quite small (210mm x 148mm), but at the same packed with 25 photographs. Printed in the UK, it is available from Bump Books, but I have a limited number of signed copies available that I’m offering at a reduced price in combination with an A4 print of the overgrown car shot below — or a different print if you get in touch before ordering. Available from my shop here should you be interested, with free worldwide shipping included.
Just over a week ago, my good friend Giovanni and I wrapped up our first workshop together. An eight-day adventure that took in Tokyo, Takayama, Toyama, and one last location that unfortunately didn’t begin with a T, Osaka.
The weather was pretty much ideal most of the time, with light where and when we wanted it, along with a fresh layer of snow covering the traditional villages. We also met a whole host of interesting and friendly people, plus most importantly of all, the fellow photographers who joined us were the loveliest group we could have hoped for. The key ingredient that made the whole trip an absolute joy.
These then are just some of the photos I took along the way. A mixture of markets, old streets and arcades, plus in a break from the images I usually show, some non-urban landscapes. All of which we’ll visit again next year, so if you are interested in participating, keep an eye out for the upcoming dates and info.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted any new photos from Yasukuni shrine on National Foundation Day. I still visit almost every year, but for the most part the light hasn’t been helpful at all. The other week, however, was different. Admittedly the rain sadly stopped shortly before things got going, but the overcast conditions did allow me to get the shots I wanted.
It should be said that just like all the other visits, I wasn’t hassled at all for getting fairly close and taking photographs. No words at all were spoken. In fact there was barely even a dirty look. A lack of reaction that I do appreciate, especially as I am very visibly foreign..
All that said, this year felt slightly different. The country now has a new Prime Minister whose large majority signals a significant shift to the right, with constitutional revision among the many touted changes. A trend that arguably began in the previous election with gains for the then relatively unknown ‘Japanese First’ Sanseito party.
The group in the photos, of course, are way beyond anything in mainstream politics, but it did make me think about the potential changes to come, both in regards legislation, and daily life.
Seeing the old lady sat in the doorway of her home and former shop was really something. Along with being very visually appealing, there are details galore, from the signs and slow decay, to the owner herself. An absolute wealth of stories that are only added to by the very visible passage of time. So after a couple of wider shots, I couldn’t resist taking a much closer portrait.
Now in its sixth decade, it’s possible the shop may still last many more years to come. At the same time, quite conceivably it could be gone next month. Even next week. For now though it happily remains. A sight to simply take in and thoroughly enjoy.
It’s not always possible to put photos into a theme, or tell a story. Certainly not one that’s genuinely cohesive anyway. So instead then, these are simply random Tokyo portraits taken on some of my recent Tokyo photowalk tours. Images that if nothing else give a sense of daily life in the Japanese capital.
In January I took the last photo in this series — the kind of shot that’s something of a rarity for me, so despite being happy with the results, I wasn’t really sure what to do with it.
That said, with the view overlooking Shinjuku, it did make me think about all the time I’ve spent there over the years, along with the many photographs I’ve taken. A good few of which have become all time faves.
Thoughts then that resulted in this series. A ‘Shinjuku Best’ kind of collection. Or perhaps more accurately, the best at the present moment, as such tastes do tend to change over time. It was hard though whittling them down to a manageable number, so I decided to make this set the more cohesive sequence, and then put all of them together in my latest newsletter. It’s viewable here, and this is where you can subscribe if you’d like to.
Western Village first opened in the early 1970s. It was originally quite a modest affair known as Kinugawa Family Ranch, but its Wild West theme caught the public’s attention, and it gradually expanded, which also meant a new name. However, despite that early success, changing times resulted in similarly changing fortunes, and in 2006 it closed, leaving the buildings, and in particular the animatronic figures, to slowly succumb to time, nature, and more than a little vandalism.
I first visited in 2017, with half of these photos taken back then, but finding myself in the area just recently, it was impossible to resist another look. Perhaps unsurprisingly, more damage has been meted out to the increasingly sinister residents, with John Wayne in particular looking very worse for wear. Or at least that’s who I assume the cowboy is supposed to be. His dark and empty eye sockets proving especially unsettling.
Far more disappointing was to find the buildings all boarded up, meaning photos of their inhabitants had to be taken through the windows, although in some ways that made them more atmospheric. Plus the whole area is still watched over by the hugely incongruous Mount Rushmore recreation. A sight that one definitely does not expect to see by the side of an otherwise nondescript Japanese road.
On a recent trip a few hours north of Tokyo, we saw a whole host of faded scenes — places where time, neglect and the climate had taken their toll. There were also plenty of abandoned buildings to be seen as well. Hotels in particular, of both the conventional and love variety, plus several homes.
These then are photographs of some of the interiors we saw. Sights that in so many of Japan’s small towns and settlements are increasingly the norm. A decline that will only become more visible as the population gets smaller, and those young enough continue to make their wholly understandable exodus to the country’s major hubs and cities. All of which make such locations a fascinating mix of the past, present and future.
This sushi restaurant had been closed for a long time. The lady’s husband sadly died, so the business went that way as well. However, like many old and traditional places, it also doubled as a home, so she continued to live there.
Well, until recently that is, as when passing by last week, I found the building and those to the left of it emptied out and scheduled for demolition. An all too inevitable end it has to be said, but hopefully not for the lady, who fingers crossed is now living somewhere that is a lot comfier, even if it likely doesn’t have the same kind of character.
Before Christmas, my good friend Giovanni and I went on a trip a few hours north of Tokyo — the main aim of our days away being to check out some potential locations, as well as work out the logistics of an autumn workshop we have planned. A nicely varied 8-day adventure that’ll involve street photography, seasonal scenes, and the intriguing decay of old Japanese towns.
Below then is some of what what we saw. A mixture of things we wanted to see, along with plenty of nicely unexpected surprises.
Also, talking of workshops, a last minute cancellation has opened up one spot on the Winter Scenery and Old School Streets trip Giovanni and are running in February, so if that sounds of interest, the details are here.
With another year almost done and dusted, it’s time once again to choose my favourite photos from the last 12 months. Or perhaps more accurately, favourite photo series, as for a good while now I’ve preferred to put together sets of images. The idea being that such an approach is better suited to telling stories, along with documenting everyday life and locations.
On a more personal level, 2025 has happily been a busy one. My Tokyo Photowalk business continues to do well, with Osaka now very much a part of that as well. Doing the walks for so many years now means it’s also been really nice to welcome back customers for second, third or fourth outings. A lovely, unexpected extra that makes such work all the more rewarding.
This year also marked the start of my newsletter. It’s here if you are interested. Something I’d wanted to try for ages, and now it’s been up and running for a good few months, I’m happy I did. A medium that allows me to write about things and photos slightly differently.
In the 2024 round-up I mentioned a project I’d been working on that was expected to see the light of day in spring 2025. Well, it didn’t. Thankfully though it was just a delay, and it (a book I’m pleased to say) should be out by April or May next year. There’ll be a Tokyo street photography book I’m a part of released in the first half of the year as well. Plus on top of that my good friend Giovanni and I are doing an 8-day, Japanese old school streets and winter scenery workshop in February, with hopefully an autumn one coming soon. So lots to look forward to and be grateful for in 2026.
That, however, is the future. For now, these are the photo series I liked the most over the last 12 months. As always, some are simply down to the resultant images, whereas others are more due to the attachment I have to them, along with several that are a mixture of both. There’s no particular order. Just how I felt they worked best. I’ve also added links to the original posts and full series of photos, as only some from each set are included here.
All of which pretty much wraps up Tokyo Times for the year. Regular Tuesday updates will resume again on January 6th, so until then, enjoy the holidays and be sure to appreciate the people you spend them with.
More Tokyo citizens and their everyday surroundings
The inevitable end of a lovely little Tokyo building
The green and space of Tokyo’s far west
Old and dated scenes from a southern Japan city
Scenes from a traditional old Tokyo bathhouse
Sights from a search for a stunning old Tokyo Coca-Cola sign
The beauty of nature taking man-made objects back
An old Tokyo bar, its owners and a rare case of renewal
The end of a stunning old Tokyo bookshop
An 88-year-old man in his lovely old Japanese coffee shop
Abandoned arcade games and cable cars
Post-apocalyptic scenes from a long-abandoned Japanese hotel
