Millions of visitors to Tokyo = Millions of photos.
“We’ve all seen Tokyo” was the statement I heard. Then I thought about the size of this metropolitan area and my reply was, “I think not.”
The Tokyo metropolitan area population is approximately 37 million people, making it one of the largest urban regions in the world. And what else is crazy is that over 22 million people visited last year. What does all this mean? There are millions and millions of photos captured here as well. It’s truly wild.
But here lies my beef with the quote “We’ve all seen Tokyo.” I can walk a thousand steps in any direction and find something truly new to me. I mostly enjoy evening or nighttime photowalks because I’m always hunting for a mood, and if you know me and my style, mood is a priority. But wait. Let’s get back to that truly new thing and what I often see.
The stairwell heading up to a groovy establishment in Jiyugaoka 自由が丘? ✅
Keith Haring-inspired noren near Oimachi Staion 大井町駅? ✅
Vending machine-lit wall art along the tracks between Daikanyama and Shibuya? ✅
I’ll get into it more, but I just wanted to give you a teaser of what’s to come.
As you may see, I’m focused on creating moods and a vibe. What is that? Well, maybe it’s what slide film might have looked like 50 years ago, or some groovy Hong Kong vibrancy. Keep in mind that I’m not stating this is exactly what those things look like, but it’s how my mind thinks about a scene and how I want to bring it to you. One more thing: I actually create these images and styles for myself. This is how I want to see my environment and I’m obsessed with it all.
Now here’s an example of a building that scores of people may have seen and photographed because it’s part of the Tokyo Toilet Project. For me, it’s a red building where a weary taxi driver can pull up, get out, and take a piss. Same location. Different story.
Here’s another interesting location. I have no clue if tourists are interested in photographing this joint, but it’s camera candy if you ask me. Outside, slam your camera settings to MONOCHROME and you’re set! I can see it now. Lots of superb contrasts and complex shapes. Visit the Google Maps page to see what I’m talking about. What do I see? Super-cool compositions and weird color treatments. Fine, a daytime triptych for you.
Here’s another trifecta of images. This is on a Roppongi 六本木 side street, a short distance from Tokyo Tower and the busy intersections where I see content creators showing you how to compose images of the orange structure that’s in front of them.
Let’s go to Akihabara, shall we? You may have seen a thousand images of the area with its buildings adorned with bright and colorful signs, girls dressed as maids beckoning passing victims to get them to their establishments, and the list goes on. Me? Well, I go a little deeper.
When I get out on photowalks with pals and visitors, we might stroll the latest location on someone’s listicle, and that’s fine. What ends up happening is that we find something different, always. I dig understanding their perspective. I like learning what drives them. One epic photowalk was with a pal from Nova Scotia, Canada, Dan Helle. We were able to discuss scenes and feed off the unknown bits around the corner—even in the most popular areas of Tokyo.
A few more photos from a recent video where I touched on this subject.
Here’s the video that was the spark that lit this short article on fire.
I want you to photograph Tokyo. Do it. Get your shots in! Find all that delights you and show friends and family where you’ve been. I’m not saying you shouldn’t photograph the typical places. I’m telling you what I photograph and what drives me. That’s it, plain and simple. I want to show you what my eyes create and how I bring it all together.
So when you hear someone say, “We’ve all seen Tokyo,” challenge them and present your images or show them mine. Wink wink. Nudge nudge.
