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The plush interior of the wonderful Daikanyama T-Site may well be a world away from Moriyama Daido’s usual haunt of the decidedly less glamorous, and far more gritty, Shinjuku. But, on Monday night, in a quiet corner of the vast bookshop, this giant...

An unusually quiet scene that yet somehow. In some ways. Sums up Tokyo.

At the weekend in particular, Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park offers the visitor such a vast array of sights and sounds that it’s hard to be genuinely surprised by anything anymore. An attribute that means musicians, cosplayers and entertainers of all descriptio...

Just over a week ago, the last of Japan’s 54 nuclear power plants was shut down; a process that took almost 14 months. Primarily they were taken offline to conduct safety tests, but huge public opposition also played its part. A role that will be ev...

Seeing an old lady looking after a load of goldfish with a parrot on her shoulder is definitely not an everyday sight. Or at least it’s not if you don’t live anywhere near an old lady who sells fish and has a parrot. But add to that the rather forlor...

There are lots of tedious jobs in Tokyo. Perhaps none more so than the holding up of placards promoting the likes of pachinko or new properties. And for this fella, in contrast to his rather jaunty hat, the toad work, to paraphrase Philip Larkin, see...

Tokyo’s glitzy Ginza district is mostly known for its expensive brands and flagships stores. A place where the rich go to buy, and the rest to browse. At the weekend, however, when the main street is pedestrianised, some people go for a family day ou...

Over the weekend, Japan’s last operating nuclear plant was shut down, leaving the country without atomic power for the first time since 1970. A move that for a large number of people means job done — at last.

Due to Japan’s rather old-fashioned approach to tattoos, this man won’t be able to spend some time in a spa, or even pop down to his local swimming pool. Thankfully he can, however, still stand and posture with them in the park.

For a country renowned for its conformity, Japan throws up a wonderful array of contradictions, meaning one can never be completely sure of what’s round the next corner. Surprises that, despite Tokyo’s many faults, make it a continually fascinating...

Tokyo’s subway system is as clean and efficient as its highly praised cousin above ground. So much so in fact that it results in a rather sterile, characterless environment. One invariably made even more tedious by painfully long walks down practical...

Happy. Unhurried. And hand in hand in Harajuku.

In a country that places such a great importance on appearance, it’s surprising how many salary men sport truly shocking wigs. Hairpieces that are often so obvious it can only be assumed that the wearers eyesight has faded as much as their follicles....

A kind of conversation that’s quite possibly as common as their kimonos are uncommon.

It’s not unusual at all to see train travellers in Tokyo either utterly worn out from work, or worse for wear from one too many. This fella, however, was so tired after a tipple or ten that even the seat was an unsteady step too far.

The young. The old. The fallen.

After visiting the abandoned but perfectly preserved mountain school last year, it seemed inconceivable that there was a similar haikyo out there that could match it. And in many ways, the incredibly decayed Shimo Ashigawa Primary in Yamanashi Prefec...

In fact so long as there are a few bits of cherry blossom still about, drinking on the street is not only socially acceptable, it’s sociable. Plus possibly even more staggering is the fact that it’s so incredibly civilised.

Thoughtfully provided seats in department stores are more often than not the domain of men. Reluctant shoppers who despite their best efforts get dragged out into the frightening world of ladies fashion and furnishings. A misery that to their great c...

Video games and trains are all well and good, but arguably neither of them can light up a little lad’s imagination like an igloo. Especially so when one least expects to see one. Such as on a side street. In Tokyo. In spring.

At this time of year, there are few things that can avert people’s eyes from the cherry blossom or their booze, but a fella in a frilly frock would appear to be one of them.

Tokyo’s cherry blossoms may well be associated with large amounts of booze, but they are a yearly pleasure enjoyed by people of all ages. From pensioners like the ones posted last week. To the young families photographed below. A simple social event...

After the curtailment of cherry blossom-related festivities last year, there’ll be no holding back whatsoever this time. In fact, so keen are revellers to get sat down and sink a beverage or two, that many areas are already busy, despite there being...

Japanese fertility festivals aren’t necessarily for the faint of heart, but what they definitely are is fun; good-natured bawdiness that remarkably never seems to slip into sleaziness. What these events also do is effortlessly mix the traditional, wi...