Photo Journal: Tokyo, Japan in Focus
If you’ve talked to me over the past two years, you’ve probably heard me obsessively gushing about the meticulous and esoteric wonders of Japan; that and my unhealthy fixation on zombies. But the latter is a topic I will spare you from and promise never to post about… again.
Anyway as I prepare for my next trip to Tokyo in the coming weeks, I thought I’d share my favorite aspects of my second favorite city in the world:
New and old norms: Tokyo is a dichotomous mix of modern trends to the extreme and abidingly antiquated manners to a T(ea ceremony); a mix that you wouldn’t expect to co-exist so harmoniously among a relatively homogenous population. Walking through the streets of the city, you will see cutesy cartoon mascots, Harajuku get-ups, punk rockers but yet also couples clad in traditional kimono walking hand in hand with practiced and impeccable rhythm. There is such a simultaneous mix of self-expression and self-control — even in the extreme.
Food, food and food: The cultivation of perfection can be seen in all facets of life in Tokyo. My favorite manifestation of this quality is through the food. Did you know that Tokyo has more Michelin stars than NYC and Paris combined?? The vegetables, meats, grains and carbs are microscopically cut (I think if you measured it, every cut would be identical) and attentively seasoned to suit the human palate in a, dare I say, mind-blowing way. The variety of Japanese food from ramen, teppanyaki, kaiseki, yakitori, udon, sushi have helped me develop new cravings that are not quite satiated outside of Japan. And never mind the Japanese food — if you’re looking for the best Italian, French, Mexican, American, Namibian, Yemenese, Micronesian, [insert obscure country here] food outside the native country, you’ll find it in Japan. Even though Japan is so homogeneously Japanese, the city features some of the best international restaurants in the world.
Style, not fashion: Because it’s more about style than brands, Tokyo “fashion” is centered more around individuality and less around mass luxury. Don’t get me wrong, luxury good sales in Tokyo are amongst the highest in the world and I have succumbed to many a Celine bag purchases there (only on my most severe retail therapy sessions…) but for the most part style trumps brand name.
Serenity now: With the world’s largest population, the city of Tokyo doesn’t feel overwhelmingly crowded. You know why? Because unlike the aggressive-but-“don’t-take-it-personally” New Yorkers, the Japanese are orderly and civil. Riding the overcrowded subways in NY always make me feel like a malleable sardine in a (smelly) tin can but riding the overcrowded subways in Tokyo make me feel like I’m wedged between freshly washed pillows.
Wrapped in a bow: Everything in Japan is perfectly packaged: neatly folded, wrapped, boxed, bowed, gift bagged. Some find the extra frills excessive but shopping in Japan always brings back nostalgic memories of my childhood when I appreciated the box more than what was in it. There’s something magical behind packaging that makes even the most mundane purchase (e.g. soap or toilet paper) that much more special. Enjoy my packaging of Tokyo below!
Hotels:
Peninsula Tokyo
1-8-1 Yurakucho Chiyoda
Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
+81 3-6270-2888
ANA Intercontinental
1-12-33 Akasaka Minato-ku
Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
+81 3-3505-1111
jesickalabud
What camera do you use by the way!!! Details please!?!?! LOVE your photography.
elleyess
Hey Jess, I’ve used a ton of different cameras over the last few years. For this post, I was using the Canon 7D!
The Seoul Girl
I lived in Tokyo for four years and my favourite thing to do was to take my friends to Harajuku and show them all the dressed up people (anime to punk rockers to greasers) and then take a walk through the Meiji shrine and show them what a Japanese wedding looks like. Best juxtaposition of the cultures right there.
Also you’re right about the food. Although I love love love Japanese food and I have a laundry list of places that I shoot out to my friends, my favourite restaurant is a spot called Cicada in Aoyama that has the best hummus I’ve had in Asia.
elleyess
Thank you, Theo. I think the Japanese are good at finding the beauty in the simplest of objects. I just hope I captured those elements for you!
Theo
I find it so tough to best describe the beauty of the Japan and its peoples. Thought you did a great job in showing how its best seen in the simplest of objects. My favorites are the Shinto gate and the Meiji Temple wedding. Great shots.
ikwon81
The little girl’s expression is so priceless…I was once that innocently curious.
elleyess
Yes, I miss those days..!
Andy Morgan
Lovely to read such interesting words about a place I’d love to visit. Made me wish I was there too. You take a beautiful photo, and you make a beautiful photo x
elleyess
Andy, you’re too kind.. I wish you’d take another trip out to Asia!