Photographs from a small group of islands
Touchscreen phones and tablets are all well and good, but none of them can hold a torch to this mammoth, ahem, iCatching vending machine.
And even if it can’t be used to play Angry Birds or tap out a tweet, the dispensing of beverages, although admittedly adding a bit of bulk, could be just what’s needed to make the next iPad truly ‘magical’.
Coffee shops should probably be good for people watching, but in Tokyo, they are invariably full of folk just sleeping, studying, or simply tapping away into a phone or laptop. And because of this, often the most interesting thing to observe is the constant circling of new customers who can’t get a seat due to all those already in there sleeping, studying, or simply tapping away into a phone or laptop.
Over the New Year holidays, however, many places were mercifully much quieter, which meant the old man below was actually able to bag a spot that allowed him to sit down, and have a line of sight to quickly sketch people coming in and interacting at the counter. A lovely image made all the more fascinating by his practice of literally adding a little flavour to the pictures by dipping a straw into his coffee froth and then using it as a final flourish of sorts.
Despite many Japanese households being full of New Year food (osechi) for the first of the month, and indeed the foreseeable future, it doesn’t mean that when making a traditional visit to the shrine, overindulgence needs to stop. In fact, quite the opposite is true, as there’s often more than enough fare there than one could ever wish to waddle over to.
However, as good as such Japanese street food is, those actually making it are arguably more interesting, with this fella being my previous, and still ever-present, local shrine favourite.
But this year, with his towel.
And attentiveness.
This man took the title.
After a busy week at work, coupled with even busier commutes, a well-earned weekend beer or two would appear to be not only the perfect prescription, but also a prerequisite.
For several generations of the same family, a warm day out in the western reaches of Tokyo makes for a very pleasant trip indeed.
And especially so for grandad, or certainly some grandads, as this particular spot is in the garden and boozing area of the Sawanoi sake brewery.
Japanese street food is pretty damn good to begin with, and it undoubtedly plays a big part in the popularity of festivals and other public gatherings, but if this fella’s food contains as much taste as his face does character.
Then it won’t just be damn good.
But utterly delicious.
