Photographs from a small group of islands
This particular traditional tofu shop may not possess ghostly apparitions in its window panes like some do, but despite only dealing with bean curd and not silently screaming demons, a break now and again is still definitely called for.
Due to its complicated mass of overhead cables, cluttered confusion and seemingly carefree approach to building controls, Tokyo certainly isn’t one of the world’s prettiest cities.
But sometimes, somehow, all of these factors come together to create fabulously photogenic thoroughfares. Features that, when frequented by equally photogenic old fellas, are even more fantastic.
Far from the brief fad it seemed destined to be, the maid cafe business surprisingly keeps battling on, with spin-offs from the original theme, such as vampire varieties, amazingly keeping the customers coming back.
But with so many cafes in operation, competition is understandably intense, and as such, it’s fair to say that flyer distributing maids are now as common on Akihabara’s corners as gadgetry. Or even camera carrying geeks.
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.