Tokyo Bloggers Gallery

Adrian Storey/Uchujin: “The city that invented the term ‘karoshi’ (death from over work) and a culture of alcohol abuse takes it’s toll on another salaryman”

From Lee Chapman of the Tokyo Times blog: “Despite Tokyo’s much-touted modernity, it’s often a very thin veneer that masks a surprisingly traditional city, and this lovely old lady in some ways embodies that, as well as highlighting the ageing of Japanese society as a whole.”

Alfie Goodrich, Tokyo-based photographer: “Snow rarely lands in Tokyo but when it does [as it did for just one night in February 2010] I have to get out in it as the city turns magical, so this shot for me is one which underwrites that, as a photographer, you gotta sieze every opportunity to get out and shoot.”

Alfie Goodrich, Tokyo-based photographer: “Kagurazaka is a neighbourhood of Tokyo that still has some old-world charm, cobbled streets, and one of the biggest dance festivals in the country in August – The Awa-odori.”

Damon Coulter, Tokyo-based photographer: “Hachiko Square in Shibuya is the de facto centre of Tokyo, and continues to be the capital’s number one meeting-place. ‘Meet you at the dog on Friday night’ is the oft heard start to a weekend of fun – referring to a statue of a famously loyal dog called Hachiko who waited at the entrance to the train station here for the return of her master from work, even several years after he had died.”

Damon Coulter, Tokyo-based photographer: “Matsuri (festivals) happen all over the city throughout the year – many festivals feature a mikoshi as pictured, which is a portable shrine carried around on the shoulders of local people. Inside, apparently, the local god is being given a noisy tour of the neighbourhood to keep him happy and ensure his continued protection. ”

Alfie Goodrich, Tokyo-based photographer: “The Rainbow Bridge is an iconic symbol of Tokyo’s bayside and I was particularly pleased with finding a unique spot to shoot it from: the old supply pier from when this part of Odaiba was a fort built to repel the American invaders in the 1800s”

From Lee Chapman of the Tokyo Times blog: “It’s true that Tokyoites work hard, but in a country of hobbyists, they are often equally committed to the more pleasurable things in life too, and of all the amateur painters, musicians and sports lovers I’ve seen, the dedication of this particular man was a genuine joy to see.”

Adrian Storey/Uchujin: “Passing through some of the busiest stations in the world everyday strange sights become normal, but every now and then something stops me in my tracks”