TOKYO by DOMINIK PHOTOGRAPHY

tokyo Urban street photography Photo journalism

Throughout my life, Japanese products & gadgets have played a significant role. The Walkman in the 80-ies profoundly changed my music listening habits. My first amplifier and the whole Hi-Fi stereo system were Japanese. So was my first color TV.

Both my electric and my acoustic guitars – all Japanese. Various other musical instruments I owned and own – all Japanese.

The gear boxes on most bicycles I ever drove were also Japanese. Various motorbikes I owned throughout my life were of Japanese make.

And even until now, Japanese brands dominate my life. For instance, most of the cloth I wear nowadays are from a well-known Japanese brand. So are the cars we drive.

And of course, all my photographic equipment is Japanese.

Yet, I never visited the country where all this is made or at least is conceived.

Also, I visited several times the Northern Capital: 北京 Bei Jing . So it was high time that I also see the great Eastern capital: 东京 Dong Jing better known as Tokyo.

I did not really know what to expect. Yet I had high expectations. And I was not disappointed. Not at all.

shoes on a conveyor belt...

Simply overwhelming !

I had visited BIG cities in the past, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul – and never did I feel overwhelmed. But in Tokyo, I felt a bit like a villager who has come to town for the first time…

Underground train stations in which you can walk for 30 – 40 minutes from one end to the other and which have 16 different exits (some subdivided in 16A, 16B, etc… ).

Machines to operate to order a simple meal, all sorts of vending machines and and and…

Contrasts everywhere

What I found most interesting are the contrasts between ultra-modernity and deeply rooted traditions. One moment driving among the highest skyscrapers I have seen in Jinjuku. And then amid those concrete giants, one can find small tranquil temples and shrines.

Loud, bright, fast, vibrant Harajuku contrasts with huge, beautiful parks.

Speaking of parks. Tokyo has lots of them. Yoyogi park being the biggest and most ‘famous’ among them.

But in terms of beauty and ‘Japanese-ness’ the botanical gardens of Jinjuku were my favorite. This wonderful park has three distinctly different areas. An English garden, a ‘wild garden’ and a Japanese garden. Among those, the Japanese garden was my favorite.