Tokyo Tower seen in the distance from a pedestrian bridge in Minato ward, Tokyo. When people talk about Tokyo, this is what many people think of.
I’ve lived in the area near Tokyo for several years now, but it still amazes me sometimes how the city can be such a contrast, one neighborhood to another, one place to another, sometimes even one block to another. Most people think of scenes like Shibuya crossing, with masses of people rushing around. That is true in some places, but the city has so much more as well. The city is a juxtaposition of old and new, crowded and empty, big and small. No matter how many times I go to Tokyo, I always find new places to explore and new things I didn’t realize were there. Sadly, I don’t get the chance to head into the city as much as I used to. Even so, here are some pictures I took around the city right about the time I picked up my first DSLR and started getting serious about photography. Enjoy.
Shoppers crossing the street at Harajuku station. Harajuku is a fascinating place, because on one side of the station is an often-crowded fashion district popular with young women.
On the other side of the station, however, is the Meiji Jingu, or Meiji shrine. This large shrine is dedicated to the Meiji Emperor of the late 19th and early 20th century who modernized Japan and has an even larger garden and forest complex. The forest area takes up eight square kilometers and includes a number of roads and walking paths like this.
At the far end of that particular road, at the back side of the forest complex, is this meadow, where Tokyoites enjoy picnicking in the spring and summer. The building in the center is the Meiji treasure museum, which houses artifacts from the Emperor’s life. The skyscrapers of Shinjuku can be seen beyond the treeline.
Train tracks near Shinagawa, a major train hub in southern Tokyo. I find it interesting how the mass of tracks actually create a large, empty space in the middle of the tall buildings of the city.
A modern shopping center in Asakusa, Tokyo Japan. The first floor also contains the entrance to the local subway line.
An old underground market in Asakusa. This underground shopping area is connected to the same subway station as the department store in the previous picture. There are several restaurants and bars down here, and a couple of retail shops as well. The low, unfinished ceiling and the fact that a couple of the shops were shut down stood in sharp contrast to the clean and new building above ground.
A pond in a park in Asakusa, Tokyo. If I remember right, this pond was originally part of the estate of one of the feudal lords, or daimyo, who were required to maintain a residence in the capital. When the feudal system was abolished, the daimyo was convinced to donate the land to the city for use as a park.
Old style outdoor izakaya, or taverns. Shops like this serve local beers and traditional Japanese drinking foods, usually grilled fish. The street here was mostly deserted, yet the touristy gift shops a block away were packed, as was the central temple.
One of the main buildings of Tennoji Temple in Yanaka ward, Tokyo. Yanaka is known for its large cemetery and numerous small temples. Tennoji was established in the year 1274. As with everything else though, there are large, modern apartment buildings looming in the background. Tennoji originally had a five story pagoda, but it no longer survives. The remains can be seen elsewhere in the cemetery.
A large Buddha on the grounds of Tennoji Temple. This statue was originally cast on 1690, though it was moved to its current base in the 1930s.
An old market in Yanaka ward, Tokyo. This market has a number of coffee shops and restaurants dispersed among traditional craft and sweets shops.
Before I moved here, I would never have believed that all of these pictures could have been taken in a single city, and I am sure there are still a lot more places I’ve yet to find. Tokyo really is a great place to explore. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend visiting. You won’t be disappointed.