Buying a book online is without a doubt convenient. Invariably there’s a much better selection too. But, if one picks the right shop, at the right time of day, the old fashioned way can be wonderfully appealing.

Buying a book online is without a doubt convenient. Invariably there’s a much better selection too. But, if one picks the right shop, at the right time of day, the old fashioned way can be wonderfully appealing.

In the Japanese capital’s on-going quest for the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo governor and chairman of the bid, Naoki Inose, sadly proved with his slight against Muslims that many attitudes in Japan are nowhere near as modern as the games Tokyo would like to host.
Thankfully, however, the city itself is. Sort of.

When it comes to part-time weekend or evening work, students generally have to change out of their uniforms and into something more suitable. In Tokyo’s infamous Kabukicho red light district, however, some establishments deem schoolgirl uniforms — if not necessarily the schoolgirls themselves — as very suitable.

Both for business, and their brand.

Seeing people passed out on Tokyo’s streets isn’t that unusual, but for them to be female, is. A factor that made the scene below rather surprising — particularly so as it was in the middle of the day and devoid of any of the debris usually associated with heavy drinking.
Yet what made the sight really striking was that it initially looked like the young woman in question was being given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Something that arguably wouldn’t have been all that unexpected considering her clearly unconscious state.
But that wasn’t the case. Instead, her companion was intently picking at her skin, utterly oblivious to me and his surroundings. Behaviour that made the whole situation all the more odd and unsettling.

Tokyo changes at a dizzying pace. Buildings frequently go up and down. Shops and businesses regularly swap hands. Plus fads come and go continuously. Festivals, on the other hand, fortunately don’t — proudly maintaining their traditions and strong community ties.

Events that have presumably altered very little over the years.

Something that can also be said about many of the participants. People who in one way or another have probably been involved since they were kids.


And with Japan’s legendary longevity, they’ll no doubt continue to be involved for many more years to come.

Tokyo Times is owned and run by me, Lee Chapman, a long-term resident of Tokyo who arrived in 1998 for ‘a year or two’, and, for a myriad of reasons, stayed put.
Japan means many things to many people, but Tokyo Times is how I see it. The places. The people. The day-to-day situations. All of it shot using a Leica, a Nikon and a selection of lenses.
My photographs have appeared in the Guardian and Japan Times, plus numerous magazines and books. Should you wish to use any, or simply ask a question, you can get in touch with me here.
Copyright © 2013 · Tokyo Times
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