Tokyo is often a mesmerising mishmash of contrasts, and in many respects the man below is the complete embodiment of that. Plus he totally and utterly blows away the popular notion of Japanese conformity.

Tokyo is often a mesmerising mishmash of contrasts, and in many respects the man below is the complete embodiment of that. Plus he totally and utterly blows away the popular notion of Japanese conformity.

Tokyo has a wonderful habit of throwing up surprises, an aspect that makes the city even more of a joy to walk around. And the scene below was one such instance. As men clad in silver suits sporting fluffy adornments are not, at least in my neighbourhood, commonly found by loading bays. Or at all for that matter.

Oh, and a rather snazzy little jacket too.

It’s very easy to say that you never know what’s round the next corner in Tokyo, but the city does have a habit of producing genuine surprises. On an impressively regular basis too. And this young woman. Somewhat elaborately dressed for a dirty old alley. Was certainly one of them.

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.
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