Tokyo continually throws up contrasts — perhaps none more so than a traditional festival played out against a backdrop of urban modernity.
Yet an equally modern backside surrounded by customary festival clothing, is arguably even more arresting.

Tokyo continually throws up contrasts — perhaps none more so than a traditional festival played out against a backdrop of urban modernity.
Yet an equally modern backside surrounded by customary festival clothing, is arguably even more arresting.

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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I’m wondering if you noticed this before or after you had taken the photo….actually don’t answer that.
No, I don’t think I need to!
Cool!!
She is conspicuous by her dressing among them.
She certainly is!
Is this a girl, Lee. Matt, don’t celebrate too early, mate! There IS something suspicious
Yeah. Well, pretty sure anyway. To be honest, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that she may be a he. What makes you think that?
The hair, I guess, and maybe the legs… but wait, now looking at the cellulite – it doesn’t look like a lady boy.
The more I know about Japan, the less I understand
Great shot, and that’s a girl alright!
Cheers! Yes, to claim you understand Japan, invariably means you don’t…
Arrugh! And here I thought only plumbers in the U.S. showed their butt cracks/ thongs, undies. No prude am I, but she certainly does not set the heart to beating faster
A new craze, plumber chic?
The dangers of texting – trouser sag AND accidentally ending up with the wrong crowd!
Haha! Let that be a warning to us all!
I wonder if she knew she was showing?
Pretty sure she knew.
I second that, I’ve seen the same fashion of short shorts, thong and handbag in Tokyo this summer, I guess it is more a lifestyle statement than a fashion statement though. Ganguro/yamamba is out, this might be the replacement
Undies getting smaller and smaller! proof that global warming is real!
That’s a theory I’ve never heard before, but one I dare say a lot of people could get behind!
For whatever reason (because they tend to be so skinny I guess), I thought that Japanese girls didn’t have cellulite so it’s quite a surprise to see that they do have that problem too!
I’ve been coming to Japan for the last 18 years or so and I have the district impression that the big macs and milkshakes are also taking hold in Japan. No obesity problem yet, but give it time
Yes, there has been a big change in diet, and imported fast food is certainly one of those changes. The healthier aspects of the Japanese diet will probably help Japan avoiding the obesity levels of many western countries, but it’s obviously going to have an effect on a good number of the population in the coming years.
We lived up the hill. Up-the-hill kids were a lot slimmer than those that lived down the hill.. Due to the up-the-hill kids having to walk the 3 km up and down the hill every day to get to school…and their non-proximity to the Konbini. There are obesity probs in Japan. Just not yet nearly as striking as the people of Walmart… Let’s hope it never gets to that.
I’m so torn! Part of me wants to high-5 her for going against the grain… and part of me wants to run up and tie a sweater around her waist!
Haha! Se seemed quite happy in herself, so you may as well stick with the high 5!