Tokyo Snapshots (Part one)

J-Stories presents a special end-of-year programme of photo stories that capture Tokyo (and the Tokyo region) as it is today, through the eyes of a diverse range of photographers.

J-Stories staff from a variety of backgrounds found and photographed things in the streets of the city that were somehow uniquely Japanese or had innovative ideas, ranging from things that have existed in Japan for a long time to things that only exist now, in December 2024. It may be in these everyday scenes that ideas for innovations originating in Japan that lead to solutions to global problems are born.

Alcohol sanitizer in front of a restaurant menu in Kamiyacho. Hygiene measures like this have been a priority since Covid. While not mandatory, there are still many businesses offering hand sanitizer to the public.

Shrine near Azabudai Hills. There are many such shrines across Tokyo, and they are peaceful pockets in the middle of the city. However, we can still see a glimpse of one of the city’s towers through the Tori arch.

A non-smoking sign on the street near a row of vending machines. This tends to be a typical locale for smokers to take a break and have a beverage.

"Sample food" in Japan. Replica food outside of a store is used to display the menu. That katsudon in the middle of being plated from the pan feels particularly lively.

An "ukon" drink vending machine. This is a famous Japanese supplement drink known to help with hangover effects if used before (better) or after drinking alcohol. This vending machine is conveniently set near many izakayas. This picture is taken during “bonenkai” season, or end of the year drinking parties. People must be ready to recover as there may be yet another bonenkai to attend the next day! The name of the brand is “Sake King". I feel this may inspire people to keep drinking and buy more ukon!

Automatic beer server. Is this a positive technology or sign of staff shortages these days? In any case, it pours a beer perfectly with just the right amount of foam!

I chose the “Yorunoyo” 2024 event because I was deeply impressed by the atmosphere and the variety of light shows. 

Accompanied by a masterful blend of music and sound effects, the colors, patterns, and shapes seamlessly alternate in a captivating choreography, creating an extraordinarily immersive experience for the audience. I particularly appreciated the interactive aspect, which allowed families and children to enjoy engaging with the light effects and spend quality time together. 

A highlight of the event was the majestic blue whale that gracefully "swims" across the entire platform area of the Minato Mirai ship terminal, adding a magical touch to the overall experience.

People are free to move across every area of the platform, where a series of colorful holograms are projected. This captures the moment of anticipation before the main show begins, featuring music and moving image.

Here is the main part of the show: life-sized blue whales swimming across the surrounding space of the platform. It’s beautiful to see how people and children interact freely with the impressive animation.

This shot captures the vastness of the area involved in the light show. The architectural design of the platform, combined with the segmented arrangement of colors, makes the overall image feel like a dream.

Adding to the beauty of the show is the backdrop crowned by the stunningly illuminated buildings of Yokohama’s coastal area, Minato Mirai.

Equally impressive is the light show at Yamashita Park, featuring curious shapes reminiscent of spacecraft, alternating colors and geometric forms in sync with music, creating an engaging and interactive atmosphere.

Gashapon, Gasha-gasha, and Gacha are just a few of the affectionate nicknames for small “capsule toy” vending machines in Japan. Originally invented in the United States in 1965, capsule toys have flourished since making their way to Japan, and have now become a very popular part of the country’s vending machine culture!  About 40 to 60 new products are released every month, totaling over 600 new items offered in these machines annually! These toys are enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults

I used to play with Gacha when I was little, but I was surprised by how much more diverse the toy options have become today!  This is why I chose to introduce it as a distinctive Japanese toy.

Food replica models, originally invented in Japan, represent a unique form of sustainability. Rather than using real food for display, these models are crafted from non-edible materials like wax (originally) and now resin.  This allows restaurants to showcase their dishes realistically without wasting any actual food. This approach involves creating incredibly lifelike replicas that often look even more authentic than the real thing, highlighting the craftsmanship and delicate artistry that are distinctly Japanese.

I was captivated by the variety of delicious looking crepes on display at a local cafe, so I took a photo of them.

Since 2019, Station Booths, remote-style coworking spaces, have been set up in transit stations and other locales across Japan, with over 460 locations nationwide. One of the locations in Shinanomachi, offers a private booth that can be reserved in advance. Designed to allow people to work during short breaks or while waiting for a train, this concept aligns with Japan’s flexible work style reforms. Today, these spaces are available in train stations, at Haneda Airport, and a variety of other locations.

I snapped a photo of a Station Booth as it is unique to Japan in how reliable, comfortable, and convenient these spaces are. I believe this kind of service enabling producivity from anywhere is very much in line with Japan’s cultural values.

Japanese women can be seen buying ramen tickets in the business district of Kamiyacho, where long lines form during lunchtime. In Japan, there is a system where customers purchase tickets with their food selection from a machine prior to seating, which helps to speed up turnover. This system is often used in restaurants with minimal staff, or popular restaurants.  It allows the staff to focus solely on cooking, as tasks like taking orders or handling payments are eliminated.

The famous ramen shop Tenraiken in Kamiyacho, produced by a well-known Japanese rock musician, is a delicious spot where you can enjoy a meal for as little as 500 yen.

In Japan, it is traditional to visit shrines on the first days of the New Year, known as Hatsumode. Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu, Tokyo, is an ancient shrine dedicated to a guardian deity. Each year, the shrine grounds are decorated with lanterns, and numerous food stalls are set up along the paths for visitors. The atmosphere takes on a lively, festive vibe as people celebrate the start of the year. 

A nice moment here, I captured a photo of the bustling shrine staff preparing the grounds for these traditional New Year’s celebrations.

In many cases, buildings have to be demolished to make room for newer structures and city development. However, in Tokyo, you can still find old places like shrines nestled amidst modernity. Despite the city's growth, these historic sites remain integral parts of the urban landscape. One such example is the Kotohiragu Shrine, located in the heart of Tokyo. It appears to be squeezed between towering buildings, but in fact, the wooden shrine has stood there long before the surrounding concrete structures.

The image displays a construction site. On the left side, it shows the noise and vibration levels in decibels (dB), and on the right side, there's an apology for the noise. This is a perfect example of the Japanese concept of "Meiwaku," which emphasizes not being a nuisance or burden to others.

A street sign that warns people about a construction site ahead and redirects pedestrians not only visually with an LED screen on a robot-like helmet, but also acoustically with audio. 

Written by J-Stories 

Top video: J-Stories (Giulia Righi)

For inquiries regarding this article, please contact jstories@pacificbridge.jp

Click here for the Japanese version of the article.