Akira

When I exited the Uniqlo in Shibuya this morning, there was this large wall surrounding several blocks under construction. Instead of the usual advertising and construction company propaganda,Katsuhiro Otomo’s Shōtarō Kaneda and his bike from the manga and anime Akira greeted me.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/500 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/60sec.

Shibuya Evening Lights... One More from October 2016

Here's one more from my walk through Shibuya of the famous crossing or scramble. As I've said before, I really don't like Shibuya, but it's easy to take a pretty picture there.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 800, 1/320 sec.

Shibuya Evening Lights

Although I am not one that enjoys Shibuya at least, not in the normal sense... I dislike the chaotic energy and the crowds that bring that energy. (Although Japan hosts the most civil and Disney version of large crowds.) I do enjoy the lights and people watching, and those reasons, and the close proximity to my residence bring me back to Shibuya fairly often.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 400, 1/25 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f4.0, ISO 400, 1/60 sec.

281_Anti nuke spotted in Harajuku

During the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Harajuku this year, I spotted another new piece of protest street art from 281_Anti nuke along Omotesando in Harajuku. In light of the recent news of the drone landing on the Prime Minister's office, this protest art is even more important. Hopefully, it does more to raise awareness, spark dialog and constructive discussion of a important issues.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f4.0, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

New Street Art from 281_Anti nuke

In January, I spotted new street art from 281_Anti nuke near the Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Crossing.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/1600 sec.

Winter Hats

Last August 2013, I took a walk through Shibuya and took many photos of people in hats and blogged about it in a post titled, Thinking about hats.... Seems that I am experiencing a sort of artistic déjà vu and shot more people in hats in Shibuya with the same trusty 30-year old 85mm f/1.4 AI-S Nikkor.

However, these samples were not of the straw variety favored in the summer, but were suited for a Tokyo winter although the fashion inspiration had to cross the pacific from the American west. Seems that the original hat of the West, the “Boss of the Plains” is admired for its fashion sense and practicality in the land of the rising sun.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S @ f2.8, ISO 100, 1/80 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 85mm f/1.4 AI-S f4.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Even more from the Invader!

Here are two more of the street artist known as the Invader. The first was taken the same day that time I took photos of his Atom Boy piece in Shibuya and the second one was taken on Thanksgiving Day near Nishi-Azabu crossing.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/400 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/50 sec.

More Invaders in Shibuya!

I was walking around north of Shibuya Station on a beautiful Saturday morning waiting for my son to finish his Aikido lesson, and came across more work from the street artist known as the Invader. This wasn't the first time I had see this particular work, but it was the first time I had my Nikon with me.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/30 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.5, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Street Art and a Strange Sign

I was wandering between Shibuya and Meijijingumae Station along Meiji Dori and found this unusual skull stuck on a pedestrian overpass. The overpass was covered mostly with graffiti but this little guy was the most interesting thing. I don't know if whether this is graffiti, a 3-D sticker, or something else, but it definitely is a form of street art or sculpture.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/250 sec.

I also wandered by this store with an unusual name, 'Guerilla The Incubation Period'. It's the flagship store of the Tokyo fashion brand, WTAPS, but the name seems out of place just like a skull stuck on an overpass. Anyway, the WTAPS website says that their concept is "placing things where they should be." Hmmm... I liked the design of the exterior of the shop, but couldn't see their merchandise. So perhaps their clothes did not belong on me?

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f4.0, ISO 200, 1/15 sec.

Free Smoking Space

There's not much to tell about this photo. This is a public smoking room located in Shibuya just a short distance from the Freak's Store.

The concept of a "Free Smoking Space" seems strange to me anyway. I never fully understood smoking. It always seemed like a smelly, expensive and unhealthy habit. I did get a nicotine rush once by just having a cigar in my mouth. Apparently, the nicotine transferred into my bloodstream on contact with my lips. Although it was interesting and not unpleasant, I did not feel a desire to repeat this behavior.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 24 mm, f4.0, ISO 200, 1/15 sec.

Freak's Store

I wasn't sure were to find a "Freak" before, but it seems that the Freak's Store in Shibuya. A quick look through the store window and it appears that Freak is quite ordinary (not at all "Freaky") and sells dapper clothes in the style of Gap, Uniqlo, J. Crew, Ralph Lauren or Lacoste.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 18 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/25 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 30 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/25 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM @ 31 mm, f5.6, ISO 200, 1/25 sec.