Half-way into 2022, and it seems like the cloud of COVID is slowly starting to lift around the world. Japan’s entry restrictions are still very strict, but it’s obvious from my social media feed that a lot more people are travelling in general. I feel lucky that I was based here during the pandemic – somewhere I love to be anyway. But it’s also nice to think that travelling abroad has now become an actual possibility again. In recent months, my mind has become excited by the thought of eating pho in Vietnam, cycling through the Thai countryside, and listening to the waves in Bali. Not to mention seeing friends and family back home in Northern Ireland. It almost feels weird and surreal to be contemplating doing the things I once took for granted.
2022 has been a ‘foundation’ year for me – something that happens every 3-4 years in my life where I shake things up a bit and lay the groundwork for the next few years to come. I got my Japanese Permanent Residency, and I am currently in the process of transferring jobs into one that will give me more vacation. This will give me a bit more freedom at various points throughout the year – something I feel that has come at the right time, with the world opening up again.
Despite its size, Tokyo continues to have a calming effect on me – its smaller neighbourhoods affording me the peace and quiet that I seem to crave the older I get. I’ve lived here for ten years now, yet still don’t get bored taking pictures of the daily things I see. I hope you continue to enjoy looking at them, too.
Justin / IKIMASHO
May started off with a random walk around Shiinamachi. We had been before, but the vibe is great to just wander and get lost. 
Grabbing a second breakfast at a cheap udon shop on the street. You don’t actually see too many of these standing food bars, but when you do they are usually near a station. 
From noodle bars to Michelin stars…
I was very lucky recently to have eaten in a few One-Star Michelin restaurants – this one, Simplicité in Daikanyama, has fast become a new favourite.
We also ate at abysse, again in the Daikanyama area. Dining in places like this is a special treat we do a few times a year. 
As usual, we enjoyed wandering the backstreets of random neighbourhoods 
Beer bottles were stacked up here… 
While cushions were were stacked up here. 
Decent Jamaican jerk chicken! It had the tang that is so often missing. 
Colours on the street – some handmade… 
And others made by nature. 
With unusually high temperatures, we headed down to Atami to stay the night, a seaside city on Japan’s Izu Peninsula. The covered shopping streets running away from the station had nice charm. 
Squid and other fish drying in the sun 
Atami alleyways 
My wife loves manhole covers! Sometimes we will be walking and then suddenly she’s not there – instead about 100m behind talking pictures of her feet with them 🙂 
This one was elaborate, decorated with fireworks. 
Cute awnings 
And a cute little fruit warehouse 
I liked the design and text on this ridiculous umbrella holder 
While Mrs. IKIMASHO became obsessed with this Atami Pudding dessert – its mascot being a cute hippo. 
We really liked Atami. It had a nice mix of old-school charm, and sunshine by the beach. 
Colorful signage 
Walking along the promenade 
The quiet beach beside where we were staying 
Walking under bougainvillea flowers in Atami 
One restaurant we went to gave us dried fish to nibble on before our meal. It was delicious and so I bought a bag – however, it’s starting to stink out my kitchen cupboard here at home! 
A typical lunch in Atami – fried mackerel in breadcrumbs at the top, while the bottom dish is raw mackerel with a raw eg that you mush all together. 
The fish theme continued back in Tokyo with temarizushi – round balls of sushi rice topped decoratively with ingredients like sashimi, vegetables, and fish roe. 
Fresh sashimi 
And random sushi 
We are rarely in the Akihabara neighbourhood but passed through it on my way to get a new guitar 
Moody vibes in Kanda 
Tokyo looking like a model train set 
Looking back, May was busier than i thought! We saw (and ate) a lot…
I hope you enjoy these slices of daily life in Tokyo- thank you for always following 🍃
IKIMASHO! 
I am beginning to wonder if I will ever visit Tokyo after my scheduled visit in May 2020 was cancelled because of covid 19. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.
Thanks for sharing your experience and photos.
Loved all your pics!!!!
I love the manhole covers too! Took plenty of photos of them when we visited Japan in 2017. Maybe we’ll make it back next year…
Such beautiful manhole covers! I don’t blame your wife one bit. And the food looks great too.