As I type this, my living room is bathed in an other-worldy glow that can only come from a mid-afternoon storm. Raindrops are pattering against the window, and a coffee sits beside me, so now is as good a time as any to share some photos from the past few months. In recent years, the digital media landscape has changed dramatically: content creators now aspiring to churn out 30-second viral videos to capture the short attention span of the masses. It’s as if the very method of documenting our lives has become just as frantic as the world around us. It’s not really something I want to be part of, and so thank you for continuing to follow these quieter, simpler glimpses of my life here in Tokyo.
It’s with some sad news that I start this latest entry. Hotetsu, a little local legend in our neighbourhood, passed away recently. Despite being the grand old age of 15, he still loved his daily walks and barking at passers-by as he looked out the window. I miss seeing your scruffy face, and I hope you are enjoying doggy heaven, wee man. 
After ten years, I pretty much know the train system here like the back of my hand… 
But still love it when I see different colours popping up at random stations. 
The pink theme continuing at dusk in Sangenjaya… 
And at this random bar we spotted in Shinjuku 
Ramen cravings… 
As well as ochazuke – a simple dish where you pour hot stock or tea over rice. This one was topped with salmon. 
Clean lines on the train… 
And out on the streets of Omotesando 
An unbroken few weeks of sunny weather meant we could stroll around and read books in Shinjuku park. I like the contrast of this shot – a little girl in the shadow of Docomo Tower. 
While over in east Tokyo, we saw another towering giant. 
Gotta love those neighbourhood vibes. A retro storefront selling chicken down a side street… 
A cute little barber shop… 
And an unintentionally elegant tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant. Scenes like this sum up Tokyo for me. 
October was still very mild and so walking about at night was nice 
An early evening glow in Ebisu 
Plants lined up outside the post office 
And a friendly slice of bread hanging out outside a bakery! 
The neon glow of a convenience store at night 
A cheap, but healthy, meal of fish, rice, miso soup and pickles 
The skies over the last few months have been insanely blue… 
With lots of quiet streets to meander around 
Hidden alleyways… 
With lots of good produce to be found 
Japanese pears and apples have been in season 
The sun waves hello as the train chugs happily by 
You may not know, but autumn comes very late in Japan. Only now, towards the end of November, is it really noticeable. This will peak in December. 
Beautiful reds outside… 
And inside 🙂 
I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Thank you for following!
Justin / IKIMASHO
IKIMASHO! 