You step off the main road and find this place — a battered ramen shop squeezed between concrete walls. The yellowed menu, printed in big red numbers, screams cheap prices: 650 yen, 750 yen, no-frills. A cartoon pig clutches a bowl of noodles on the glass door, half peeled from the sun. Inside, the world…
Tokyo has a surprising number of canals, a legacy from when it was known as Edo. The city’s network of rivers, canals, and moats supported commerce, transport, and defense. Today, many of these waterways still exist, though their roles have shifted. Central Tokyo’s Nihonbashi area preserves some of the oldest canals, once the beating heart…
Old American pinball machines have a kind of gritty charm that mixes mechanical clatter with bright, unapologetic style. They’re loud—buzzers, bells, and the solid thunk of a steel ball smacking a bumper. Unlike today’s digital games, there’s nothing soft or polite about them. They’re all muscle: spring-loaded plungers, flashing lights, hand-painted artwork of cowboys, space…
Taishakuten, formally known as Shibamata Taishakuten Daikyō-ji (柴又帝釈天題経寺), is a Buddhist temple in Tokyo’s Katsushika ward. It’s dedicated to Taishakuten (帝釈天), the Japanese name for Śakra (or Indra), a deity often seen as a guardian figure in Buddhist cosmology. The temple has been an anchor of the Shibamata (柴又) neighborhood since 1629 and is known for its distinct mix…
Tora-san, the star of Otoko wa Tsurai yo (“It’s Tough Being a Man”), is a beloved figure in Japanese cinema and culture — a sentimental drifter with a big heart, a bigger mouth, and an uncanny knack for falling in love with women who are always, tragically, just out of reach. Played by actor Kiyoshi Atsumi, Tora-san…
Just wanted to share some shots for anyone wondering how the Summilux 50mm “Classic” handles bokeh. Everything’s shot wide open. Honestly, I was a bit worried it might be too busy in the background — but nope, it’s beautifully smooth. I’m loving the way it renders.
Shooting hanami in Tokyo with the Summilux 50mm Classic is like stepping into a memory as it’s being made. There’s something poetic about pairing this particular lens with cherry blossom season—a combination of fleeting beauty and nostalgic rendering that makes every frame feel like it belongs in an old photo album tucked away in a…
This photo beautifully captures a quiet moment in a Tokyo neighborhood—a glimpse into everyday life that often goes unnoticed. In the foreground, crates of fresh cabbage and other vegetables are stacked neatly outside a tiny local shop. The prices are handwritten on cardboard signs, humble and straightforward, signaling that this isn’t a flashy supermarket—it’s the…
This candid, beautifully composed photo captures a slice-of-life moment aboard a Japanese train. The image buzzes with everyday energy—commuters are absorbed in their own little worlds, from the guy multitasking with a baby in his lap and a phone in his hand, to the woman in the red knit sweater who steals the spotlight. She…
Shooting the Summilux 50mm Classic wide open (at f/1.4) while driving is a mix of chaos, control, and chasing light. But wide open on a bright day, it’s actually not that hard—just focus approximately and shoot. The Summilux 50mm Classic at f/1.4 gives you that signature look, but when the light’s blasting, even wide open,…
