We cannot deny:
Tokyo is one of the apex cities for street photography in the world.
Me and Tokyo go wayyy back
I am eternally grateful to all my friends and guides from Tokyo (Charlie Kirk, Bellamy Hunt, Hiroaki, Michael Nguyen, Mijonju, etc) who have helped me early on in my street photography journey.
In Tokyo is where I got my feet first wet shooting film (Leica M6), then later the Leica MP (thanks to Bellamy for helping me source it).
Tokyo inspiration
Anyways, Tokyo is one of the apex spaces for street photography. Why?
- Strong printed book culture
- Lots of photo galleries
- Tons of Leica and film aficionados in Tokyo
- TONS of people in the streets (so many people to photograph)
- Tokyo as very different and ‘weird’ (in our western eyes).
What is it like shooting the streets of Tokyo?
Tokyo is great to shoot. Lots of tourists, so it is quite ‘easy’ to shoot street photography in Tokyo.
Furthermore, Tokyo is like the ultimate playground for street photography. So many diverse neighborhoods and places to shoot.
Also if you’re a foreigner, Japanese people are super duper friendly to you. Even if you’re an Asian-American tourist like myself.
Lots of diversity in Tokyo as well — in the shopping areas and the hipster areas.
Long story short, yes– go to Tokyo for street photography (at least once before you die!)
TOKYO STREET PHOTOGRAPHY by ERIC KIM
Shot mostly with Ricoh GR II, some Leica M9, some film Leica M6/MP (Tri-x 400 film pushed to 1600), some Portra 400, etc:
Tokyo, 2017 #ricohgrii. JPEG in positive film preset Dark Skies Over Tokyo, 2017 Tokyo, 2018 #cindyproject Tokyo, 2018 Tokyo, 2018. Still photo from MIS-STEP music video (Lumix G9) Tokyo, 2018 Tokyo, 2018 Still photo while recording Tokyo, 2018 Tokyo, 2018 #cindyproject Tokyo, 2018 #cindyproject. Shot with RICOH GR II and flash, in JPEG positive film preset, processed further with VSCO a6 Preset Tokyo, 2017 Tokyo, 2017 Tokyo, 2017 Tokyo, 2016 Woman at entrance of subway station. Tokyo, 2018 Simple background and composition. Hotel lobby. Getting close to woman with fan, to fill the frame. 24mm on Lumix G9 Man covering his mouth with a cloth and reading a book inside Cafe Veloce Coffee shop in Tokyo, 2018 Tokyo Dutch angle, 2018 Red selfie. Tokyo, 2017 Tokyo urban landscape, 2017 Japanese suit with hand on face. Tokyo. Tokyo, 2017 #cindyproject Tokyo, 2017 #cindyproject Dancing suits. Tokyo, 2017. Tilted camera, on the ground. Cindy with umbrella. Tokyo, 2017 ERIC KIM x RICOH GR II / Tokyo, 2017