Tokyo & Beyond
Photography, travel and things worth knowing — from someone who's been living in Tokyo long enough to know where the good stuff is.
Asagaya: West Tokyo's Best Neighbourhood
Two stops west of Shinjuku on the Chuo line. Feels like a different city.
Akabane: The Izakaya Neighbourhood Nobody Told You About
Most visitors to Tokyo never make it to Akabane. That's their loss and, for now, your advantage.
The AE86 in the Rain: Shooting Japan's Most Legendary Car
I don't usually write about cars. The Toyota AE86 is an exception — found in the rain at a coin parking lot in west Tokyo, Shonan plate, pop-up headlights deployed.
ちいかわラーメン豚: The Chiikawa Ramen Restaurant in Ikebukuro That Actually Takes the Bowl Seriously
An IP collab ramen restaurant in a mall sounds like a reason to leave. It isn't. The theming is thorough, the ramen is Jiro-style and legitimate, and the kamaboko is looking up at you from the bowl with the character's exact expression.
Shibuya After Dark: What 900 Photos Taught Me
Shibuya has the most famous intersection in the world. It's also one of the easiest places to take a bad photo.
What a Shinjuku Night Photo Session Looks Like
Most people who book have never done a photo shoot before. Here's exactly what happens, from the moment we meet to the last frame of the night.
The Best Ramen in Tokyo: A Photographer's Guide
Tokyo has a ramen problem, which is that there's too much of it and almost none of it is bad. Here's what I've figured out after years of eating it at all hours.
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Shinjuku After Dark: A Photographer's Guide
Shinjuku is the most photographed neighbourhood in Tokyo — and still one of the most rewarding. Here's how to actually shoot it well.
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Tokyo's Hidden Bar Alleys: Alternatives to Golden Gai
Golden Gai is in every guidebook now. But Tokyo keeps its secrets well — here are the spots the tourists haven't found yet.
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Kyoto Without the Crowds: A Local's Guide to the Old Capital
Kyoto deserves its reputation. But if you spend your whole trip at the same five spots as everyone else, you're missing half of what makes it special.
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