Daughter and I have just arrived home from another flying visit to Tokyo. As I was only in town for a couple of weeks it was a very busy time squeezing as much into each day as I could, most days spent zipping from one side of the city to the other. That’s the way I like it though, Tokyo is a city in constant movement, it’s a place to stay busy and on the move, a roaring metropolis. But it’s also a place of fascination and beauty, filled with oases to dip into for much needed pauses.
Denentoshi Line to Shibuya
What I love about Tokyo is the contrast, on the one hand there’s the sense of being lost in the crushing urban wheels of the city (which in itself can be a very comforting feeling), and on the other there’s the discovery of gems: galleries, shops, cafes and other beacons of serenity and joy. It’s these details that make the difference, though the city is a turbulent machine, it’s filled with portals of tranquility.
Yamanote Line between Shinjuku and Ikebukuro
On this trip though a lot of my moments of calm were spent on the train, sketching away. From uptown Yamate to downtown Shitamachi, from fashionable Aoyama to suburban Yokohama, I traveled, and observed my fellow travellers. And here are some of them.
Chiyoda Line from Nezu to Meiji Jingumae
Inokashira Line from Kichijoji to Shibuya
Late night train, Denentoshi Line to Tama Plaza
Dozing highschool student. Morning train, Denentoshi Line to Shibuya