Photo essay: Summertime in Tokyo pictured in film

Few places spark wanderlust quite like Tokyo – with the mouthwatering food at its bustling izakayas, the inimitable sartorial flair of its dwellers, its fascinating districts and its centuries-old history. Whatever your fancy, one thing’s for certain: this dizzying metropolis has an endless slew of experiences to offer the wandering and the curious.

Until an actual trip here is possible, relive the vibe of the city with this photo essay by our Senior Photo Editor, Aaron Low (@aarnlow). “This was my first-ever trip to Japan and it was an eye-opener in every sense, from (Tokyo’s) arts and culture to its urban design,” shares Aaron, who shot these photos using a 35mm film camera on a trip taken pre-pandemic. Take a scroll through memory lane; all of Tokyo’s quintessential sights, from its Instagram-famous street cat to the iconic Tokyo Tower, await.

Every Sunday, Chuo Dori, the main street that runs through the Akihabara District, is closed to traffic allowing pedestrians to walk and roam freely.

Two diners chatting over a drink at Mori Building with a breathtaking panorama of Tokyo's skyline for a view.

An impromptu visit to Roppongi’s Mori Art Museum – swing by on a weekday to enjoy the exhibits sans the crowds.

Tokyo's Shinjuku Tiger has been a fixture in the district since the '70s. Dressed in striking clothing with his signature tiger mask on, he's hard to miss. He was even the subject of a documentary feature released last year.

Have you met Tokyo’s celebrity cat? Dubbed the Miyuki Dori Cat, you’ll find this Instagram-famous feline on its namesake street in Ginza.

A monk wearing his traditional garb, a distinctive look in modern Tokyo.

The elderly Tokyoites are a sartorial bunch. “I photographed (him) while making my way to a train station," shares Aaron.

A moment captured on an otherwise ordinary Subway commute. "As I was waiting for the train to get to another station, I noticed a man and a woman standing in a train carriage when it came to a stop. They seem to be complete strangers but were looking towards each other. You can’t really tell their expressions but it almost felt like a scene from a movie," Aaron describes.

On Sundays, a rockabilly dance group gathers at the Harajuku entrance of Yoyogi Park and jams out to 1950s rock and roll tunes.

A line forming outside Tokyo's Meiji Shrine.

Shinto weddings are a common sight at the Meiji Shrine.

Odaiba, a popular retail and entertainment hub in Tokyo, home to amusement parks and yes, a replica of The Statue of Liberty.

The impressive Tokyo Tower illuminated at night.

The post Photo essay: Summertime in Tokyo pictured in film appeared first on Going Places by Malaysia Airlines.

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Photo essay: Summertime in Tokyo pictured in film

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