These images were taken on two visits to Tokyo but with more time have, in early 2024, been reconsidered. They represent the aspects of Tokyo life which reflect some of its contradictions. From the gentleness of its overcrowdedness, the resonance of the quiet voice in a population of forty million, to the serenity of the many urban areas spaces and the syncretic flamenco of the Shibuya Crossing. The first image is of the Prada Building in Aayoma, a contemporary, architectural wonder attended by the suitably trendy and, on this occasion, a pristine, yellow cabSpotless pavements and roads and a salaryman walking at pace across a bridge in central TokyoLeaving Tokyo StationAn enormous, sunlit government building and a small, darkened citizen in ShinjukuThe International ForumShibuya 1Crossing overA stairway at the International ForumIn frantic Shibuya the cars travel at 20mph and keep an even distance, whilst a lone cyclist pedals by unhindered.Towards the Conrad HotelShibuya 2Prada no 22 red chairs amidst light and shadeShibuya 3In another world at the Fish MarketOutstretched arms near the Government buildings at ShinjukuLooking upwardsNight cabTradition in GinzaArriving in OdaibaPrada 3The red Tokyo Tower stands out in the context of the surrounding late afternoon winter light.Heading home with a smileMercedes BenzWaiting for the train to ShimbashiA shopping centre by Tokyo StationAddressing a mask, an orange beam and a hurrying salaryman
Simon Allen is a street photographer, having traveled to New York, Rome, London, Manchester, Bologna, Naples and Melbourne, amongst many other major world cities, representing the real wonder of the urban environment through his photography.
