Spring Fashions

My fearless street photographer friend Kathleen Paulsson snapped these fine pics last week in and around Yoyogi, Omotesando and Harajuku -areas she aptly calls the city's fashion trifecta. Many of her shots were taken at the intersection of Omotesando dori and Meiji dori, a.k.a. "Omohara," site of the shiny new Tokyu mall with the rooftop Starbucks and arguably one of the best corners for people watching in all of Tokyo. Thanks for sharing Kathleen! And keep 'em coming.
Click to enlarge...

All Photos by Kathleen Paulsson

what I will miss most, part 2

Continuing with my Top Ten list...

9. STREET FASHION
One of the greatest shopping streets for people watching is Center Gai in Udagawacho, which runs behind the big Starbucks at the Scramble crossing in Shibuya. Some might say Takeshita dori between the Harajuku JR station and Meiji dori takes the prize for most far-out-and-funky, and I'd agree, but it wasn't my favorite; that narrow byway gets way too packed on a nice sunny day, and you can feel trapped, squashed right up against the very individuals you are secretly trying to photograph with your camera phone. Center Gai has wider streets, and I found that it attracts fewer Goth Lolitas and other Look-Book types, and more of your regular stylish youth.

Here are some of my favorite pics, many of which I snapped while standing on a Center Gai street corner, plus some others I took while wandering around other neighborhoods - because it seemed no matter where I happened to be, chances were better than good that I'd spot someone worth photo stalking - one of the many reasons I will miss living in Tokyo so much.

Center Gai

Center Gai

 Jingumae

Tokyo metro

 Yoyogi park

 Sangenjaya

 Ebisu

Harajuku

 Ryogoku

 Harajuku

 

Center Gai

Center Gai

 Harajuku

Shibuya crossing, Coming of Age day

  Kabukicho, Shinjuku

 Kinshicho

 

Yoyogi park

Harajuku

Shibuya

 Center Gai

 Tokyo Disney Sea

 Shinjuku

 Shinjuku

 Meguro

 Roppongi

Ebisu

Aoyama dori near Omotesando

Shibuya station, Hachiko exit

 06 bus from Shibuya to Azabu Juban

 Dogenzaka

 Nakameguro

 Harajuku

Roppongi

Jingumae boot sale 

That one above was taken on one of those rare occasions where I asked permission first - and maybe the only time I put myself in the picture. And now for my all-time favorite photo of my Dad, taken one fine day in April 2008 near the southeast entrance to the Meiji shrine, a hot tourist spot where you're more likely to find people dressed as anime characters. This girl's get up is on the tame side.

Harajuku

street fashion

Fancy footwear, frilly socks and more, spotted around town in recent weeks:

Saved the best for last (thanks for this one, Terry!)