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
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
