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Tokyo night photography: Shinjuku walk, Japan after dark.

sanrio sweater, hello kitty clothes

Shh. Even though I live for exploring new countries (Israel and Jordan right now!), it’s no secret that I miss Tokyo whenever I’m away.

I was in Japan around Christmas-time, which gave me an opportunity to take photos with light displays. Enjoy these street shots of Shinjuku after dark.

alphonse mucha innocent world tights, art nouveau stockings

In Tokyo, I’m one of the tallest people around…

Hello Kitty and friends sweater: from last year’s Forever 21 x Sanrio collaboration
Short plaid purple skirt: Peace Now, from Closet Child
Blue fuzzy animal purse: Mercibeaucoup, bought at Shinjuku Marui Annex
Art Nouveau print tights: Innocent World x Alphonse Mucha

neon purple escalator lights

First Mate fixer Naomi took these cool purple effect photos by shooting between the escalator rail. Using a prime lens on a DSLR, you can achieve nifty effects like this.

tokyo night photography, bokeh

The background blurs out, and the little Xmas bulbs turn into “bokeh”, or glowing balls of light.

shinjuku station west exit

This little hallway of lights is located by the West Exit of Shinjuku Station (near My Lord department store). There’s an Anna Sui store and a Ne-Net boutique in this area.

shinjuku my lord, japanese shopping center

I rode the escalator at least three times for the sake of taking outfit photos!

christmas lights japan displays

In the center, there were three trees covered in lights. Naomi shot through glass for this reflected image.

shibuya girls makeup, false eyelashes

Lost in a Japanese winter wonderland.

tokyo traffic officer

Since I know you enjoy seeing Tokyo city life, I went on a long stroll through Shinjuku with my camera, and captured the night-time action. Here, a traffic guard in a helmet whistles and waves his… light saber?

japan drink vending machine

A man in a cap is silhouetted in front of a drink vending machine. In busy areas like Shinjuku, there are literally vending machines every few meters.

yuzu juice, drink

My favorite drink is not usually found in machines, but at convenience stores like 7-Eleven. It’s yuzu, of course (the Japanese tangy citrus). This little “pet” bottle is hot, sold near the check-out counter.

japanese ska band, brass orchestra

Near the entrance of Shinjuku Station East Exit, a ska band gave a free performance. The lead saxophonist twirled and jumped around. This concert was actually part of a vitamin brand promotion, perhaps explaining their manic energy.

tokyo buildings, shinjuku signs

An anime-cyborg girl overlooks the business commuters.

shinjuku streets nighttime photography

Shinjuku is filled with little narrow streets, lit up with neon signs. Many of these advertise restaurants and bars.

japan anime neon billboard

Flashing billboards with anime characters are a common sight.

japanese tiger tattoo design

The eye-catching designs are so varied. A Japanese-style tiger leaps at a butterfly.

0101 marui one shinjuku

Shinjuku Doori is one of the main streets, and leads to the various 0101 department stores. (For a peek at the street style boutiques found inside, see my post about Marui Annex.)

japanese girls posing for photos

How have you be dressing up this winter? Would you wear a Sanrio sweater like this?

bokeh lights effect

Close-up on my Chococat sleeve. He’s one of my favorite characters.

pulling focus bokeh

Naomi holds up a Jrock / Visual Kei flyer, to demonstrate how we “pull focus” with the camera lens. By focusing on something in the foreground, the background blurs out with this cool dotted effect.

japanese girl, vending machines

I leave you with a Japanese girl buying a drink from a vending machine.

Are you enjoying these mood photos? Do you take late-night city walks like I do?

SHARE & COMMENT

30 Comments

  1. MelissaR
    Posted January 25, 2014 at 11:56 pm | Permalink

    Wow! Really COOL escalator photos! And I love your hat! <3

  2. Jill
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 12:31 am | Permalink

    Beautiful photos, nighttime is best

  3. Greta
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 12:31 am | Permalink

    AMAZE

  4. Diana
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 4:03 am | Permalink

    I
    can see where you get your good looks from, Basil. Your mommy is a
    beautiful person and I wish that I looked like her instead of me.

  5. Arma
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 4:09 am | Permalink

    Greetings from Serbia La Carmina!

  6. Marko
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 4:09 am | Permalink

    you are so pretty
    greetings

  7. Jovan
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 4:09 am | Permalink

    xo

  8. David
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 3:05 pm | Permalink

    Just saw you on bizarre foods

  9. wendy
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 3:05 pm | Permalink

    Xooxoxoxo

  10. Cy
    Posted January 26, 2014 at 3:06 pm | Permalink

    Lolling around a city is also one of my favorite things to do

  11. Rocky
    Posted January 27, 2014 at 8:24 pm | Permalink

    Is beautiful. Great work :-)

  12. benny
    Posted January 28, 2014 at 6:44 am | Permalink

    super cooooool photography!

  13. ren
    Posted January 28, 2014 at 6:45 am | Permalink

    i love japan

  14. amanda_chen
    Posted January 28, 2014 at 7:48 am | Permalink

    I love the cop’s baton. I bet it makes cute noises when he’s beating up passersby.

  15. John
    Posted January 28, 2014 at 2:19 pm | Permalink

    Pretty pics

  16. Ben
    Posted January 28, 2014 at 2:19 pm | Permalink

    Good To meet you today, welcome to israel

  17. Ursula
    Posted January 29, 2014 at 10:05 pm | Permalink

    Miss tokyo at Christmas time.

  18. Jill
    Posted January 30, 2014 at 5:17 am | Permalink

    this is a really good post, I like the mood there

  19. Taka
    Posted January 30, 2014 at 5:17 am | Permalink

    When you next in Japan?

  20. Greta n
    Posted January 30, 2014 at 5:18 am | Permalink

    hey girl, I tried Yuzu drink because I see you always recommend it, it is as good as u say

  21. Jodi
    Posted January 30, 2014 at 5:18 am | Permalink

    Are you going to be in Japan again in December?

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