Street Photography in Ikebukuro: A Love Affair (My First Time)
Ikebukuro A Love Affair (My First Time)
In the 2000s, I moved to Japan; my girlfriend, now wife, worked the opening shift at a coffee shop in Ikebukuro. Naturally, I went to Ikebukuro early every morning with her on the day's first train. She went to work, and so did I.
At the time, I was shooting on film. My initial black-and-white phase had slowed, and I was experimenting with colour film. In particular, I was shooting reversal film, often called slide film. This medium is known for high resolution, saturated colour, and minimal exposure latitude. When you needed the best qualities of film, this was your choice.
As street photographers, the moment rules. A little blur, soft focus, poor exposure, and too much grain can all be forgiven if the moment captured is an undiluted human experience. This philosophy makes the idea of shooting on a film that requires the utmost control and has the least forgiveness ridiculous. That is what I did. I shot for weeks like this, roll after roll. It was a great way to get to know my new home; we fell in love.
This love affair has spanned two and a half decades, and despite all of my other adventures, Ikebukuro is still very high on my list of places to shoot in Tokyo. The sentiment of being at home is undoubtedly present, but it's more than that. This is a special place; it has a vibe all its own. The best way to describe it is the feeling you get looking at OG street photographers' first trips to Japan. That's Ikebukuro.
It has an old city feeling that is simultaneously present in the future.
There are two very large areas, independent of each other, except they both attach directly to the station. Further afield, there is a mix of side streets and high-rises. The abundant opportunity for street photography in Ikebukuro is apparent as soon as you step off the train.
Plan to spend the day in Ikebukuro. I would go early on a sunny day to enjoy the changing light throughout the day. Commuters early in the day will photograph different later in the afternoon, as will tourists, shoppers and locals. It is a big place, not unlike Shinjuku or Shibuya. Plan to do a little walking and be open to the fantastic street photography experience in Ikebukuro.
Guided Tokyo Photo Tour
Jeff, a long-time Tokyo resident, is a well-regarded street photographer who leads photo workshops and classes and showcases his cherished city as a Tokyo tour guide. He has over 20 years of experience capturing these streets. The videos and images on this page showcase Jeff's original work, and he's excited to share the locations and tips for capturing stunning photos with everyone on this unique tour.
With Jeff, you will surely enjoy everything that Ikebukuro has to offer. A long-time Tokyo resident, he is a well-regarded street photographer who leads photo workshops and classes and showcases his cherished city as a Tokyo tour guide.
