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Japan at Night

A visual journey through Tokyo and Hiroshima

By Dave Krugman

March 6^th, 2019

Tokyo from the Sky

The city lay below, it's glow spreading into the distance, lights shining like a handful of colored jewels scattered across the surface of a frozen pond. I had imagined what Tokyo would look like, had even seen it in some deeper dreams, but any expectations I had held were shattered by the technicolor reality that spread to the edges of my vision. Canyons cut across the cityscape, illuminated, glowing- as natural as the phosphorescence of algae on a shoreline, as artificial as the rigid construction of a circuit board. Up here we were alone. Below us was a sea of life, that ebbed with time like tides that fill the inlets, when the moon pulls the water into the small pools where life itself began. I'm not sure if I'll ever forget the feeling of seeing this perspective, though I suspect someday I will. Though if I do, I write these words to bring me back, and make these images to remind me of that rare feeling- they will combine as a catalyst for cascade of fading memories.

The Samurai Museum

Japan used to be ruled by a class of warriors known as the Samurai, who stuck to a strict code of conduct and dressed themselves in intricate and beautiful armor. It was amazing to see these original pieces, to see the exquisite craftsmanship that went in to their construction, and to imagine the storied history behind each suit of armor.

Lost in Translation

If the views from Park Hyatt look familiar to you, it might be due to a famous scene in Lost in Translation. Walking into the New York Bar on the top floor of the hotel, I can see why they filmed here. Panoramic, 360 degree views of Tokyo stretch from floor to ceiling on every side of the room. We kicked back to relax by the window with a Japanese whiskey, and I set up my camera by the window and made some long exposures of the cityscapes below.

Color and lights in Odaiba

Odaiba is a man-made island, full of interesting architecture, art installations, and colorful lights. We wandered around the spaces, taking it all in, before heading back to the main city.

Itsukushima Shrine on the Island of Miyajima

After a quick bullet train ride south to Hiroshima, we took a ferry across the bay to Miyajima. From the water, Itsukushima Shrine sits tucked under a towering mountain landscape, with rich greens climbing their way to the rocky peaks. The shrine itself is a beautiful bright orange, popping out against the water and forest behind. We entered the shrine and explored the surrounding areas, wandering the back alleys and ducking into small shops. Once the sun went down, we headed out on a boat to ride the high tide through the torri gate towards the shrine. It was a moving experience to be here in a place that has been considered sacred for centuries.

Japanese Gardens

Later, in Hiroshima, we took a relaxing walk through a Japanese garden. I've always been enamored with these places, by their careful, deliberate construction, and the meticulous care that is required to keep them picture perfect. It's a walking meditation on nature, with symbolism woven into every corner. We left feeling connected with nature, spirits uplifted.

The City of Hiroshima

The city here is expansive, and as I explored and considered the history of this place, my heart grew heavy thinking of the destruction and damage that was done here. It's almost unfathomable to imagine what had happened in this city... the Atomic Bomb Dome memorial is a stark reminder of this. I hope that our future never leads us to consider using such destructive weapons again. Despite that history, this city is rich and vibrant, full of life and light. I would love to return someday and explore even more.

Streets by Night

The streets of Tokyo are a photographers dream. The colors, the characters, the signage and lettering- every way I turned was a shot from a movie. I could spend years here exploring these low lit back alleys, these vibrating neons, these rain soaked umbrellas and briefcase toting salary men. Tokyo is vast, and I feel like I only saw a tiny fraction of what this place has to offer.

Watercolor Streets

The rain paints the city like a watercolor master. Colors bleed into the wet streets, and the city feels filled with a beautiful energy. It's hard to describe how it felt to walk these streets, not even noticing my wet shoes, chasing after the light that bounces from building to building. Later, the rain turned to snow, and made for some very unique images of this wonderful city.

Shibuya Crossing

Widely considered one of the busiest pedestrian intersections on the planet, Shibuya Crossing is so much more than just a crosswalk- it's a tourist attraction in itself. Every time the lights change, the streets fill with commuters, but also with smiling tourists, people who have traveled far for a glimpse at this phenomenon.

Shifting Time

Photography is largely about physics- light, space, time- they all intertwine and can be manipulated to create new and unique images. I spent a lot of time on this trip playing with new concepts and seeing how far I could push my own limits.