If you’re looking for some visual inspiration around the Japan aesthetic, and Japanese style, hopefully this blog post can help! I recently visited Japan for 3 weeks, and documented the Japanese aesthetic with my camera lens along the way.
For me, the aesthetic was completely unique and different to anything I had seen before. I’m used to visiting cities like London, Dubai and NYC – which all have very distinct (albiet very seperate styles).
Usually when you tick another city off your bucket list, you can draw comparason and similarities – but for Japan I really couldn’t.
I loved each city I went to during my trip – but couldn’t necessarily liken them to anywhere I had been before – they felt totally new to me, and their aesthetic style felt like a new discovery too.
The cities I visited were Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Each one completely unique, with it’s own aesthetic and style. `for this post, I’m going to zone in on Tokyo. The first city I visited on my trip, and my first impression of Japan.
From the moment I touched down Tokyo I knew I’d love the city. I loved it’s spralling nature, I loved the energy after sundown, I loved the endless restaurants and eateries available around every corner.
What is the Tokyo Aesthetic?
Tokyo is (of course) the spralling metropolis you expect it to be. Skyscrapers, bright screens, busy crossings, traffic, congestion. But, interestingly, there were pockets of the city that were quiet, comfortable and cosy. That’s something I didn’t expect and took me by complete surprise.
I loved the quiet streets, and I absolutely adored discovering the quiet side of the city. The boutique coffee shops, the small independent stores, the vintage depots, it was perfect.
As an example, after strolling through some of the city’s more touristy areas (and I’ll be honest here – these weren’t my favourite bits of the city) I started to crave something a little more authentic and quiet.
Only 10 minutes away, I found a small neighbourhood, quiet, peaceful and serene, with a slight incline winding it’s way through beautiful houses and apartment buildings.
Whilst exploring this area, I found a cute street lined with cafes (the best iced coffee I’ve ever had!), independent clothing stores, and a board game cafe. It was charming, and a million miles from the tourist hubs.
I also noticed that in these quieter areas of the city, you’d find beautiful hidden gardens. Rooftop gardens, tiny little shrines, beautiful front gardens, all cared for beautifully and presented immaculately.
Night Vs Day in Tokyo
I loved exploring the city during the daytime but the aesthetic of Tokyo changed drastically when the sun went down. Seeing the environment change, and the vibe change to those bright lights and busy streets – was really something special to behold.
I love exploring the crowded food streets, being jostled around along with the crowds, smelling incredible food from each little eatery along the way.
Tokyo’s aesthetic at night time is all about lights lights and more lights. Bright, colourful and everywhere. This is an aesthetic that totally envelopes you – it’s 360 degrees, and all around.
I loved the crowds of friends gathered around ramen bars or hot pots, sharing pints of bright orange beer, and stories of the day just past. The twinkling lights, lighting up the city streets as far as you can see.
A few times, I revisited those streets in the morning time, only to find them empty, quiet and unassuming – a stark contrast from just a few hours earlier. I loved that.
At night time, you can just walk and walk, stumbling upon more streets, more restaurants, and beautiful food places along the way. There’s sometimes the dilema of too much choice – but that’s a pretty nice problem to have, let’s be honest!
The parks and green spaces
And then, of course, you have Tokyo’s parks. These peaceful, green oasis’ of tranquil space, right in the heart of the city.
A few steps from 5 lane highways – you’d have shrines, temples and meadows. I have always loved exploring city parks (there’s something a little more magical baout them than regular parks) and the ones in Tokyo didn’t disappoint me at all.
To admire a trickling stream in the dappled shade of a low hanging tree, whilst a city roars below you is something hard to explain.
