Nogata

In a stroll through the vibrant neighborhoods of Suginami and Nakano, I immersed myself once more in one of the visual journeys that encapsulate the essence of these popular districts. Away from the glimmering lights of high-end boutiques, these districts have a soulful charm that sets them apart.

Along the long evening spent braving the hot weather with my friend Lee Chapman, we encountered tireless men engaged in their daily work. Each one of them worked with dedication, and we also had pleasant chats with some of them.

That day, I was shooting with a 50mm lens on my Leica M10 (a 50mm Summicron APO), a slight departure from my usual 35mm for street photography. The shift challenged me to rely less on instinct and more on careful concentration to get the composition right. Along the walk, as always, I found the essence of what makes Suginami and Nakano special—little barber shops, old family-owned restaurants, beaten-up coin laundries, and so on.

Here are some snapshots from that day— a couple of portraits of those people who make these districts a treasure trove of human warmth and authenticity.

We had a couple of drinks at this yakitori place. After a rather chilly 'welcome,' we managed to break through their defenses and had a pleasant chat.