Ueno Station
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Ueno Station

A vibrant stained-glass mural inside Ueno Station in Tokyo, Japan, showcasing a colorful design of flowers, starry skies, and Japanese fans. The illuminated artwork adds a touch of artistry to the busy transit hub, while directional signs guide commuters to exits, subway lines, and nearby attractions.

Read More
Urban flow
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Urban flow

Late afternoon traffic in motion at the main intersection near Ueno Station in Tokyo’s Taito Ward, as viewed from the pedestrian overpass.

Read More
Pachinko Symbol
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Pachinko Symbol

After photographing local shrines and temples near my colleague’s office by Ueno Station in Tokyo, Japan, I made my way back to the station. Along the route, I captured this high-contrast, slightly overexposed shot of a striking "U"-shaped sculpture with a reflective sphere on top, positioned at the end of a pedestrian overpass.

Read More
Higashi-Ueno
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Higashi-Ueno

After photographing local shrines and temples near my colleague’s office by Ueno Station in Tokyo, Japan, I headed back to the station. Along the way, I captured this high-contrast monochrome shot of the underside of a pedestrian overpass, showcasing an intricate mix of lines, angles, and contrasting round and flat shapes.

Read More
Inari Shrine
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Inari Shrine

Ryueiinari-jinja, a small Inari shrine in Higashi-Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo, features the characteristic closely spaced vermilion torii gates leading up to the shrine.

Read More
Flower Panda
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Flower Panda

Shitaya Shrine in Higashi-Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo, features a beautifully adorned water font that is frequently decorated with fresh flowers. The floral arrangements often include a panda motif, paying tribute to the two pandas that once resided at the nearby Ueno Zoo.

Read More
Shitaya Shrine
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Shitaya Shrine

Shitaya Shrine in Higashi-Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo, caught my eye with its elegant curved gable, known as a karahafu, and bright metal fittings that serve both a decorative and protective purpose, shielding key elements from weathering.

Read More
Shitaya Shrine Torii Gates
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Shitaya Shrine Torii Gates

A snapshot of a typical weekday afternoon in the Tokyo urban neighborhood of Higshi-Ueno in Taito Ward, featuring a striking vermilion torii gate leading to Shitaya shrine.

Read More
Higashi-Ueno 5-Chome
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Higashi-Ueno 5-Chome

Higashi-Ueno’s 5-Chome, a small triangular-shaped subdivision that includes about 21 blocks of cramped buildings, isn’t much different from the thousands of other small subdivisions scattered throughout Tokyo’s 23 wards, where the past and present coexist in fascinating ways.

Read More
Grave Markers
Daisei Iketani Daisei Iketani

Grave Markers

Wooden grave tablets with a vertical Sanskrit inscription are placed behind or against family gravestones at most Buddhist cemeteries in Japan. The late afternoon light under clear winter skies presented harsh shadows and bright highlights that I felt would be good for a monochrome shot.

Read More