One Photo Per Day Challenge

Posting an image every day while abroad

NOTICE: This page is still alive!

I've been bogged down with school work, expect updates in August

The goal of this project is to document my time studying in Japan and to improve my photographic skills. The challenge started Monday the week of my flight to Japan, and will end the week I return.

Images may be delayed in arriving on the website. Posting to Instagram is keeping me accountable, and I will post them here as I have time.

Idyllic Yoyogi

Yoyogi Park Hotel

Setagaya Line

Tiny trains, tiny stations.

Towering Shinjuku

Photography Club Meeting!

This image is from a photo walk I did with my school's Photography club.

I've typically been posting the uncropped, borderless images on this page, but since this image (and more going forward) incorporate the border into the work, the image here will be identical to the one on Instagram.

Setagaya Life II

Setagaya Life

Some of the locals have encouraged me to show "real Tokyo" - the place where most people live, as opposed to the glamourous city centers. Starting off with Setagaya, the ward I'm living in, I'll be posting images that depict the lesser seen parts of the metropolis that is Tokyo.

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

770 years old!

Sake at the Temple

The rain is back!

Edge of Shibuya

First sight of the tower

A Shining City

Geometric Sky

Looking through a wired glass window after class imparted this pattern into the sky. Pictured is the United Nations University, which I've been told isn't actually a school.

Another day of school

How lucky am I, going to school right next to the heart of Shibuya? This view of Miyashita park from below - the park is atop a building - was seen on the way to lunch.

Ikebukuro Exploration

After accidentally finding ourselves in a Vietnam festival and exploring another Tokyo university campus, a classmate and I went walking through the neighborhoods of Ikebukuro.

The classmate I was with has a good eye for interesting stuff. She pointed out the green building and the vending machine, thinking that it could make for a cool picture. I think she was right!

Towers of Shibuya

I joined a couple of classmates on a trip to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, which has an observation deck on the 45th floor. On the way, I spotted the pictured building, and was struck by both the shape and the shading of the paneling, a gradient that darkens as it descends. It really popped out of the surrounding area!

"Today's Meats"

Changing things up today. I'll be experimenting a bit more as I work to build my style.

Shibuya Evenings

Since my school is right Shibuya, I keep spending my evenings there.

Heading to Ikebukuro

I've been posting a lot of train or station photos while I'm here. I'm a bit enamored with the scale of the public transit in Tokyo.

Golden Gai

I joined newly met friends from yesterday's viewing party to spend a night on the town. We hopped between bars, landing at an incredibly cramped place in Golden Gai, a well known area of very tiny bars.

Once 00:19 rolled past, I was stuck out until first train (unless I wanted to walk two hours), so I stayed out until 6 AM.

Temple in Ueno

I was invited to a cherry blossom viewing party. The trees in the area weren't quite bloomed yet, but the surrounding area was gorgeous.

Leaving the dorm

A train passing through my station as the sun sets. I got out a little late!

Went to a metal festival today, it was *fantastic* to see some of my favorite Japanese artists live.

Train from Ginza

While returning from checking out MUJI's flagship store, the terminus of the Ginza line caught my eye. The color and light here were too good to pass up!

A winding creek

Tokyo has a decent number of creeks and rivers running through it. They do a nice job of breaking up the endless towers found in the city.

I was heading towards one of said towers labelled "Google" when I found this view.

Full Bloom

In search of specialty coffee, another student and I went to Nakameguro. As the train pulled into the station, I caught a glimpse of unending Sakura blossoms.

After getting some amazing espresso, we headed out to find the cherry blossom festival. We got candied strawberries and enjoyed beautiful views until well after the sun went down.

Exploring Shibuya

After the first day of orientation, myself and six other students went out to wander Shibuya.

After winding through high fashion experiences and verdant parks we found a yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant and had a lovely group dinner.

Photo: "Fashion" - A golden manequin suspended by cables floats above neon stairs behind a pile of LCDs

Moved into my dorm!

Today was more busy than expected. I left my hotel right at checkout time with all my belongings in tow. After an hour of transit - made longer by me missing a train - I arrived to my new home for the next five months.

Upon inspecting my dorm, I realized I had made a mistake when applying for the room. When the application asked if I wanted to lease bedding, I assumed they meant sheets. Apparently, the mattress is included in that option.

A 30 minute walk later and I find myself in the home goods store. 30 minutes of deliberation later I buy a futon set. 30 more minutes, and I'm back at my dorm, now with a usable bed. Time to unpack and settle in!

Photo: The view out my dorm window. I can't decide if it's pretty or if the barbed wire fence is just too off-putting.

Evening in Akihabara

For dinner on my last night in Akihabahra, I decided to check out the Michelin Guide. Apparently, Tokyo has as many Michelin starred restaurants as the whole of the US! I found a Bib Gourmand (good value) rated Tonkotsu shop nearby, and it was fantastic!

Photo: The street on my way home from dinner

In Search of Tea

Sixth day. I wanted boba tea, so I went to the nearest place that was well reviewed. It didn't exist anymore. I ended up walking to Ueno's outdoor markets, which were gorgeous. I found tea, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Photo: An ornately decorated restaurant in Ueno.

Time to explore

Fifth day. After finishing the very last of my winter term school work, I headed out into Akihabara and the surrounding area. I had a really tough time choosing today's photo, as there's so many interesting things to see here.

Photo: A row of restaurants near Akihabara.