Ohayo gozaimasu from Tokyo! by Sarah Beetson

Freelance artist and illustrator, Sarah Beetson recently visited Tokyo, the de facto capital of Japan and is home to over 35 million people. It has the largest metropolitan gross domestic product in the world for a city, and it has held the title of the world’s most expensive city for a decade. Take a look at the Japanese capital through her eyes…

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Japanese Arch
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

The A-bomb dome
The only thing left after the 1945 atom bomb exploded 120m above it. It was a very sombre experience visiting the peace park, especially seeing all the photos and glass cabinets containing clothing worn by victims, etc, but incredibly inspiring the way the Japanese have dealt with it in such a peaceful way – you can buy “Hiroshima city of peace t-shirts” in the museum.  The Americans and the Brits could learn a lot from them. I was also astounded to learn that the countries who currently possess the largest arsenals of nuclear weapons apart from Russia and India are – The UK, The USA and France!!!!!! Am I rather ignorant – or has something been ‘kept’ from us….?
Japan
By Sarah Beetson

Lanterns
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Touching the sky
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Downtown Hiroshima
Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Kill Bill
The restaurant that inspired Tarantino to create the set for the sword fighting scene in Kill Bill – you know the really gory one with the Japanese girl punk band?! Yummy tempura and nasu dengaku!
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

More lanterns
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Classic Design
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Shibuya crossing
The one from the movie “Lost in Translation” – which has about 8 crossings and is pretty mad at rush hour in the rain with everyone walking into each other! I saw 1 woman get stranded in the middle as all the cars came rushing past! Much better viewed from Starbucks above.
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

The Small Details
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Ma-tree-nomy
I think these trees had got married!
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

The Giant
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Shibuya crossing at street level
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Cherry Blossom
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Kawaii
Kawaii Japanese school kids who interviewed me in English for their project – they were so cute!
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Hanami in Hiroshima
Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Temple
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Atomic Bomb Dome
Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Striking red
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson

Geisha
Tokyo, Japan
Photo by Sarah Beetson