Shashasha EU

An homage to Tokyo’s eccentrics and eccentricities

In his work, Tokyo-based Shinya Arimoto has continued to photograph people and the environments in which they live, whether through portraits or street snaps. His latest series “Tokyo Strut”, mainly shot in Shinjuku, the urban subcenter that is home to Japan’s most frequented train station, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, countless bars and nightlife joints, expensive brand shops, cheap eateries, and Tokyo’s most vibrant gay quarter. Arimoto, who considers himself an outsider, perhaps even a misfit in relation to Japan’s societal expectations, shines a light on those who make Tokyo into a city – the interesting characters, the weird ones, those with enough attitude and the courage to show and live it. In a mix of impromptu portraits and snapshot photos, Arimoto builds a vibrant mosaic of characters and sights, always shot with a keen eye and sincere respect.