Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Street Photography: Chinatown, Honolulu

Walking around Chinatown, Honolulu, and taking some street photos.

A man pushing a cart across the street in Chinatown, Honolulu

Chinatown in Honolulu, Hawaii, is not only a historical center of the city, it’s also arguably one of Hawaii’s best areas for street photography.

Around the Lunar New Year in 2023, I felt an urge to shoot some street photos. I decided to go to Chinatown with my camera and make a video showing where I was walking and what my perspectives were while taking these shots.

Here’s what I took that day:

A woman buying something at a store in Chinatown
A man using his smartphone at a flower shop in Chinatown, Honolulu
Fence shadows in an alley in Chinatown, Honolulu
A man stocks a store in Chinatown, Honolulu
Someone cleaning a store in Chinatown, Honolulu
A man closes a market gate in Chinatown, Honolulu
A man in a wheelchair smoking a cigarette in Chinatown, Honolulu
A street cat in Chinatown, Honolulu
Two people sitting outside a store in Chinatown
A woman carrying shopping bags in Chinatown, Honolulu
Window glass reflection in Chinatown, Honolulu
A man sits on a sidewalk in Chinatown, Honolulu
A woman rides a moped in Chinatown, Honolulu, in January 2023
A street in Chinatown, Honolulu, in January 2023
A woman packs baked goods in Chinatown, Honolulu, in January 2023

If you want to see how I shot these, please take a look:


Keep in touch:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Street Photography: Gotokuji & Kyodo, Tokyo

Going out on a snowy winter day to take street photos of Gotokuji and Kyodo, Tokyo.

woman bicycling in the snow in kyodo, tokyo

Gotokuji and Kyodo, Tokyo, are two neighboring areas in Setagaya Ward. The famous “maneki neko” temple is in Gotokuji, and Kyodo is home to a university, some schools and a larger station

It began snowing heavily for Tokyo one winter day in 2022, and I decided to go our with my camera and make a video while I took some street photography.

moped in the snow at gotokuji, tokyo
police officer riding bicycle in the snow in gotokuji, tokyo
taxi in snow in gotokuji, tokyo
man shoveling snow in gotokuji, tokyo
moped rider on a snowy street in gotokuji, tokyo
temple covered in snow in gotokuji, tokyo
graveyard covered in snow in gotokuji, tokyo
snowy alley in kyodo, tokyo
woman walking snowy street in kyodo, tokyo
moped on snowy street in kyodo, tokyo
moped on snowy street in kyodo, tokyo
snowy street in kyodo tokyo

I also made a video of myself taking these photos that winter evening. Please watch if you’re interested:


Keep in touch:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Street Photography: Koenji, Tokyo

Shooting street photos of Koenji, Tokyo, a neighborhood known for its alternative subcultures.

The area of Koenji, Tokyo, is considered by locals as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city. It’s best known for its alternative subcultures, and on a late fall afternoon in 2021, I decided to go there for some street photography.

I also made a video of myself taking these photos that day. Please watch if you’re interested:


Keep in touch:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Fall in Japan Wallpapers

Fall is arguably Japan’s best season. Some of my favorite photos turned into wallpapers for your phone.

Fall is Japan's best season. To me at least. It’s when the weather finally begins to cool down from excruciating summers and the leaves turn beautiful colors.

I've been fortunate to see them for several years now, so I edited some of the photos I took into wallpapers for you. Feel free to use them!

Kiyomizu-dera - Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera - Kyoto

Kamo River - Kyoto

Kamo River - Kyoto

Omotesando, Tokyo

Tenryuji Temple, Kyoto

Tenryuji Temple, Kyoto

Gaienmae Icho Namiki - Tokyo

Gaienmae Icho Namiki - Tokyo

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine - Kyoto

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine - Kyoto

Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji - Kyoto

Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji - Kyoto

Tokyo Skytree - Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree - Tokyo

Hitachi Seaside Park - Ibaraki

Hitachi Seaside Park - Ibaraki

Marunouchi - Tokyo

Marunouchi - Tokyo

University of Tokyo - Tokyo

University of Tokyo - Tokyo

Hamarikyu Gardens - Tokyo

Hamarikyu Gardens - Tokyo

Kiyomizu-dera - Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera - Kyoto

Rikugien - Tokyo

Rikugien - Tokyo

Roppongi Hills - Tokyo

Roppongi Hills - Tokyo

SHARE:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Springtime Walk in Shimotakaido, Tokyo

Exploring the streets of Shimotakaido in Setagaya, Tokyo during cherry blossom season.

People walking around Shimotakaido in Setagaya, Tokyo, in Spring 2020 - Barrett Ishida

The Shimotakaido area of Setagaya, Tokyo, is a smaller, residential area with a few schools in the neighborhood. The main area is lively with a variety of shops and eateries, and its tunnel of cherry blossoms make for a nice walk during the springtime.

A Japanese student rides his bicycle under the cherry blossoms in Shimotakaido, Setagaya, Tokyo in Spring 2020 - Barrett Ishida
A woman making taiyaki at a shop in Shimotakaido, Setagaya, Tokyo in Spring 2020 - Barrett Ishida
Two women go for a walk around Shimotakaido, Setagaya, Tokyo, during cherry blossom season in Spring 2020 - Barrett Ishida
A man goes through his items at his eclectic shop in Shimotakaido, Setagaya, Tokyo  in Spring 2020 - Barrett Ishida

Keep in touch:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

A Snowy Spring Day in Tokyo

Photographing the streets of Setagaya, Tokyo on a snowy, spring day.

A woman in Kyodo, Setagaya, Tokyo walks through a snowy day in Spring 2020.

2020 has been an interesting year to say the least.

Amongst the odd occurrences was Tokyo getting its heaviest snow day of the season. The catch? It was in late March, after the cherry blossoms were already out.

Snow fall in the city is one of my favorite conditions to photograph, so I walked around the Kyodo area of Setagaya, Tokyo on this day.

A grandfather walks a young girl in Kyodo, Setagaya, Tokyo walks through a snowy day in Spring 2020.
People in Kyodo, Setagaya, Tokyo walk through a snowy day in Spring 2020.
A moped drives through Kyodo, Setagaya, Tokyo walks through a snowy day in Spring 2020.
A taxi squeezes through a crowded street in Kyodo, Setagaya, Tokyo walks through a snowy day in Spring 2020.

At the end of March, with the cherry blossoms already in bloom, the heaviest snow day of the year hit Tokyo. Here's some scenes from a quick walk around. Fee...


KEEP IN TOUCH

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Honolulu Street Walks

Taking my camera around the Kakaako, Kaimuki and Downtown areas of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Wall art next to a park in Kakaako.

I was recently in Honolulu, Hawaii, for a friend’s wedding. For a week and a half I got to play tourist in my hometown, meeting up with friends and trying new places that have popped up over the years.

Bringing a camera out is not so common for locals in Honolulu, but I decided to do it as much as I could.

While I was there, I frequented the Kakaako, Kaimuki and Downtown Honolulu areas the most.

A woman walks her dog in Kakaako.
tokidoki wall art at SALT in Kakaako
A likely homeless man gets some sunlight amongst new high rise buildings in Kakaako
High rise buildings and new apartments in front of Punchbowl Crater in the background
Wilhelmina Rise in Kaimuki

Wilhelmina Rise in Kaimuki

A woman bicycles in Kaimuki
The angles of buildings in Downtown Honolulu
People walking the streets of Downtown Honolulu in the afternoon
Diamond Head in the back of various buildings with wall art in Kakaako

KEEP IN TOUCH

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Friends' Wedding in Hawaii

Seeing friends Ryan and Kathy get married in Honolulu at the Nutridge Estate.

Kathy and Ryan after marrying

Kathy and Ryan after marrying

I recently went home to Honolulu, Hawaii, to see my longtime friend Ryan marry my more recent friend Kathy.

The wedding was at the Nutridge Estate in Tantalus, was casual, warm and really fun. It suited them quite well.

I took my camera with me and shot around a bit. Here’s some of what I took.

View from the Nutridge Estate, looking west towards Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

View from the Nutridge Estate, looking west towards Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

Awaiting the ceremony. Pictured: Aja

Awaiting the ceremony. Pictured: Aja

Awaiting the ceremony. Pictured: Joey

Awaiting the ceremony. Pictured: Joey

Kathy and Ryan get married outdoors

Kathy and Ryan get married outdoors

Cupcakes by A Cake Life

Cupcakes by A Cake Life

Kathy dances with her dad in the Father and Bride dance

Kathy dances with her dad in the Father and Bride dance

Kathy and Ryan on the dance floor

Kathy and Ryan on the dance floor

Ryan with his mom on the dance floor

Ryan with his mom on the dance floor

Bride’s maids having fun

Bride’s maids having fun

Andy also taking pictures

Andy also taking pictures

Evening set up

Evening set up

Kathy and Ryan

Kathy and Ryan

Congratulations!!


KEEP IN TOUCH

SHARE

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Suzhou Alleys and Canals

One day of exploring the photogenic streets, alleys and canals of Suzhou.

A man rides a moped through an alley in Suzhou, China

On a trip to China in spring of this year, I took a day trip to the city of Suzhou.

Suzhou is a street photographer’s daydream. Old streets, narrow alleys and a network of canals. My time spent here was really far too short, but these images capture a few of the sights that I was able to witness.

A woman prepares fruits to sell.

An elderly woman shows her Alipay code for wireless payments

An elderly woman shows her Alipay code for wireless payments

A man sells fruit on his bicycle.

A man sells fruit on his bicycle.

A young man and woman eat lunch in outside of their home.

A young man and woman eat lunch in outside of their home.

Street vendors share a conversation on the side of the road.

Street vendors share a conversation on the side of the road.

A woman rides a bicycle down an alley.

A woman rides a bicycle down an alley.

People buying fruit from a street vendor.

People buying fruit from a street vendor.

Young girls talk and play outside.

Young girls talk and play outside.

A woman plays Mahjong in a room with others.

A woman plays Mahjong in a room with others.

Regular life on a Suzhou street

Regular life on a Suzhou street

A woman transports a load.

A woman transports a load.

A man zooms through a crowded alley. [INSTAGRAM]

A man zooms through a crowded alley. [INSTAGRAM]

A woman feeds an early dinner to a young boy outside of an apartment.

A woman feeds an early dinner to a young boy outside of an apartment.

An elderly woman eats dinner outside. [INSTAGRAM]

An elderly woman eats dinner outside. [INSTAGRAM]

Sundown over a canal.

Sundown over a canal.

A man uses his phone outside under the evening sky.

A man uses his phone outside under the evening sky.

A man smokes a cigarette.


KEEP IN TOUCH

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Streets of Shanghai

Shooting the streets and alleys of Shanghai in 2019.

Two women dressed alike video their experience at a street food vendor near Yu Garden

Earlier this year I traveled to China, and Shanghai was one of the destinations I visited. It was a city that I had been before but hadn’t truly explored. This time, I came with a camera.

A man and woman talk in an alley in the Huanghe area

A man and woman talk in an alley in the Huanghe area

A street corner int he Huanghe area

A street corner int he Huanghe area

A man and woman walk with an elderly woman down an alley in Huanghe

A man and woman walk with an elderly woman down an alley in Huanghe

A restaurant worker peers out as he takes a break in a back alley in the Huanghe area

A restaurant worker peers out as he takes a break in a back alley in the Huanghe area

People relax under hanging laundry in the Huanghe area

People relax under hanging laundry in the Huanghe area

Laundry hangs over a backstreet in the Huanghe area

Laundry hangs over a backstreet in the Huanghe area

Signs from luxury brands illuminate the streets of Xintiandi

Signs from luxury brands illuminate the streets of Xintiandi

A main street in the Dashijie area

A main street in the Dashijie area

A task force in all black passes through The Bund

A task force in all black passes through The Bund

Shanghai Tower, a 632 meter tall skyscraper towers over buildings near the Yu Garden

Shanghai Tower, a 632 meter tall skyscraper towers over buildings near the Yu Garden


KEEP IN TOUCH

SHARE:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Hanazono Shrine Torinoichi Festival

Shooting around Hanazono Shrine’s Torinoichi Festival in November 2019.

People at Hanazono Shrine’s Torinoichi Festival


The Torinoichi Festival happens two or three times each November. Hanazono Shrine in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is one of the hosting shrines, and some 600k people take part in the festivities.

People go to buy kumade, which are ornamental rakes, because it’s said that it will help them “rake” in good luck.

I just happened to stumble in during my first year living in Tokyo, but this time I intentionally went to check it out. Unfortunately the crowds were way too much - a line about a traffic lane and a half wide worth of people that went down the street and around the block.

Despite this, there was a lot to see. Here are some scenes I managed to snap.

Lanterns at the entrance of the Hanazono Shrine

Lanterns at the entrance of the Hanazono Shrine

A chef prepares food for customers at his stall

A chef prepares food for customers at his stall

People having fun over food and drinks

People having fun over food and drinks

One of the kumade rakes

One of the kumade rakes

A man prepares a potato at his food stall

A man prepares a potato at his food stall

A woman loads toppings on her steamed potato

A woman loads toppings on her steamed potato

Steamed potato with butter, mayo, spicy miso and kim chee.

Steamed potato with butter, mayo, spicy miso and kim chee.

People browse a food stall aisle at Hanazono Shrine

People browse a food stall aisle at Hanazono Shrine

A man makes okonomiyaki at his food stall

A man makes okonomiyaki at his food stall

A man cooks takoyaki at his food stall

A man cooks takoyaki at his food stall

A woman blow torches cheese at her food stall

A woman blow torches cheese at her food stall

A man grills tako (octopus) at his food stall

A man grills tako (octopus) at his food stall

A man grills a meat skewer at his food stall

A man grills a meat skewer at his food stall

The crowd walking past food stalls outside of Hanazono Shrine

The crowd walking past food stalls outside of Hanazono Shrine

KEEP IN TOUCH

SHARE:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

Walking Around Beijing

Photographing Beijing life that I came across while exploring the Chinese capital.

Beijing, a huge city featuring ancient and modern China, often side by side.

Traveling here requires a lot of energy - the walking never stops. Here are some shots of Beijing life that I came across while on the go.

A delivery moped passes The Place on an afternoon.

A delivery moped passes The Place on an afternoon.

A man walks the Great Wall on a foggy, early morning. [INSTAGRAM]

A man walks the Great Wall on a foggy, early morning. [INSTAGRAM]

Riding scooters in Beijing’s SOHO area.

Riding scooters in Beijing’s SOHO area.

A serious group playing Mahjong near Dafangjia Hutong.

A serious group playing Mahjong near Dafangjia Hutong.

Men playing Xiangqi (Chinese chess) near the Temple of Heaven.

Men playing Xiangqi (Chinese chess) near the Temple of Heaven.

Rosting Peking Duck at Li Qun.

Rosting Peking Duck at Li Qun.

A man rides through the Donghuamen residential district of Beijing. [INSTAGRAM]

A man rides through the Donghuamen residential district of Beijing. [INSTAGRAM]

Gas delivery to a home in Beijing’s Donghuamen residential district.

Gas delivery to a home in Beijing’s Donghuamen residential district.

Some workers stop at a traffic light on the way home.

Some workers stop at a traffic light on the way home.

Some Chinese students take a break on their bicycles in Wangfujin.

Some Chinese students take a break on their bicycles in Wangfujin.

Making a turn in Shichahai.

Making a turn in Shichahai.

A cat hanging out in a cafe in at Houhai Lake.

A cat hanging out in a cafe in at Houhai Lake.

Texing in an alley in Shichahai.

Texing in an alley in Shichahai.

A worker goes on break at Luogu Lane.

A woman with an open-fire food cart near Luogu Lane under an orange night sky.

A woman with an open-fire food cart near Luogu Lane under an orange night sky.


Keep in Touch:

Read More
Photo Log Barrett Ishida Photo Log Barrett Ishida

A Snowy Winter Day in Tokyo

Capturing scenes from a snowy day in Tokyo.

It rarely snows heavily in Tokyo. In my three years living in the city, there's been an average of one or two days per year where it really comes down.

This year, I made sure to grab my camera and take some shots on the way home and around my neighborhood.

A couple shares an umbrella under the snow near Ochanomizu.

A couple shares an umbrella under the snow near Ochanomizu.

A Keio line train departs Sasazuka station bound for Hashimoto.

A Keio line train departs Sasazuka station bound for Hashimoto.

A Kuroneko Yamato delivery man delivering packages on a bicycle in the thick snow in Setagaya.

A Kuroneko Yamato delivery man delivering packages on a bicycle in the thick snow in Setagaya.

A Keio train headed for Hashimoto pulls into Shimotakaido station. [BUY PRINT]

A Keio train headed for Hashimoto pulls into Shimotakaido station

A man makes his way home through the snow on his bicycle in Shimotakaido, Setagaya. [BUY PRINT]

A man makes his way home through the snow on his bicycle in Shimotakaido, Setagaya.

A taxi navigates a narrow street in Setagaya.

A taxi navigates a narrow street in Setagaya.


Keep in Touch:

Read More