STREET LEVEL JAPAN: Experience the Bustling Streets of Japanese Cities, lovely photo essay on urban Japan

STREET LEVEL JAPAN: Experience the Bustling Streets of Japanese Cities
HIROKI HARADA
Epic Ink (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$35.00 all editions, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Street Level Japan take viewers on a photo journey through the intriguing urban spaces of Japan’s major cities. Embark on a visual tour of urban Japan, captured through Tokyo-native Hiroki Harada’s eyepopping photography.

Street Level Japan immerses you in the unique city streets of Japan. Explore hidden alleys, peruse storefronts, and marvel at cityscapes through over200 stunning photographs that perfectly capture the light, mood, and beauty of Japan’s cities. Each photo is accompanied by a caption that provides background on the location and the inspiration for the photograph. Featured in the Photographize Magazine’s 100 Best in 2023, Harada’s acclaimed images have captured the attention of tens of thousands of followers on social media (@funky_side_of_town). Through a series of photos, Harada guides you through Japan’s most famous cities, including:

Tokyo

Kyoto

Osaka

Nagoya

Yokohama

and more!

Street Level Japan is packed with impressive visuals that will draw you in with their intricate detail and realistic nuance. Whether you’re an armchair explorer or world traveler, prepare to be wowed by these incredible visual narratives.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: I think Japan is physically very beautiful. Its cultural milieu is a mixed bag for me, but as expressed in its built environment, it appeals greatly. As a natural world, it's gorgeous indeed. If you're not familiar with its dramatic, majestic landscapes, Google is your friend. (Don't use a chatbot.)

The city photography in this volume appeals to me greatly, because it looks (to my outsider's eye) so intentional, so much a consensus-culture's expression of what's needed and wanted.

I've selected seven of the dozen or so images supplied for publicity. More out of respect for my storage limitations than any other reason. I'd post the whole book if possible but there would be Repercussions I do not want.

I hope it's given you a picture (!) of a good recipient for a modestly-priced luxury item. Who among your giftees loves manga, reads Japanese literature obsessively, and adores anime? Thirty-five bucks ain't a bad price to say "I see you, I love you" to such a one.

Unlike many of the illustrated books I tell y'all about, this one seems designed to be an ideal tablet-reader's art book. It looked fine on my modestly-priced Galaxy S11 tablet. The tree book is, of course *chef's kiss* but it's good to have another arrow in your quiver.

For your consideration. (If it works for getting Academy voters to pay attention to films, why not books too.)