One day＠Kabukicho #DAY171 - Just before the last train on a week end night. It's difficult to take photos when there're too many people.

The last time I went to Kabukicho, it was pouring rain. It wasn't particularly great weather this time either, but compared to the heavy rain last time, it was much better. So, with that in mind, I wandered around taking photos this time just as I wanted, as if to satisfy my desire to take more photos that I couldn't last time.

I didn't write any articles because I didn't take any photos I can share here, but I went on another trip with my father and my brother's family, and due to my own and my friend's work schedules, I hadn't had time to visit Kabukicho on recent weeekends. Especially it's a bit difficult going on trip unless it's a long weekend.

We already knew when I last went to Kabukicho (when I met up with the friend) that we wouldn't have much time to see each other, so the friend gave me a long list of recommended TV dramas and movies. I really trust her recommendations. Because we seem to have similar tastes, I've never been disappointed by anything she recommended. So, I watched a lot of those dramas and movies on weekday nights. But because the list is so long (and she even gave me more recommendations along the way), I'm still not even halfway through it.

Recently, I go to Kabukicho about once every 2 to 3 weeks. Of course I look forward to meeting my friend, also I look forward to taking photos walking around. I can't come as often as before, so I become greedy and want to take more photos in one session, but it doesn't work out well.

When taking photos, sometimes it takes courage to take a step forward. The first photo in this article is a good example of that. I have to be careful in order to not show the face clearly because it's difficult to be post in articles if their face is taken clearly. At the same time, I did not approach the subject beforehand to take the photo. If I were to approach them, I wouldn't be able to take their natural expression like in the first photo.

While also taking photos with a certain level of tension, I also take photos in a relaxed manner like this one, just casually releasing the shutter button.

When taking photos of someone, I hope to show respect to the subject even though they're someone I don't know. I want to take them looking better, so perhaps that's why there's a sense of tension in those moments. On the other hand ,when just taking photos of everyday street scenes, there's no need for that tention, so it's really easy and enjoyable.

At the smoking area I often visit. A narrow space. When there're other groups around, conversations naturally catch my ear. Two women entered the smoking area on this day when I was smoking. The conversation I overheard was... just too vulgar, so I'll refrain from writing it down.

Looking back at the photos, I can see I walked around the streets of Ichiban-gai, Godzilla Road, Sakura Street, Azuma Street, Ward Office Street, just like crossing Kabukicho on this day. Again, it's fun to be able to move around freely without the rain. I hope it doesn't rain when I go next time.

See you then.