Japan is a country that tries to maintain two worlds at once; they aren't coy about it at all. On one hand, the Japanese have put an unfathomable effort into developing a culture, society, and economy that is almost as monolithic as its buildings.

    It is a Japan that I, and most of my generation, were first introduced to through Nintendo, Walkmen, and Saturday-morning cartoons. On the other hand, the traditional side of Japan is not far behind the facade of the new. With a kind of fanaticism, the Japanese have kept it alive. Pockets within the megalopoleis are reserved for places such as gardens, temples, and shrines. They are not left simply to crumble, but are lovingly restored. Visit them often enough and you are sure to encounter those like the tree-groomers, who work hard to make sure each and every limb of each and every tree is perfectly manicured.

    I'm not the first to discover that this makes for a fantastic place to take up photography, and I'm not surprised that Japan has become one of the world leaders in photography equipment. For a wanderer like me, every excursion, from day trips to commutes, would provide something interesting to see. Part of the fun was being surprised. Just pick two stops on any of the train lines in the city, and simply walk from one to the other. Don't worry about the route too much, just walk. If something catches your eye, follow it. If you see people staring at something, take a peek. If you don't get in the way, you'll probably be left alone to your devices. More often than not, you'll find something fun and new to photograph, something that you didn't expect.

    Like monkeys on leashes.