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Tokyo is a fascinating city where the past and future coexist in perfect harmony. Japan’s capital is famous for its modern architecture, which is filled with towering skyscrapers, as well as its ancient temples.

Photographer Shu captures people living in Tokyo in a truly unique way. Playing with light and shadow, carefully arranging elements, and embracing minimalism, he showcases a side of the city we rarely see. Shu’s work focuses on a quieter, more contemplative Tokyo—one that often goes unnoticed amid the city's fast-paced energy.

More info: Instagram

#1

Minimalist view of Tokyo with a lone person walking through a sunlit space, casting shadows on the ground.

shu_._photo Report

We reached out to the photographer to learn more about his work. When asked to describe his style in as few words as possible, he responded: “People in the landscape, everyday scenes, different perspectives.” Shu also shared that what draws him to Tokyo—a city full of movement and detail—is capturing its minimalistic side. By filtering everyday life, which is often overlooked, he transforms it into a story.

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    #2

    Minimalist Tokyo street scene with person holding a yellow umbrella, crossing striped pavement.

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    #3

    Minimalist photo of a silhouette under an umbrella walking through a tunnel in Tokyo, casting geometric shadows.

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    We were curious if there’s a specific time or season the photographer prefers for his shoots that best complements his minimalist aesthetic. Shu responded: “There is no particular season, but my favorite time is from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, when the sunlight is strong and gentle.”

    #4

    Minimalist shot of a person walking in a shadowy Tokyo passage, highlighting a hidden side of the city.

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    #5

    A person in a dimly lit passage captures a minimalist, hidden side of Tokyo.

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    The photographer also mentioned that the area around Tokyo Station is one of the most overlooked places in Tokyo, yet it has turned into one of his favorite spots for photography.

    #6

    Person walking in shadowy light patterns, capturing a hidden side of Tokyo through minimalist photography.

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    #7

    Silhouette of a person in a hat standing under a streetlight, capturing minimalist Tokyo atmosphere.

    shu_._photo Report

    Lastly, we asked Shu if he had ever captured a scene that felt like a perfect accident—something unplanned but strikingly minimalist. The photographer responded: “I think I can continue taking photos because I haven't yet found the perfect scene.”

    #8

    Minimalist photo of a lone figure walking down a shadow-lined corridor in Tokyo.

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    #9

    Minimalist shot capturing a quiet side of Tokyo, featuring a woman in a vibrant dress, illuminated by soft light.

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    #10

    Silhouette of a woman through an oval window, depicting a hidden side of Tokyo in a minimalist style.

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    #11

    A minimalist shot of a man in Tokyo walking through dramatic shadows, capturing a quiet, hidden side.

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    #12

    Minimalist shot of a person walking in a dimly lit corridor in Tokyo with striking light patterns.

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    #13

    Umbrella in rain under streetlight, capturing Tokyo's quiet, hidden side with minimalist style.

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    #14

    Minimalist shot of a person walking in a dimly lit passageway in Tokyo, under a skylight, capturing a quiet moment.

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    #15

    Minimalist photograph of a person with an umbrella, capturing a hidden side of Tokyo in a play of light and shadow.

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    #16

    A lone figure under an umbrella in a minimalist, hidden side of Tokyo.

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    #17

    A woman walks alone in a minimalist Tokyo hallway, showcasing a hidden, quiet side of the city.

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    #18

    A person walks alone in a shadowy, minimalist setting, capturing a quiet side of Tokyo.

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    #19

    Minimalist photo of Tokyo capturing a lone figure in shadow near a softly lit window.

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    #20

    Minimalist shot of a person with an umbrella walking by red columns, capturing Tokyo's quiet side.

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    #21

    Man walking in shadow against a brick wall in Tokyo, showcasing minimalist photography style.

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    #22

    Silhouette of a person walking past a yellow van in Tokyo, showcasing minimalist photography.

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    #23

    Minimalist shot of Tokyo; a person with a colorful umbrella stands in a dimly lit, empty corridor.

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    #24

    Minimalist photo of an empty concrete amphitheater in Tokyo with a lone red umbrella on the ground.

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    #25

    Minimalist shot of a person walking quietly on a street in Tokyo, viewed from above, near red mailboxes.

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    #26

    Minimalist shot of a person walking through a narrow sunlit path in Tokyo.

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    #27

    Minimalist shot of a silhouette walking in dramatic shadows on a textured wall in Tokyo.

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    #28

    Minimalist photo of a person walking in shadow near a stone wall and streetlamp in Tokyo.

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    #29

    Minimalist shot of a lone figure walking through sunlit tiles in a quiet, hidden side of Tokyo.

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    #30

    Minimalist shot of Tokyo, featuring a person with a red umbrella standing under a streetlamp at night.

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    #31

    Minimalist photography in Tokyo: person in yellow coat crossing a dimly lit street at night.

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    #32

    A lone figure walks through a softly lit area in Tokyo, highlighting its quiet, hidden side in a minimalist scene.

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    #33

    Minimalist photo capturing a shadowy figure in a quiet, hidden corner of Tokyo.

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    #34

    Minimalist shot of Tokyo with a person under a dimly lit umbrella, showcasing a quiet, hidden scene.

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    #35

    Minimalist shot of a solitary figure in Tokyo, walking through geometric shadows in a dimly lit space.

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    #36

    A person walks alone on a dimly lit path in Tokyo, capturing its quiet, hidden side in minimalist photography.

    shu_._photo Report

    #37

    Minimalist shot of a silhouette in a dark Tokyo hallway, highlighting a hidden, quiet side of the city.

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    #38

    Minimalist shot of a lone figure walking through shadow patterns, capturing a quiet side of Tokyo.

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    #39

    Quiet Tokyo scene with a solitary figure in blue on a geometric patterned path, capturing a hidden minimalist moment.

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    #40

    Minimalist photo of a person walking along a shadowed, textured wall in a quiet corner of Tokyo.

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    #41

    Silhouette of a woman against a minimalist Tokyo skyline with birds flying above.

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    #42

    Minimalist photo of a person with an umbrella in a hidden side of Tokyo, against a backdrop of geometric shadows.

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    #43

    Minimalist shot of two people walking in a shadowed street, highlighting a hidden side of Tokyo.

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    #44

    Minimalist photo of a person sitting alone against a textured wall in Tokyo, highlighting the city's quiet, hidden side.

    shu_._photo Report

    #45

    Person partially obscured by shadows in minimalist Tokyo setting, highlighting hidden side of city.

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    #46

    Person holding a lantern on a beach, silhouetted against a vivid sunset sky, reflecting minimalist Tokyo photography style.

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    #47

    Minimalist shot of a person walking through a dimly lit, hidden area under an overpass in Tokyo.

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    #48

    Minimalist photo of a person walking on a bridge in Tokyo, emphasizing a quiet and hidden side of the city.

    shu_._photo Report

    #49

    Person with red umbrella on Tokyo crosswalk at night, showcasing minimalist photography style.

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    #50

    A lone person sitting by a tree, showcasing a minimalist and quiet side of Tokyo.

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    #51

    A woman walks in the shadows of a Tokyo street, showcasing a minimalist, hidden side of the city.

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    #52

    Minimalist shot of a lone figure walking down a dimly lit, deserted street in Tokyo.

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    #53

    Minimalist shot of a silhouette against a textured orange background, capturing the hidden side of Tokyo.

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    #54

    Minimalist shot of a hidden side of Tokyo, featuring a person with a red umbrella in a dimly lit alley.

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    #55

    A minimalist shot of Tokyo, showing a person in pink standing against a large building with a shadowed facade.

    shu_._photo Report

    #56

    Silhouette of a person and streetlamp against a Tokyo skyline at sunset, showcasing a hidden, minimalist side of the city.

    shu_._photo Report

    #57

    Minimalist shot of a person with a striped umbrella in a shadowed archway in Tokyo.

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    #58

    Minimalist image of a person holding a yellow umbrella in a dark, quiet setting, representing a hidden side of Tokyo.

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    #59

    Minimalist photograph of Tokyo, showing a silhouette with a blue umbrella against geometric shadows.

    shu_._photo Report

    #60

    A person in a red skirt walks past a dark, minimalist Tokyo building, capturing a quiet, hidden side.

    shu_._photo Report

    #61

    A lone figure walks through shadows in Tokyo, captured in a minimalist black-and-white style.

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    #62

    Minimalist Tokyo: Person with red umbrella walks past colorful awnings on a rainy street.

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    #63

    Person with red umbrella walks on patterned pavement showcasing minimalist Tokyo photography.

    shu_._photo Report

    #64

    Person with red umbrella walking through a dimly lit street in Tokyo, capturing a minimalist and quiet scene.

    shu_._photo Report

    #65

    Minimalist photography of Tokyo, showing a person with a pink umbrella crossing a quiet street.

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    #66

    Minimalist shot of a person holding a red umbrella against a stark yellow and black background in Tokyo.

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    #67

    Person walking in shadows, showcasing a quiet, hidden side of Tokyo through minimalist photography.

    shu_._photo Report

    #68

    Minimalist shot of Tokyo; a person in a hat stands beneath a red pedestrian light, casting a shadow on the street.

    shu_._photo Report

    #69

    Silhouette of a person walking through a misty, shadowy alleyway in Tokyo, illustrating minimalist photography.

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    #70

    A child reaching for a yellow balloon under dappled light, capturing a quiet, hidden side of Tokyo in a minimalist style.

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    #71

    Minimalist shot of a lone person walking on a sunlit, patterned pavement in Tokyo.

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    #72

    Minimalist shot of a person sitting alone on a bench, capturing a quiet side of Tokyo.

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    #73

    Minimalist photo capturing a quiet side of Tokyo with a solitary figure in a light coat beside a tall streetlamp.

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    #74

    Minimalist photo of a woman in a brown sweater walking through a shadowed archway, capturing a quiet side of Tokyo.

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    #75

    A person in traditional clothing walks under a streetlight, showcasing Tokyo's hidden minimalist beauty.

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