"Homeless Man in Ueno, Tokyo."
Description
"I’m drawn to overlooked details, the scenes travellers often ignore in pursuit of postcard-perfect moments. This photo began as a color shot, but the truth of Ueno’s homeless man only emerged in black and white. He sat alone in a vast, empty square, his wheeled belongings beside him, just steps from museums and meeting places, spaces for those with homes. Japan’s government reports 3,000–4,000 homeless citizens, though NGOs estimate 10,000, including "hidden" cases (internet cafés, cars). Yet the trend is positive: numbers have dropped sharply since 2003’s 25,000. Most cluster in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama; Ueno Park, where I took this, is a known gathering spot. For context: Germany recorded 277,000 homeless people in 2022. Globally, the crisis grows, but in Japan, it’s receding. A holiday should be about relaxation and joy, bringing home beautiful memories. But don’t look away when you encounter something that doesn’t fit the postcard-perfect cliché."Try it!
