Tokyo Tokyo

Japan Museum will present Tokyo Tokyo, an exhibition by photographer Richard Koek. Fascinated by life in megacities, he focuses his lens on the people behind the familiar cityscape of Tokyo. By approaching the city as part of his own world, Koek discovers personal, authentic stories hidden behind the familiar clichés. He places cultural icons such as kimonos, sakura and sumo in their everyday context – not to confirm clichés, but to question them. Tokyo Tokyo invites us to reflect on what feels familiar and how attentive observation can deepen our understanding of a city. The result is a vivid portrait of Tokyo, in which personal stories, cultural traditions and shared humanity come together.

The soul of Tokyo

They say that language is the soul of a country — but how do you discover the soul of Tokyo if you don't speak the language? For photographer Koek, photography became the means to bridge that distance and capture closeness and intimacy. During visits to sumo wrestlers, people's homes and everyday rituals — such as a barber styling a young wrestler's topknot after morning training — he captured small, human moments.

Koek compares traditional Japanese images — kimonos, sakura, sumo and the tea ceremony — with Western icons such as yellow taxis, the Statue of Liberty and the neon lights of Times Square. What previously seemed like recognisable clichés became an invitation for him to look further. By showing the familiar from a tender perspective, he reveals the shared humanity behind urban life.

The result is an image of Tokyo as a city full of organised chaos, in which people go about their daily lives: from work and commuting to caring for family and loved ones. For Koek, the soul of the city lies not in its exoticism, but in the connection he can make with its inhabitants.

Catalogue and activities

This exhibition is accompanied by the photo book Tokyo Tokyo, previously published by Terra Publishers, as well as an extensive programme of activities. This varied programme for young and old offers further insight into the exhibition. There is a free treasure hunt for children aged 6 to 12.