Let’s go back to 2020, a year that had an impact on every human being on the planet. I got to Tokyo at the beginning of February that year, just as people were starting to talk about something strange brewing on the horizon. Before I knew it, the pandemic hit. Flights were cancelled and the Japanese government asked people to stay home. Fortunately, no further laws were passed to contain the outbreak. Most tourists suddenly left the country, leaving Tokyo in a completely different situation.

Normally bustling areas like Shibuya, Ueno Station, and Akihabara were totally deserted. The empty streets and cityscapes were calling out to me, and I spent many nights exploring the vast Tokyo metropolitan area by bicycle, camera in hand. It was a unique opportunity to experience Tokyo during this time. It felt like I had the city to myself, capturing shots of places that are typically vibrant and filled with people.