Freestanding units on wheels dominate the kitchen floor, leaving only the narrowest of walkways to manoeuvre between appliances. Each unit serves a function: storing cups and crockery, keeping laundry baskets within reach, or holding bundled newspapers—it would be mottainai to throw them away¹. The rice cooker and fish grill rest on the freezer while the microwave teeters atop the refrigerator. Cleaning products fill the remaining gaps, and cloths and aprons dangle from handles and hooks, accented by select pieces of Snoopy paraphernalia.

All in all, it’s a pragmatic use of space. At first glance, the kitchen may seem cluttered, but every item is within reach for those who know where to look—a balance of efficiency and individuality. It’s one of over 300 images from Kyoichi Tsuzuki’s seminal documentary photobook, Tokyo Style.

Throughout the book, Tsuzuki chronicles Japanese living spaces from the early 1990s, gathered over two years as he navigated the neighbourhoods on his 50cc scooter. As a collection, the photographs form a distinct image: residents’ personalities manifest through their belongings, which often appear excessive within the confines of their compact homes. Yet, his subjects were not curated; in most cases, he had no knowledge of what lay beyond each door. He photographed each space as he found it—untouched, unstaged.