‘Aesthetics Japan’ Tweets the Beauty of Japan, From Neon Lights to Misty Mountaintops · Global Voices
N'Donna Russell

“Osaka, Japan” by Flickr user Pedro Szekely. Image license: CC BY-SA 2.0
There is no shortage of social media accounts devoted to posting fantastic photos of Japan. As street photographer Lee Chapman documents his daily life in Japan through photos, Instagram's Tokyo Camera Club offers stunning snaps of Tokyo and beyond to its over 400,000 followers. In a similar vein, Twitter account Aesthetics Japan posts various photos in order to encourage followers to appreciate the beauty of the archipelago through photos featuring its scenery, art, and food.
Here is just a selection of the images of Japan shared by this Twitter account.
Yasaka Pagoda | by yorozuya.yoh on Instagram pic.twitter.com/HhPbTjXDLs
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) October 30, 2017
Rainy Tokyo | by @torataroo11 pic.twitter.com/XLWyLlxP3c
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) November 2, 2017
The account was established in 2016 and today has more than 93,000 followers.
In an interview with Global Voices using Twitter's Direct Message tool, the account holder, who also runs an ecommerce site for anime fans, and who wishes to remain anonymous, said they started the account due to their love of everything Japan, an interest started in childhood: “It was traditional Edo architecture and nature that attracted me to it. Then as I grew older, the neon lights of Tokyo made me love it all over again.”
Everyday Life in Tokyo | by Takashi Yasui pic.twitter.com/5SqwECwJtX
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) November 4, 2017
Shibuya Nights | by moto_ph0t0 on Instagram pic.twitter.com/Hh2s55B4o6
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) November 16, 2017
In the interview, the author was quick to state that these photos are not their own. Instead, they curate the photos, which are sourced from Flickr, Twitter or other sources.
The account often contrasts Japan's glittering nightlife and natural scenes to show off various facets of the country. Night photos of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto feature prominently.
Memory Lane | by @liamwong pic.twitter.com/gKEVPoXywB
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) November 18, 2017
Shizuoka, Japan | by cww44 on Instagram pic.twitter.com/2DrbyVJIWm
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) November 21, 2017
Sunrise ☀️ | by @st19721 pic.twitter.com/2FfZEJ8FPr
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) November 29, 2017
The site also features assorted food photography, including adorable dishes from character cafes as well as cute bento boxes.
Latte Art from Reissue Cafe pic.twitter.com/yMakbviJgl
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) January 6, 2018
Shiba Inu Dumplings (みたら柴) pic.twitter.com/uqn6u4XhYT
— 日本 (@AestheticsJapan) December 15, 2017
Fans seem to appreciate the effort, with some being reminded of their own experiences in the Japan, while others are simply amazed by the quality of the curated photos.
This is so pretty
— Dugrik (@Elsaadi97) October 27, 2017