Like many foreign nationals in Japan, I love living here and can't imagine living anywhere else. I always encourage foreign designers and other creatives to spend time in Japan if they can. For creatives, the design lessons and inspirations are everywhere. Add to that the culture's rich history — including the Zen arts — and the incredible food and famous hospitality, and this is just about the perfect place to study and experience personal and professional growth, especially as it relates to creativity and learning to see and think differently. For many foreign creatives who come here — designers, photographers, architects, artists, writers, etc. — the experience is even life changing. The massive city of Tokyo is but one aspect of Japan that offers its own unique, rich tapestry of visual intrigue and inspiration. It's hard to capture the essence of what Tokyo feels like, but this 5-minute video presentation by Joan Jimenez (Spain) is one of the best short pieces I have ever seen on Tokyo. If you have been to Tokyo, this may bring back memories. If you have not yet been, this video does a good job of giving you the feel for the place. This is a very creative way to show Tokyo.

I love this presentation. Joan has a great eye and makes good use of lines and shapes and movement by taking a lot of tight shots, etc. I do not know how the cinematic effect was achieved in this case. (In Photoshop you can adjust Curves to obtain a similar effect with images.) Some cameras like the Sony HDR-HC7 have a cinematic mode which records in 24 frames with a film-like effect. You can also play with the contrast, saturation, and brightness in video software like Final Cut I assume. This effect makes the darks very dark, whites very white, some colors very saturated, etc. so you lose some of the fine detail, which is the intent. I do not know how he did it (since I do not read Spanish), but I love it. Joan's inspired me to make a similar short film once we move out to countryside in Nara next year.
 
H/T Manu