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 do not speak the language? For Koek, photography became the means to bridge that distance and capture intimacy. Visiting sumo stables, private homes, and everyday rituals – such as a barber reshaping the topknot of a young wrestler after morning training – he documents small, human moments.

What initially seemed like familiar clichés became an invitation to look closer. By presenting the familiar from a tender perspective, Koek reveals the shared humanity behind urban life. The result is a vision of Tokyo as a city of organised chaos, where daily life unfolds – work, commuting, caring for family and loved ones. For Koek, the soul of the city lies not in exoticism, but in the connections he is able to make with its inhabitants.

Mythical Tokyo

Tokyo is a dream destination for many travellers. Influenced by social media and popular Japanese animation, the city is often imagined through images of women in kimono, blooming cherry trees, and neon-lit streets. Koek places these icons in their everyday context: the kimono as part of urban life, sumo not as a spectacle but in a familiar home setting, and neighbourhood shrines as intimate spaces in daily life.

His open, observant approach shows that understanding comes not from quick interpretation, but from patient looking. In this way, Tokyo becomes not only a subject, but also a mirror – a place where the perspective of the other becomes visible.

Richard Koek (Ilpendam, 1965) moved to New York to pursue his passion for photography. His photo books New York New York and Tokyo Tokyo were both published by Terra Publishers. His work is held in international collections, and he photographs for media, companies, and non-profit organisations worldwide.

This exhibition is accompanied by the photo book Tokyo Tokyo, previously published, and a varied programme of activities for all ages that offers a deeper insight into Tokyo Tokyo. Children aged 6 to 12 can enjoy a free treasure hunt.