Berlin-based photographer Ivan Volodko has released a striking new photography series titled 横丁 (Yokochō) that captures the relentless energy and hidden corners of Tokyo through a cinematic, film noir aesthetic. Shot entirely on an iPhone, the moody collection of 30 images immerses viewers in the rhythm of Japan's capital city, from its crowded crossings and gleaming billboards to its quieter side alleys and tucked-away spaces.
Volodko's fascination with Japanese culture began years ago through anime, having watched over 300 different series before visiting the country in person. "The more I immersed myself in it, the more I became curious about the culture behind it: the traditions, the art, the aesthetics, and even the everyday details of life in Japan," the artist explains. When he finally experienced Tokyo firsthand during a trip with his girlfriend, the city exceeded all expectations. "Being there in person felt like stepping into a space I had imagined for a long time and the camera became a way to translate those first impressions into something tangible."
The series draws clear inspiration from renowned Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama's contrast-heavy, grainy images of Tokyo. Like the intensity often seen in anime shorts, many of Volodko's photographs intentionally capture motion and movement. "I was surrounded by movement, the streets, the trains, the constant flow of people. Shooting in motion allowed me to translate that rhythm directly into the photos," he explains. "To me, it feels closer to memory: when you look back on experiences, they don't appear as perfectly frozen images, but as fragments, gestures, and impressions."
Volodko's unconventional approach involved shooting most of the photos while actually moving himself, rather than holding the camera still. "That approach felt natural to me, because I'm less interested in static, perfectly sharp frames and more drawn to atmosphere, energy, and the feeling of a moment as it passes," he says. This technique creates images that feel alive with the kinetic energy of Tokyo's urban landscape.
The photographer's journey into visual arts began almost a decade earlier while studying economics and working at a shisha bar. "I remember watching new music videos every Thursday on the TVs in the bar, analyzing them for myself, and becoming fascinated by both the visual language and the craft behind them. That was really the spark that got me into both photography and filmmaking. I started them side by side." When the pandemic hit, he dedicated himself fully to pursuing photography, working bar shifts from afternoon until two or three in the morning, then spending the rest of the night studying photography and video techniques.
Despite bringing professional cameras to Tokyo, Volodko chose to shoot the entire project on his iPhone after being inspired by an Apple advertisement in Berlin that read "Hollywood in your hands." The lightweight and unobtrusive nature of the phone camera allowed him to move freely through Tokyo's streets, capturing authentic moments without interrupting the natural flow around him. "On the street, people are so used to seeing phones that they often ignore them completely, which makes the camera almost invisible," he adds.
The title Yokochō, meaning "side streets" or "alleys" in Japanese, reflects Volodko's exploration beyond Tokyo's main thoroughfares into quieter pockets of the city. These hidden spaces are filled with tiny bars, izakayas, and moments of respite that contrast sharply with the metropolis's relentless pace. "On the main streets in Tokyo everything feels fast, cars rushing by, masses of people, glowing neon, sounds from every direction. Then you turn into a side street and suddenly it's completely quiet. Those small, almost overlooked details became really important to me," the filmmaker explains.
Remarkably, despite being his first visit to Japan, many of the moments Volodko captured felt strangely familiar. "Even though it was my first time in Japan, many of the moments I captured felt strangely familiar, like memories I was experiencing for the first time but also recognizing at the same time," he reflects. This unique blend of distance and intimacy runs throughout the entire series, creating images that feel both foreign and deeply familiar to viewers.
The resulting collection presents Tokyo as a city in constant flux yet somehow perfectly balanced, where the vertiginous energy of crowded intersections coexists with the tranquil atmosphere of hidden alleyways. Through his film noir-inspired lens, Volodko has created a visual narrative that captures not just the appearance of Tokyo, but its essential spirit and rhythm.
