I expected a more vibrant art scene, a city as daring in its exhibition spaces as it is in its architecture.

It wasn’t a photography show but a plunge into a parallel universe, a jubilant and uninhibited dialogue between painting, Japanese pop culture, video games and contemporary art.

I would have loved to meet one of the founders or directors of Objectifs, a non-profit gallery dedicated to photography and moving images, and one of the most inspiring in Singapore.

At the heart of Gillman Barracks, Sundaram Tagore Gallery conveys a quiet elegance.

The space, luminous and elegant, highlights a discerning selection of contemporary painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography.

Tokyo is a city you never finish discovering. I didn’t manage to see all the galleries and exhibitions I had planned. Here, everything moves fast, everything renews itself. The art scene is alive, constantly shifting, and every street feels like a potential exhibition space. 

My last visit in Tokyo was to a bookstore, just a short walk from my hotel. There are several Taka Ishii bookstores across the city, but this one is often recommended for its wider selection of art books and its small exhibition space.

I have a soft spot for Roppongi as it’s where I lived for two months during my very first stay in Japan.

I only managed to see two exhibitions at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum: Thought of a Distant Window and Innervisions by Pedro Costa

It’s not yet 6 p.m., but night is already settling over Shinjuku.

A red devil greets me and invites me in.