Raymond Larabie

@rlarabie.bsky.social

403 Followers 265 Following

Documenting the unpolished charm of Nagoya's urban life. 名古屋の飾らない都市の魅力を記録するアーティスト#streetphotography #ricohgr3 #nagoya #japan

A white exterior wall is covered with small wooden illustrated plaques showing animals and zodiac-like figures, arranged in two loose rows below a dark window with patterned glass. A small warning sign is posted on the left, concrete bollards line the bottom edge, and a glossy red ornamental roof tile sits centered near the ground like it is also waiting for votes.
A small older house is photographed from across the street in deep blue-purple light. The tiled roof dominates the frame, with a tarp-covered section on the left, plants and low fencing in front, corrugated siding and patterned wall panels under the eaves, and newer houses partly visible behind it.
A close view of a residential entrance with a faded red newspaper box mounted beside a brown sliding glass door. The box shows signs of age, with worn paint and a cracked label area. Behind the textured glass panels, a small hanging toy is faintly visible, suspended near the center of the frame.
A black-and-white view of an industrial warehouse facade with corrugated metal siding and large painted Japanese characters across the upper wall. The open entrance leads into deep shadow, where a neatly stacked pile of sacks becomes visible only after looking closely. A glass block wall and angled pipe structure occupy the left side, while dim light reflects faintly across the concrete floor.
A black-and-white view of a narrow multi-story building with shuttered storefront doors at street level and rows of dark windows above. A large faded sign panel sits between the floors, its original lettering nearly erased by time and weather. Strong sunlight casts hard shadows across the facade, including the silhouette of a streetlight stretching down the center of the building.
A black-and-white view of a weathered building facade with corrugated metal roofing, patched walls, exposed wiring, and uneven wooden supports. A chain-link fence runs across the foreground, partially blocking air conditioning units, small windows, and stacked utility fixtures. On the right side, a dense shrub grows beside the structure, adding texture against the layered metal and wood surfaces.
A frontal view of a narrow storefront with sliding glass doors and a decorative band of circular patterns running across the upper facade. A small potted cactus sits beside the entrance near a dark utility box, while an outdoor air conditioning unit occupies the right side. White siding, exposed conduit pipes, and a low brick planter with a single red flower create a carefully ordered streetside arrangement.
A frontal view of a small restaurant with a wooden exterior. A large menu board with Japanese text and prices is mounted above the entrance, and a row of yellow paper lanterns hangs just below it. Two metal exhaust pipes extend outward above a frosted window, and sliding glass doors form the entrance at street level. A green crate sits on the ground near the doorway.
A close-up of a residential entry shows a metal mailbox attached beneath a frosted window, heavily wrapped in strips of tape and tilting slightly forward. The wall is covered in small brown tiles, and a wooden sliding door sits to the left. Several plastic and ceramic plant pots are clustered on the ground below, some empty and some with small plants.
A parking payment machine stands centered beneath an overpass, framed by concrete pillars. The unit has a lit digital screen, buttons, and card slots, with cables looping neatly along its sides. An orange backing panel and overhead piping structure frame the machine, while a parked car and dim background recede behind it.
A partially opened metal shutter reveals the interior wall of a small shop. The exposed section shows a dense grid of colorful sake labels arranged on vertical wooden panels. The right side remains covered by the dark shutter, while warm interior light contrasts with the cooler tones of the exterior.
A close-up of a building corner where a vertical blue metal post is wrapped repeatedly with strips of worn tape. Next to it is a sliding metal door with frosted glass panels. The surrounding wall is dark and textured, while sunlight streams in from the upper right, creating a soft flare and illuminating the taped area against the otherwise shadowed scene.
A black-and-white low-angle view of a multi-story apartment building with rounded, stacked balconies clad in small tiles. The structure rises sharply into a dark, overcast sky that forms a bright halo around the top. A utility pole with cables stands to the left, partially silhouetted, emphasizing the building’s height and the upward perspective.
A black-and-white close view of a building wall with two electric meter boxes mounted side by side beneath rounded metal vent hoods. Thick conduit pipes curve down from the meters toward the ground. To the right, a wooden rack holds several cylindrical paper lanterns with bold Japanese characters. Strong sunlight creates deep shadows across the wall and equipment, emphasizing the contrast between the industrial hardware and the traditional lanterns.
A wide cemetery spreads across the middle of the frame with rows of stone gravestones and monuments. The low sun sits high in the bright sky, casting long shadows across a dry dirt foreground. A cluster of trees stands to the right, and low buildings from the surrounding city appear faintly along the horizon behind the graves. Above, the sky transitions from bright white near the sun to deep blue with thin textured clouds.
A vertical brushed metal sign stands on a concrete base in a parking lot. Large numbers 3, 2, and 4 are paired with the kanji for floor and bold directional arrows pointing left and right. The metal surface fades from pale silver at the top to deep blue at the bottom. Parked cars, a low white building, and a taller striped structure appear softly in the background under a tree canopy.
The Hemi Head character set.
A streetside view of a vertical sign mounted on a beige building corner. At the top, a brown logo cleverly arranges the letters of “Coffee” into a compact, almost abstract design that reads like a symbol before it reads as text. Below it are green katakana characters and a red arrow pointing toward parking. Exposed pipes, an electric meter box, and a blue metal shutter fill the left side, while a blue-gray apartment building with stacked balconies stands across the narrow street.
A black-and-white photograph of a schoolyard clock mounted on a dark post with a small corrugated metal roof. Beneath the clock face is a bulletin board. A chain-link fence runs across the foreground, and a multi-story school building stands behind it. The sky is filled with dense, textured clouds that create a mottled backdrop above the scene.
A mid-rise apartment building photographed from below against a deep blue sky. On the rooftop, a cluster of cell antennas rises beside a white spherical tank mounted on metal supports. The sphere casts a sharp circular shadow onto the pale exterior wall. Dark power lines run diagonally across the frame, and stacked balconies with black railings line the right side of the building.
A black-and-white street photograph shows the entrance of a small nightclub in Kanayama, Nagoya. A triangular awning above the door reads “MEMBERS,” with sharp shadows from overhead cables cutting across it. The doorway sits dark and closed, flanked by potted plants and signage, suggesting a place at rest during the day—quiet now, but clearly built for late nights and later mornings.
Several parked bicycles fill the foreground, with a clear focus on their black saddles catching warm sunlight. Behind them stands a striped building wall in beige and brown tones, with a small loading area and stacked crates.
A low-angle view of a restaurant exterior shows rows of red and yellow paper lanterns hanging under the eaves. Blue sky fills the background, intersected by power poles and a web of cables. Air-conditioning units and metal brackets line the wall, grounding the bright colors in everyday utility.
A tall electricity pylon rises in the center of a black-and-white frame, its web of power lines stretching across a heavy, clouded winter sky. Dark building edges compress the scene on both sides, emphasizing the height and tension of the wires.
A narrow street view in Nagoya frames a barbershop window with a bold red, white, and blue barber pole graphic. Reflections of the street and signage overlap the glass, while deep shadows suggest winter light and cold air.
A color photograph of a weathered wooden building in warm afternoon light. The wall is made of vertical wooden planks with patches of corrugated metal and visible wear. In front sits a small white plastic doghouse with a bright red roof, surrounded by scattered boards, dry grass, and debris. Pipes and a faded poster are mounted on the wall to the right. The scene feels quiet and slightly humorous, with the tidy doghouse contrasting against the building’s rough, neglected textures.
A color photograph of a tall vertical café sign mounted on the side of a building. The sign reads “nonnon” in large pink letters, with a small logo and Japanese text for Wada Coffee near the bottom. Beneath the sign is a yellow rotating warning light. In the background, power lines crisscross a bright blue sky, a pale daytime moon is visible, and autumn leaves in shades of yellow and red frame the right side of the image.
A color photograph taken from a low angle. In the foreground stands a large red spherical sculpture made of cut-out kanji characters, forming an airy lattice. Behind it rises a tall station sign reading 自由ヶ丘駅 (Jiyugaoka Station) against a clear blue evening sky.
A color photograph of a pedestrian overpass stairway shot from the side. Bright blue railings run diagonally across the frame, with a decorative panel featuring a repeating pattern of circular rings. Behind the railing, trees with vivid red autumn leaves peek through, contrasting with the cool blue metal.
A color photograph of an outdoor utility area. An old washing machine stands on the ground in front of weathered metal doors stained with rust. Above it hang rows of blue mop heads on a metal rack. To the right, a bright red sign with a large white arrow points left, leaning casually against the wall.
A color photograph taken from an elevated position overlooking a road at sunset. Cars move quickly, creating soft motion blur along the lanes. Power lines and utility poles crisscross the scene. In the distance, the large domed roof of Nagoya Dome rises above low buildings, lit warmly by the setting sun under a pale blue-green sky.
A color photo of a flat rooftop covered with a dark tarp-like surface. Small white cinder blocks are placed sporadically across it, catching warm orange light from the setting sun. In the background are rooftops, trees, and apartment buildings, all bathed in the same soft glow.
A dark nighttime photo of a narrow, sloping street covered in scattered yellow leaves. The scene is illuminated by a single warm streetlight, casting a golden glow over the pavement. A striped utility pole stands on the left, and the road curves into deeper shadow ahead.
A color photo of an old, weathered building in Nagoya taken at dusk. A yellow tarp hangs loosely across its faded blue facade, while a nearly bare tree with a few red leaves stands in front. The early evening sky is deep blue, with a bright half-moon visible above. A telephone pole and stray cables frame the scene, giving it a melancholy, cinematic stillness typical of early winter.
A color photo showing a few vivid red leaves hanging from nearly bare branches against a blue sky streaked with thin clouds. Below them stands a mid-rise building topped with multiple cell antennas. Power lines crisscross the scene, and soft late-afternoon light warms the edges.
Description for the visually impaired: A color photo of a street corner featuring a blue and white parking sign reading “P 6.7” with a red arrow pointing left. Behind it, a vertical “COFFEE” sign hangs beside a red brick wall. A crosswalk, utility pole, and residential houses fill the background under a vivid blue sky.
A color photo of a small fruit and vegetable shop in Nagoya. The space is crowded with cardboard boxes stacked high, each with handwritten price tags. Oranges and apples dominate the front, glowing under warm hanging bulbs. A man in a teal work uniform and helmet stands in the foreground, while another man in a colorful shirt moves about inside.
A color photo of a temple at Kakuōzan in Nagoya, viewed through vertical black bars in the foreground. The temple’s wooden architecture and sweeping tiled roof stand out against a vivid blue sky. A few visitors and a small white van are visible near the entrance.
A black-and-white photo of a narrow urban street in Nagoya. Sunlight falls sharply on one side of a wooden building, illuminating a weathered sign with Japanese text while the rest remains in shadow. Power lines crisscross above the street, and apartment buildings line the background. The contrast between bright light and deep shadow gives the scene a cinematic stillness.
A black-and-white photo of a quiet Nagoya street scene. The building façade is made of corrugated metal, lit by sharp sunlight that casts deep shadows from nearby structures. A bicycle leans against a utility pole in front, next to a pedestrian crossing sign. The textures of metal, shadow, and light create an unexpectedly warm, nostalgic feeling despite the industrial materials.
A color photo of a vegetable and mikan (orange) garden with a spooky scarecrow figure standing tall at the center. The scarecrow has a skeletal mask and tattered black robes, resembling a ghostly reaper. Behind it is a beige apartment building, and the sky glows deep blue, giving the scene an eerie yet oddly cheerful contrast between ripe fruit and haunting presence.
A color photo of an old storefront with a faded turquoise awning and partially closed metal shutters. The sign above reads “荒川カメラ” (Arakawa Camera). The left side of the shop is dark and empty, while on the right a pale pink car is parked halfway inside the garage. A small cactus and potted plant sit neatly on the ground out front, adding a touch of life to the otherwise still, sunlit scene.
A color photo showing two motorcycles reflected in a panel of old, deteriorating mirrored glass. The glass is scratched and peeling, with silvering that has flaked away in jagged patches, distorting the reflections into abstract shapes. Warm tones of gold and blue mix with the cool metal frame, creating a layered, weathered texture that turns a simple reflection into something painterly.
A color photo of a beige stucco building with a latticed window above and bright green letters on the wall reading “コーポUS.” The sunlight casts warm shadows across the textured surface, and a clean blue sky fills the right side of the frame.
A color photo showing a glowing hexagonal shop sign with a red kanji character at its center. The sign juts out from a textured wall painted dark blue and beige. Above and beside it, a security camera and light fixtures echo the angular shapes.
A color photo of a weathered two-story building that once housed a bicycle shop. The structure is patched with corrugated metal sheets, faded wood, and peeling paint. A partly broken window with a rusted shutter dominates the upper half, while the lower part shows darkened boards and a crooked wooden door. Above, a red and white sign still advertises the shop.
A color photo of the exterior wall of an old house in Nagoya. The wall is a patchwork of materials: turquoise and pale blue sheet metal panels at the bottom, a strip of dark wooden boards above them, and faded plaster near the roof. A green-paned window sits to the left, while an electric meter is fixed to the wall on the right. Overhead, utility cables curl against the roofline.
A color photo of an industrial scene near train tracks in Nagoya. The foreground is filled with tall, dry golden-brown grass in sharp focus. Behind it, partly obscured, is a truck with Japanese text on the side and a large white tarp covering an unidentified object. A chain-link fence separates the lot from the railway structure and a simple white building.
A color photo of a narrow, peach-colored house with blue roof tiles and a triangular gable. The upper windows resemble angry eyes, while the wooden front door looks like a stern, tight mouth. Potted plants crowd the entrance, forming what looks like a beard. The overall impression is of a grumpy face glaring out at the street.
A color photo of a small kissaten (coffee shop) in Nagoya. The building has a faux-European brick façade with two blacked-out upstairs windows. A vivid red vertical banner in front reads “日替りランチ” (daily lunch) in bold white letters. A small tree grows beside the doorway, partly shading the air conditioning unit.
A color photo of a tall stone pagoda in a temple garden. The pagoda is lit warmly by sunlight, while thick green foliage surrounds it from all sides. The trees above create a lush canopy against a vivid blue sky. Despite being late September, the scene looks more like midsummer, with no hint of autumn color yet.
A color photo of a narrow stone pathway through lush greenery. Trees and ferns cast dappled shadows across the ground, while the far end of the lane glows brightly with intense sunlight. The contrast between the cool shade and the bright opening evokes the feeling of late summer giving way to what comes next.
A color photo of a quiet alley in Nagoya on a sunny day. The narrow paved path curves gently, bordered by green plants on the left and a fence and houses on the right. Telephone poles and wires stretch overhead, while the bright sun casts deep shadows on the ground. The image captures a sense of lingering summer heat balanced with the first hints of seasonal change.
A color photo showing a yellow Kirin beer crate filled with empty glass bottles. The crate is partly hidden by green ivy in the foreground, while another yellow plastic crate sits stacked to the right. Behind them is a wall of grid-patterned glass windows, reflecting trees, lamps, and hints of nearby buildings. The bright crate contrasts with the darker, layered reflections, creating a balance between everyday clutter and visual composition.
A color photo showing a rectangular orange board hanging on hooks, covering part of a wall. The surface is worn, and a rectangular outline of tape residue suggests something—a label or sign—was once affixed there but is now gone. To the right is a gridded window with blue glass, and below it sits an air conditioning unit.
A color photo of a Nagoya street scene with a tall vertical signpost attached to a building. The signs are stacked in different colors, including bright orange, deep red, and yellow, standing out against a clear blue sky. On the left side of the frame, an elevated highway in teal stretches into the distance. The composition brings together industrial structure and seasonal color, suggesting autumn through signage rather than trees.
A black-and-white photo of a dimly lit storage-like space. Against the right wall, a four-wheeled walker with a patterned seat is illuminated by a narrow beam of light. The rest of the scene—boxes, shelves, and a stained concrete wall—fades into darkness.
A color photo of a storefront in Nagoya taken in bright September sunlight. The left side has a half-open shutter revealing a dim interior, while the right side is a glass window packed with miscellaneous items—boxes, plants, and equipment. A vivid green bicycle is parked on the red-brick sidewalk in front, glowing against the muted tones of the building. The scene balances seasonal change: autumn on the calendar, but summer still clinging to the street.
A black-and-white photo of a Japanese doorway. The sliding glass door has vertical metal bars across it, but one of the glass panes is missing. In its place, a piece of cardboard has been taped up to cover the gap. To the right, an old, weathered mailbox with peeling paint is fixed to a wooden wall. The combination of repair, decay, and make-do solutions gives the entrance a quiet, improvised charm.
A black-and-white photo showing two sections of a weathered Japanese building façade. The upper part has a thick, decaying wooden shutter with visible cracks and peeling surfaces. Below, a smaller barred window sits next to a square iron shutter with a circular handle. The textures of rust, soot, and erosion dominate the scene, giving the impression that these shutters have withstood centuries of weather, fire, and possibly disinterest.