Discovering Tokyo by Bike and by Comic in ‘Tokyo Sanpo’

While living in Tokyo for six months with his partner, Florent Chavouet began to sketch the details of his everyday life, and compiled them in a playful, colourful piece of work, Tokyo Sanpo. The author’s meticulous lines reveal a Tokyo where nothing escapes the keen eye of an observer having recently arrived in the Japanese capital.

A travel journal in the form of a guide

In a humorous tone, he shares his vision of Tokyo life, from improbable trips to the konbini to the subtleties of Japanese housing and a compilation of Tokyoites’ different clothing styles. Florent Chavouet also provides information on the layout of certain districts in the city through maps where he shows his favourite locations, and shares a few anecdotes in passing.

Engaging, funny and captivating, Tokyo Sanpo is not to be missed by lovers of Japan, and especially Tokyo.

Tokyo Sanpo (2009), a comics drawned by Florent Chavouet and published by Philippe Picquier (not currently available in English).