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Three people smile for a photo in a busy city square. In the background, large buildings feature signs for “Forever 21”, “Starbucks Coffee” and “Taya”.

Meet Sari, the Tokyo tourist photobomber making her hobby into an artform

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Date
5 October 2012

Bit of a weird one here, but brilliant nonetheless. Art student Sari Yamagishi has politely asked groups of tourists in Tokyo if she can photobomb their holiday snaps, making it clear to them beforehand that she wants them to act as if she’s not there. The result is a kind of invisible wall separating her from the group of people, which is kind of hilarious as they both appear to be having such a jovial time. In Tokyo, where something like one in two people are tourists, Sari’s method of interacting with them and immortalising herself in their holiday snaps is charming and funny — solid proof that you don’t need an expensive camera or editing equipment for a truly successful photography project.

A group of people pose together in a narrow Japanese shopping street lined with awnings and storefronts. In the foreground, a person with glasses and a white T-shirt stands with their arms outstretched.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

Three people smile for a photo in a city. Behind them, the Tokyo Skytree rises into a cloudy grey sky next to a gold-coloured building.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

A group of eight people smile and pose for a photo outdoors. Behind them, the Tokyo Skytree rises between two modern skyscrapers under a pale sky.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

Three people lean against a red railing, smiling for a photo. Behind them, the Tokyo Skytree and several high-rise buildings stand against a pale sky.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

A group of people pose for a photo in front of a large red Japanese lantern. They stand together in a relaxed group, smiling at the camera.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

Three people stand together and smile for a photo on a busy city street. In the background, tall buildings are covered in large digital screens and signage, including a “Tsutaya” store.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

Five people stand together and smile for a photo in front of a glass building. Several of them give a thumbs-up gesture to the camera.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

Five people pose for a photo on a rooftop in Tokyo. Behind them, the Tokyo Skytree and several high-rise buildings stand against a cloudy sky.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

Three people sit together in front of a large, red conical structure. They smile at the camera, with the person in the centre resting their arms on the others' shoulders.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

Three people smile for a photo in front of a large red lantern at a temple entrance. A person in a white T-shirt and black skirt stands in the foreground, flanked by two others.
Above

Säri Yamagishi: With Sari in Tokyo

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About the Author

Liv Siddall

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Liv joined It’s Nice That as an intern in 2011 and worked across online, print and events, and was latterly Features Editor before leaving in May 2015.

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