Yopparai Tengoku - Drunkards Heaven

Many of us love a drink after work, and many of us, including myself, can share accounts of nights that have 'gone wrong' when a tipping point has been breached and the point of no return is well passed - also known as regret. 

In Japan, some hard working businessmen and women are known for drinking as hard as they work, going on until they reach their absolute limit. This forms the basis and inspiration for a photography project called Yopparai Tengoku (Drunkards’ Heaven) by Japanese Photographer Kenji Kawamoto.

“My photographs are a record of the people who have reached this limit and exhausted their strength after the daily grind. Each one has a different story, but everyone lives at a frantic pace. People drink with friends as a reward for the hard day’s work and to get ready for the next, just like ancient warriors would – A lot of people struggle through such hard working situations.

We can all relate to that. 

All images © Kenji Kawamoto