For me, the Hanegi Park plum blossoms heralded the arrival of spring in 2023. While winter wasn’t truly over, seeing the tranquil park burst with fragrant pink and white blooms made it feel that way. Yes, warmer weather wasn’t far away.
Visiting Hanegi Park during plum blossom season is a must for any photographer. The sheer number of flowers creates a breathtaking backdrop, offering a perfect opportunity to capture the essence of early spring, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting.
Navigating a cloudy, crowded festival
My hopes for a sunny photo session were quickly dashed by reality. When I arrived, it was cold, cloudy, and windy. To top it off, the park was crowded but that was to be expected as I went on a Sunday. The Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival (official website) was in full swing, a welcome sight after several pandemic-related cancellations.
Originally, I planned to include people in my shots to capture the festival atmosphere. However, the dull, gray conditions made that difficult. I decided to shift my focus entirely to the flowers themselves.
Making the best of the photographic conditions
Focusing on the flowers proved to be a good decision. Even without a dedicated macro lens, I was happy with my photos. My flash, a regular part of my kit, brought out the colors of the blossoms against the gray, mushy sky.
I had brought my extension tubes, but the strong winds made me hesitant to use them. Focusing manually in such gusty conditions would be nearly impossible as the flowers bounced around nonstop. But in hindsight, I regret not giving it a try.
Was Hanegi Park 2023 worth it?
Hanegi Park is a location that has grown on me over the years. I wasn’t always thrilled with my results here, which I now suspect might have been due to my own developing photography technique for plum blossoms. It’s a place I highly recommend. So grab your camera and head there to capture the beauty of Tokyo’s beloved plum blossoms for yourself.
One thing that surprised me was how many flowers were already in full bloom, even though the festival had just started. I wasn’t expecting them to look so good so early! Are you ready to see the blossoms for yourself? I’ve compiled [A Guide to the Setagaya Ume Matsuri at Hanegi Park] which has all the information you need to know about the event.
Photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm 16-55 mm f/2.8 lens
- Flash: Godox V850II
