Samurai Festival 2024
Capture Tokyo’s Samurai Festival 2024. A photographer’s look at sword fights, Onna-musha, and Sengoku era shows at Ueno Park.
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Photographing the Return of Koenji Awa Odori
Photographing Koenji Awa Odori 2023: Tips for capturing Tokyo’s massive dance festival with 12,000 dancers & 1 million spectators. See photos!
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Shimokitazawa Awa Odori 2023
I was finally at Shimokitazawa Awa Odori 2023. After a five-year wait, I was finally back. The sound of taiko drums echoed through the narrow streets I hadn’t walked on since 2018. This wasn’t just any festival but an explosion of noise, color, tradition, dance and music. For a photographer, it was a dream and…
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Kameido Tenjin Chrysanthemum Festival 2021
A visit to the Kameido Tenjin Shrine Chrysanthemum Festival in 2021 left me with mixed feelings. The shrine is renowned for its wisteria and plum blossoms, but the autumn floral display, though pleasant, didn’t reach the same heights. It prompted a reflection on what could have been. For those unfamiliar with Kameido Tenjin, a grand…
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Shimokitazawa Awa Odori Photography Guide
Every August, the Shimokitazawa Awa Odori brings energy, dance, and music to Tokyo’s summer. It’s one of my favorite night events in the city. The locals turn out in droves to provide a festival with an incredible, welcoming atmosphere. I often look back at the photos I took in 2023, and they always remind me…
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Bujin-ga: Masayuki Kojo’s Samurai Portraits
This article was originally written in 2022 (on the now defunct Tokyo-in-Pics.com) to cover Masayuki Kojo’s stunning “Preparation” exhibit at the Kanda Myojin shrine. While the exhibit has concluded, the art of Bujin-ga (samurai portraits) and the incredible work of this artist continue to captivate audiences. This updated post serves as an introduction to Masayuki…
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Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2018
Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2018 taught me a valuable lesson in photography: sometimes, you can’t win. A sudden warm snap coaxed the delicate wisteria into an early bloom, catching many, including myself, by surprise. Though the festival was scheduled to run until May 6th, by the time I arrived on April 22nd, the famous cascading…
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Kanda Matsuri 2025
A photographer’s first Kanda Matsuri! Learn about this historic Tokyo Shinto festival, its key events, and get practical photo tips for your visit.
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Kameido Tenjin
Step into Kameido Tenjin, the shrine immortalized by Hiroshige! Discover stunning wisteria, drum bridges & Skytree views. A photographer’s delight.
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Blue Impulse: Shooting the Paralympic Flyover in Tokyo
See Japan’s Blue Impulse aerobatic team fly for the Tokyo Paralympics! Photos & insights into photographing the Kawasaki T-4s despite challenges.
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Rikugien Gardens Light-Up (2026)
Get 8 insider tips for the 2026 Rikugien Gardens autumn light-up! Learn the best photo spots, how to avoid the crowds, and have a truly magical night in Tokyo.
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Mitama Festival 2025
A photographer’s experience at Mitama Festival 2025. Learn how to capture stunning shots of the mikoshi and 30,000 lanterns at night. Pro tips & FAQ inside!
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Japan U-19 National Cricket Academy Trials 2021
Exclusive photos from the Japan U-19 National Academy Squad 2021 trials. See future cricket stars in action and get insights into sports photography.
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Supercars at Ginkgo Avenue
Capturing supercars at Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue. See why yellow ginkgo trees provided the perfect background for autumn photography.
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Kanda Myojin Photo Guide
Discover Kanda Myojin: Tokyo’s 1300-year-old shrine famed for business gods, architecture, & the massive Kanda Matsuri. Find it near Akihabara.
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Tokyo Rainbow Bridge: 2020 Pandemic Lighting
See rare photos of the 2020 Tokyo Rainbow Bridge alert colors. Learn about the blue and red lighting and the best Odaiba photography spots.
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Why Does Japan Have Two Religions?
In modern Japan, you’ll find many religions, but we are going to talk about its dominant two, Shinto and Buddhism. They serve fundamentally different but complementary purposes. The former focuses on life and nature, while the latter provides spiritual guidance for the soul and the afterlife. Rather than competing, they merged over time into a…
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Tokyo Imperial Palace Winter Illumination Photos
The Tokyo Imperial Palace winter illumination is a seasonal event where historic gates and keeps are lit at night. Located on the eastern side near Tokyo Station, this display offers photographers a rare chance to capture long exposures of the Seimon and Otemon gates reflecting in the palace moat during the colder months. One evening,…
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Dango
Dango is a traditional Japanese dumpling made from rice flour transformed into chewy, bite-sized spheres. Usually served three to five on a skewer, these snacks are either grilled or boiled and topped with sweet soy glaze or red bean paste. They are an affordable, staple street food found across Japan. Imagine a soft, chewy snack…
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Zojoji Tanabata Festival 2022
The Zojoji Tanabata Festival is a traditional Japanese celebration held every July at Zojoji Temple. It features thousands of hand-lit candles arranged like the Milky Way, set against the backdrop of Tokyo Tower. This event is a prime location for night photography and experiencing ancient Japanese folklore within a modern city setting. As an Amazon…
