Every August, Koenji celebrates one of Japan’s most spirited traditions: the Awa Odori. Bringing the 400-year-old dance festival from its home in Tokushima Prefecture to the streets of the capital, the event sees the area around the station erupt in a frenzy of music and color. This is no small street fair. It’s Tokyo’s biggest…
Tokyo Snapped is supported by its readers. As an Amazon and Klook Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. [Full Disclosure]. Every August, the streets of Koenji erupt in a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and tradition. The Koenji Awa Odori is Tokyo’s largest dance festival, a spectacular event that brings…
Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 was a blast. While the venue at Makuhari Messe was filled with jaw-dropping engineering and cutting-edge concepts, veteran attendees might have noticed a shift in the atmosphere. The “hot models” that populated the booths in previous years were noticeably absent, but that just meant the focus remained squarely on the sheet…
Do you know the word, taphophile? It means individuals who have an appreciation for cemeteries, gravestones, and the art, culture, and stories they represent. Another word to describe them is tombstone tourist, which seems less confronting. If you are one of those, Tokyo is one of the best places in the world to be. Being…
My trip to Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival 2022 (つつじ祭り) started with a tough choice. With Tokyo’s spring flower season in full swing, it was either there or the tulips at Showa Memorial Park. I only had time for one. Knowing both would be crowded on a Saturday, I researched online and bet on Nezu Shrine…
I wasn’t able to go to the 2026 Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival during the peak bloom, which turned out to be a mixed experience. It couldn’t be helped; I’ve started several new jobs recently, and making a living is a priority. However, since I have rarely missed this event over the last decade, I decided…
Tokyo Snapped is supported by its readers. As an Amazon and Klook Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. [Full Disclosure]. Every spring, Tokyo’s Nezu Shrine offers a spectacular display of azaleas. It’s a tradition known as the Bunkyo Azalea Festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri). With over 3,000 bushes of roughly 100 different…
For photographers in Tokyo, the Imperial Palace tour presents a tantalizing opportunity. It takes you inside the grounds of Japan’s most famous castle. It’s a landscape of massive stone gates, historic keeps, and sprawling courtyards. But with a guided tour, time is limited, and tripods are forbidden. So, is it actually a worthwhile trip for…
Every spring, Tokyo transforms into a canvas of pink, and few places are as atmospheric as Aoyama Cemetery. While it might seem unusual to visit a graveyard for sightseeing, this location offers some of the most stunning photo opportunities in the city. In 2022, I grabbed my camera to capture the Aoyama Cemetery cherry blossoms,…
Stepping into the All Japan Model & Hobby Show for the first time was an assault on the senses, in the best way possible. While it “only” occupied two of Tokyo Big Sight‘s cavernous South Halls, the space was a wonderland buzzing with the energy of thousands of fans. From the buzz of excitement around…
One of the last places I visited for hydrangeas (ajisai) in 2017 was Myōhōji Temple, tucked away in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward. I arrived quite late in the season, and many of the flowers were already beginning to fade. Still, the hour-long walk from my apartment was well worth it; even past their peak, the blooms…
If you are planning your trip to a future event, read [Sanja Matsuri Daigyoretsu: A Photographer’s Guide]. To learn more about my first adventure at the 2018 Daigyoretsu, read on. The Sanja Matsuri (or Sanja Festival) is a cornerstone of Tokyo’s cultural calendar. It draws approximately two million visitors over its three-day span every year….
I often talk about how photography can be a frustrating exercise in managing expectations. My 2018 trip to Yushima Tenjin was a perfect example. After a long, cold snap in Tokyo, I was worried the plum blossoms would be a complete no-show. My initial walk through the shrine grounds confirmed my fears—many branches were still…
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Like many who have studied Japanese, my first encounter with the literary giant Soseki Natsume was his classic novel, Botchan. While the specifics of the story have faded over the years, my fascination with the man himself has only grown. This…
Working my way through Tokyo Auto Salon 2020 in a single day required a pragmatic approach to both observation and movement. With 438 exhibitors and approximately 800 vehicles distributed throughout the Makuhari Messe, the scale of the event is significant. During its three-day run from January 10th to 12th, the venue saw a recorded attendance…
Tokyo Auto Salon is Japan’s premier showcase of car customization and automotive excellence. It brings the latest modified vehicles, concept cars, and performance tech to Makuhari Messe. Car enthusiasts from all over the world come to see cutting-edge tuning and motorsports builds to eye-catching designs and industry reveals. For three days they enjoy high-octane and…
In the concrete canyons of Shinjuku, surrounded by towering skyscrapers and the endless rush of Tokyo life, you can find LOVE. It’s not in a quiet café or a moonlit park, but standing bold and bright in front of the Shinjuku I-Land Tower. This iconic red sculpture, simply titled “LOVE,” is the work of American…
2020 was a difficult year, largely due to the hardship caused by the coronavirus. While it didn’t cause me any true difficulties, it completely ruined my flower photography schedule, as I tried to avoid going out as much as possible. However, I was determined to get some good photos of the cherry blossoms, which led…
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Hanegi Park’s plum blossoms rank right up there with the best in Tokyo. There are 650 of the trees. But not only are flowers great, the location and the vibe are amazing. This free winter event is for families, flower lovers…
The Sanja Festival (Sanja Matsuri) is one of Tokyo’s largest Shinto festivals, held annually in May at Asakusa Shrine. For photographers in 2027, the event offers high-action shots of mikoshi (portable shrines), traditional parades, and Edo-style street culture. The best photography spots include the Kaminarimon Gate and the Senso-ji temple grounds during the Sunday grand…