Mister Donut x Pokémon Review: Tasting the 2020 Collection It was a poster in a Mister Donut window that did it. In August 2020, the advertisement showcasing their latest Pokémon donut collaboration was too tempting to ignore. As someone who keeps a close eye on my weight, I usually steer clear of such sugary delights….
Yushima Tenjin: Plum Blossom & Chrysanthemum Photo Guide Yushima Tenjin is another of Tokyo’s important shrines. You’ll find it in Bunkyo Ward. It isn’t big, but it is famous for its flowers in spring and autumn. The architecture is impressive too. For photographers, this place should be on their bucket list. The shrine’s flowers are…
Tokyo Auto Salon 2017: Cars, Culture, and a Dental Crisis Tokyo Auto Salon 2017 happened long ago. It was enormous fun, eventually. But my first problem was fixing a tooth problem. I was in tremendous pain and needed a dentist that morning. Luckily, he was free and saw me immediately. That cost me thirty minutes,…
Tsukuba RC Arena: The Ultimate RC Car Circuit The moment you step inside Tsukuba RC Arena, the air itself feels electric. It’s a symphony of sound—the high-pitched whine of brushless motors, the quiet hiss of tires on polished concrete, and the focused murmurs of drivers in the pits. This isn’t just a race track; it’s…
A Photographer’s Guide to Emperor Akihito’s 83rd Birthday Visiting the Tokyo Imperial Palace on December 23 How often do you get the chance to photograph a reigning monarch from just fifty meters away? On December 23, 2016, I had that very opportunity. With my camera in hand, I joined a massive crowd heading to the…
Keio Plaza Hotel Hinamatsuri 2017 Hinamatsuri 2017 was good. Do you know the event? Doll’s Day is another name for it. Japan celebrates it on March 3. Families pray for their daughter’s health, prosperity, and happiness. For the event, families display a set of Hina dolls. It’s a great cultural tradition. Photographers love it too….
Sengakuji Temple: Where Japan’s 47 Ronin Heroes Lie Located in the Minato ward of Tokyo, Sengakuji Temple is where 47 masterless samurai etched a tale of honor and sacrifice into the annals of Japanese history. Here’s your guide to capturing the solemn, bloodied, and storied past of one of Tokyo’s most revered sites. Let’s visit…
JASDF Iruma Air Base Open Day 2019: Aviation Photography Have you ever wanted to get up close to Japan’s most powerful military aircraft? Imagine standing just meters away as their engines roar to life, feeling the vibrations in your chest. Then, just minutes later, watch them perform jaw-dropping passes directly overhead. That was the incredible…
My First Hachioji Matsuri (2025): Drums, Floats, and Frenzy The humid August air in Hachioji wasn’t the only thing that was thick. It was filled with the distant, thundering beat of taiko drums and a palpable energy that pulled me in the moment I stepped off the train. On August 3rd, 2025, I was about…
Thomas Baty: Grave of a British Traitor Thomas Baty (1869–1954) was a prominent British legal scholar and advisor to the Japanese Foreign Ministry who became a controversial figure for remaining in Japan during World War II. He was accused of being a ‘British traitor’. His grave is uniquely located in the Japanese section of Tokyo’s…
Plum Blossoms & Packed Trains: A 2026 Trip to Yushima Tenjin Tokyo train hell during the plum blossom festival Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival 2026 and I got off to a bad start. There is nothing worse than leaving the house and arriving at the train station only to find all trains have been delayed…
Tokyo Motorcycle Show 2025: A Photographer’s Guide & Gallery In March 2025, the air at Tokyo Big Sight was electric with the buzz of thousands of motorcycle lovers, and I was right there in the thick of it. It was my first time going to the Tokyo Motorcycle Show and it did not disappoint. It’s…
A Photographer’s Look Back at Tokyo Game Show 2016 The Tokyo Game Show in 2016 was a spectacle of epic proportions, a celebration of games, cutting-edge tech, and dazzling cosplay. With excitement for new releases and virtual reality taking center stage, I plunged into the final day’s crowd with my camera, ready to capture the…
Sanja Matsuri 2017 Photo Journal from Asakusa This post focuses on my photographic experience at Sanja Matsuri 2017. If you are planning a future trip to the event, check out my [Sanja Festival: A Photographer’s Guide] for full information. Asakusa is rarely quiet, but every May during the Sanja Festival (Sanja Matsuri), this historic district…
A Guide to Tokyo’s Japanese Sword Museum In a quiet corner of Tokyo, there is a museum where steel tells a story not of war, but of art. The Japanese Sword Museum invites you to forget the battlefield and focus on the blade itself. Here, you’ll discover centuries of masterful craftsmanship visible in the hypnotic,…
Yokohama Custom Hot Rod Show 2019 Prep Day The first thing that hit me in the cavernous Pacifico Yokohama hall for the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show Prep Day wasn’t the smell of fresh paint or gasoline. It was the sight of a meticulously polished purple Mercury hot rod covered with flames painted all over…
Tokyo Motor Show 2017: A Car Photographer Saw the Future It was a long time ago, but stepping into Tokyo Motor Show 2017 at Tokyo Big Sight felt like walking onto a movie set for a sci-fi blockbuster. The theme for the 45th edition of the show was “Beyond the Motor,” with a strong focus…
Oji Fox Parade: Tokyo’s Magical New Year’s Eve Most New Year’s Eves find me cozying up at home, but an ancient legend brought me into the chilly Tokyo night. On the last evening of 2019, hundreds of us gathered near Oji Station, not for fireworks, but to follow a procession of foxes to Shozoku Inari…
The Meiji Shrine Photo Guide (Best Spots & Tips) Meiji Shrine is in the heart of bustling Tokyo. It’s a place where time seems to slow down. The hum of the city fades into the gentle rustle of leaves. This sanctuary of Shinto tradition and natural beauty is nestled within a forest. It’s a hidden…
Yabusame: Photos from Meiji Shrine Grand Autumn Festival The first rider thundered past, a blur of hitatare silk, a bow, and arrows. This was Yabusame, a Shinto ritual of horseback archery that dates back to the sixth century. The goal is simple: hit three paper targets while charging down a 218-meter course. But watching the…