Surviving the Sumida River Fireworks Festival Do you want to see Tokyo’s biggest fireworks festival and one million spectators? That sounds like a recipe for disaster for a people-shy photographer like me. In July 2016, armed with a camera, I braved the throngs and went to the Sumida River to photograph it. A night of…
Taira no Masakado: Rebel Samurai Who Haunts and Guards Tokyo Taira no Masakado was a 10th-century warrior who led a rebellion against the Imperial Court. Following his death, he became one of Japan’s Three Great Onryo (vengeful spirits). Today, he is worshipped as a guardian of Tokyo at his “head mound” grave in Otemachi to…
Shibuya Halloween 2016: Photographing Japan’s Biggest Party My first Shibuya Halloween in 2016. When I stepped out of the station, I was shocked. I had never seen the sheer scale of such a crowd. It was a true “people overload,” with a costumed sea of humanity flooding the world’s most famous pedestrian crossing. Many were…
Aoyama Cemetery Photo Guide Aoyama Cemetery is Tokyo’s oldest public burial ground, located in the heart of Minato City. It is a premier destination for history buffs visiting the graves of icons like Hachiko, and for photographers capturing the famous ‘sakura tunnel.’ This guide explores the cemetery’s unique architecture, notable residents, and seasonal cherry blossom…
teamLab Borderless Odaiba: A retrospective In June 2018, a revolutionary museum opened its doors in Tokyo’s Odaiba district and quickly became a global phenomenon. The MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: teamLab Borderless was the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to digital art, and it was an experience unlike any other. This post is a look…