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…
Step into Kameido Tenjin, the shrine immortalized by Hiroshige! Discover stunning wisteria, drum bridges & Skytree views. A photographer’s delight.
Discover Kanda Myojin: Tokyo’s 1300-year-old shrine famed for business gods, architecture, & the massive Kanda Matsuri. Find it near Akihabara.
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…
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Tokyo has many lesser-known places. You can walk along a street of modern buildings, and an old temple or shrine is nestled among them. It can be surprising when it happens, but it’s not unusual. One striking example is Miyamasumitake Shrine…
The Sanja Festival 2026 at Kaminarimon featured a significant shift in crowds as the main Honsha Mikoshi toured local neighborhoods which could be followed by using GPS tracking. Photographers enjoyed neighborhood shrines at Thunder Gate, and opportunities for street portraits amidst preparations in the lead up to the 2028 1400th anniversary. Tokyo Snapped is supported…
The Mitama Festival 2017 at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine was a spectacular display of Japanese tradition, featuring over 30,000 glowing yellow lanterns. This mid-summer celebration is a prime location for night photography, offering a unique atmosphere where photographers capture the ‘matsuri’ spirit, traditional dances, and the iconic illuminated pathways of Chiyoda. The summer heat in Tokyo…
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…
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…
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…
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…
This post focuses on my photographic experience at Sanja Matsuri 2018. If you are planning a future trip to the event, check out my [Sanja Festival: A Photographer’s Guide] for full information. For years, work obligations kept me away from experiencing the Sanja Matsuri on a Saturday. 2018 finally broke that streak, and it was…
The Daigyoretsu is the opener for the famous Sanja Festival. It’s an event that brings three million visitors to Tokyo’s Asakusa district for three days of endless, incredible energy. I’ve been to this spectacular opening parade many times and believe me when I say it is a photographer’s dream. You need to see this one….
Myohoji might be one of Tokyo’s lesser-known temples on the international tourist circuit, but don’t let that discourage you. While it doesn’t have the massive crowds of Sensoji or Zojoji, it is deeply respected locally as a powerful spot for yakuyoke (warding off evil). For the visitor, Myohoji offers a perfect blend of stunning traditional…
At the heart of Tokyo lies a scene that perfectly captures the city’s soul: the historic Zojoji, towered over the iconic Tokyo Tower. More than just a beautiful landmark, the temple serves as a bridge between Japan’s shogunate past and its dynamic present. This guide will walk you through its most photogenic spots, share some…
Imagine standing beneath a golden canopy of light, the summer air thick with humidity and history. This is the essence of the Mitama Festival (Mitama Matsuri). While Yasukuni Shrine is historically dedicated to the spirits of those who died defending Japan, the festival itself transcends politics. It offers a profound moment of collective remembrance. In…
A Meiji Shrine wedding is steeped in tradition. They are a fusion of spectacle, kimonos, history, and cultural grandeur. Ready your camera! This is your chance to capture Tokyo’s most enchanting wedding moments and create unforgettable travel photos. Let’s head to this amazing venue to see them. When to see Meiji Shrine wedding parades There…
Spring in Tokyo is synonymous with color, and few places promise a spectacle quite like the Bunkyo Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine. However, travel photography is often a game of timing, and even the best plans can fall victim to a busy schedule. On May 1, 2017, I finally arrived at the shrine to capture…