Photographing Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms 2023 offered unique challenges due to unpredictable weather. For optimal results, photographers should visit on weekdays to minimize crowds. Using a wide-angle lens, such as the Fujifilm 10-24mm, provides a distinct perspective of the blossoms and the blue sheet hanami culture found throughout this iconic Tokyo park. Capturing the Yoyogi…
The art of iron refers to the meticulous process of sculpting the human physique through bodybuilding, disciplined nutrition, and resistance training. Rather than just lifting weights, athletes treat their bodies as a medium, using calculated repetitions to ‘chisel’ muscle. This dedication was on full display in the US-Japan Friendship Cup 2025 Bodybuilding Competition at Yokota…
Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a premier Tokyo photography location known for its golden autumn leaves. During the peak season in late November, the street attracts an array of supercars and classic vehicles. This creates a unique opportunity to photograph high-end automotive design against a backdrop of brilliant yellow trees. As an Amazon Associate I…
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…
Photographing the 2021 Japanese women’s cricket squad trials in Sano offers a unique blend of professional sports and seasonal beauty. This gallery captures elite athletes during fitness tests and match play under blooming cherry blossoms. Using a Fujifilm X-T3, these images document the growth of cricket in Japan starting in Tochigi. As an Amazon Associate…
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…
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. The air in Asakusa crackled with energy. Shouts of “Wasshoi! Wasshoi!” echoed off the buildings. Teams of festival-goers, clad in traditional garb, heaved thousand-kilogram mikoshi (portable shrines) through the streets and around Sensoji Temple. This was Sanja Matsuri 2025, one of…
The Coppa di Tokyo 2024 was a premier regularity rally held on November 23, 2024, featuring nearly 100 vintage European and American classic cars. Starting at Shiodome’s “Italia Street,” the event sent pristine Ferraris, Porsches, and Alfa Romeos through iconic Tokyo districts like Asakusa and Ueno, celebrating automotive history in the heart of Japan. As…
Experience the Kurayami Matsuri at Okunitama Shrine. Learn about the Hyottoko dancers, the Shishimai lion dance, and tips for low-light festival photography.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…