The Tokyo Motor Show 2019 was an event in transition. With a new additional venue, fewer international brands, and a clear shift in focus, it was a glimpse into the future of automotive events. It will eventually lead to its rebranding as the Tokyo Mobility Show. While many reports covered the technical specifications, I walked…
The Tokyo Marathon is one of the six World Major Marathons. It is a prestigious sporting event that attracted 38000 participants. Photographers documented them running the gruelling 42-kilometer course. I joined them for the first time in 2023. My camera got a workout that day! My photography gear for this shoot Shooting the race start…
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. The wisteria were late. I had come to Kameido Tenjin Shrine, famed for its cascading purple flowers, hoping to capture the peak of its annual festival in 2024. Instead, I found mostly green leaves and closed buds. With my primary photo…
Every January, the ancient sport of falconry returns to Tokyo’s Hama Rikyu Gardens. It’s a nod to history, as Japan’s shoguns once used these grounds to hunt ducks with their prized birds. While those times are gone, falconers who keep the tradition alive showcase their skills over a two-day event. In 2020, I went to…
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, and I scrambled to the station to make up for…
Tsukuba RC Arena: Yokomo’s world-class RC racing venue. Renovated with amazing tracks & English support. The ultimate RC hobby destination!
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 Imperial Palace, hoping to capture Japan’s Emperor Akihito on his 83rd birthday. The day turned into…
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. Visiting the Keio Plaza Hotel…
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 scene at the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Iruma Open…
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 one thing to see bikes online, but it’s another…
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 action. Let’s recount the sights, sounds, and images from…
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 transforms into something else. Widely considered Tokyo’s…
The Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show Prep Day offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the world’s premier custom car and motorcycle event hosted by Mooneyes. Held at the Pacifico Yokohama, setup day allows enthusiasts to witness the arrival of international invitees and the meticulous staging of Japan’s finest custom culture builds before the public exhibition…
The Tokyo Motor Show 2017 was the 45th edition of Japan’s premier automotive event, held at Tokyo Big Sight. Focused on the theme ‘Beyond the Motor,’ the show highlighted the industry’s shift toward autonomous driving and electric vehicles. This gallery showcases iconic reveals like the Mazda Vision Coupe and Nissan IMx through my camera’s lens….
The Oji Fox Parade, known as Oji Kitsune no Gyoretsu, is a traditional Japanese festival held annually on New Year’s Eve in Kita, Tokyo. Based on local folklore, participants wear fox masks and carry lanterns while marching to Oji Inari Shrine to celebrate the first dream of the new year. Most New Year’s Eves find…
Yabusame is a traditional Japanese Shinto ritual involving mounted archery. Archers dressed in samurai-era attire shoot arrows at three wooden targets while galloping at high speeds. These photos capture the annual Yabusame demonstration at the Meiji Shrine Grand Autumn Festival, highlighting the precision, speed, and ancient heritage of this discipline. As an Amazon Associate I…
The Sumida River Fireworks Festival is Tokyo’s largest pyrotechnic event, held annually on the last Saturday of July. To survive the extreme crowds, visitors should arrive at least three hours early, secure a viewing spot in Asakusa or Ryogoku, carry a portable fan, and pre-load their Suica cards for a seamless exit. Do you want…
Shibuya Halloween 2016 was one of the largest unofficial street parties in Tokyo’s history, drawing an estimated 70,000 costumed revelers to the Scramble Crossing. Unlike modern years with strict drinking bans and heavy policing, 2016 represented the peak of the event’s “wild” era, characterized by massive crowds, elaborate cosplay, and spontaneous celebration. My first Shibuya…