Showa Memorial Park
Capture Tokyo’s natural beauty with our guide to Showa Memorial Park photography. Find the best spots for flower and landscape shots in Tachikawa.
-
-
Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2021
Photographing the Kameido Tenjin wisteria in 2021 at sunset with views of Tokyo Skytree. Essential tips for photographers.
-
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Escape to Tokyo’s Imperial Palace East Gardens. Explore historic Edo Castle ruins, Ninomaru Garden, and enjoy city views. A tranquil, free oasis.
-
Jindai Botanical Gardens Rose Festival 2020
See the beauty of the Jindai Botanical Gardens’ Rose Festival 2020. See photos, get insights, & discover Tokyo’s best rose garden for photographers.
-
Jindai Botanical Gardens
Explore Jindai Botanical Gardens, famed for its magnificent rose garden & diverse seasonal flowers. A top Tokyo flower photography spot.
-
Todoroki Valley
Capture the beauty of Todoroki Valley, Tokyo’s urban oasis. A photography guide to its waterfall, temple, and short nature trails near Shibuya.
-
Kitanomaru Park
A photographer’s guide to historic Kitanomaru Park near Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. Learn the best seasons (cherry blossoms!), what to shoot, & if it’s a must-see.
-
5 Million Red Spider Lilies in Saitama
Photographing red spider lilies at Kinchakuda Park? Get tips on avoiding crowds, using Fujifilm X-Series, & see stunning photos from Saitama.
-
Koishikawa Korakuen Plum Blossoms 2019
The Edo-period park Koishikawa Korakuen has always been one of my favorite haunts. Its story began in the 1600s when Yorifusa Tokugawa established a residence on the grounds. Over the centuries, the garden was enriched with new features, and in 1938, it opened its gates to the public. Today, we can enjoy its landscapes, including…
-
Kiyosumi Gardens
Kiyosumi Gardens: Photograph history & beauty in Tokyo. Explore the pond, Ryotei teahouse, seasonal flowers & wildlife at this serene park.
-
Inokashira Park Cherry Blossoms 2022
Explore Inokashira Park cherry blossoms through a photographer’s lens. Learn technical tips for backlighting and how to manage crowds during Tokyo sakura season.
-
Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Blossoms 2023
The 2023 Shinjuku Gyoen cherry blossoms reached full bloom in late March, offering photographers soft pink canopies. Despite overcast skies and weekday crowds, the park provided excellent lighting for capturing delicate sakura details. This photo review explores the atmosphere and technical conditions of the 2023 season in one of Tokyo’s iconic parks. I returned to…
-
Koishikawa Botanical Garden
Koishikawa Botanical Garden is Tokyo’s oldest research garden, managed by the University of Tokyo. Unlike manicured city parks, it offers a raw, forest-like atmosphere perfect for nature and macro photography. Located in Bunkyo, it is a rare spot where photographers can use tripods to capture diverse seasonal plant life. As an Amazon Associate I earn…
-
Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition 2021
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Crisp air and a brilliant, cloudless blue sky provided the ideal backdrop for appreciating the vibrant colors of the annual chrysanthemum show at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in 2021. While the warmth of the sun made a jacket unnecessary, it was…
-
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park Photo Guide
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park is a 25-hectare nature reserve in Ota City, home to over 200 bird species. Located near Haneda Airport, it provides photographers with tidal ponds, freshwater habitats, and specialized observation huts. It is a premier location for capturing seasonal migrations and resident wildlife within Tokyo’s industrial port zone. Tokyo is famous…
-
Why My Polarizing Filter Failed at Shinjuku Gyoen
A polarizing filter (or CPL filter) fails when there is a lack of direct, directional light to polarize. These filters work by cutting glare reflected at specific angles from non-metallic surfaces. In deep shade or overcast conditions, light is diffused and non-directional, meaning there is no polarized light for the filter to block, rendering the…
-
Hibiya Park Chrysanthemum Exhibition 2019
In the autumn of 2019, Hibiya Park, a green oasis in the heart of Tokyo, hosted a truly exceptional chrysanthemum exhibition. While the park is renowned for its magnificent rose displays that draw large crowds each year, the annual chrysanthemum show is a lesser-known yet equally captivating event. The 2019 showcase was particularly memorable, featuring…
-
Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival 2022
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…
-
How to Improve Flower Photos on a Cloudy Day
The weather forecast promised sun, but Hanegi Park only had cloudy day flowers to offer me in February 2024. My heart sank. How could I capture the delicate beauty of the plum blossoms under flat, dreary light? The answer was easy: my flash. The trip to the park I caught the Keio-Inokashira Line train to…
-
Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival 2026
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…
