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…
After a long lockdown in Tokyo, the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Rose Festival 2021 was a much-anticipated floral escape. I woke up to an overcast sky, but I wasn’t about to let that dampen my spirits. A trip to one of my favorite places in the city for a dose of roses was the perfect pick-me-up I…
Shinjuku Gyoen might be Tokyo’s most famous and most popular cherry blossom spots. You can read what gives it that reputation in [Shinjuku Gyoen is Tokyo’s Best Cherry Blossom Spot]. Now read on and learn more of my photographic adventures there in 2018. The 2018 cherry blossom season at Shinjuku Gyoen was, in a word,…
Shinjuku Gyoen might be Tokyo’s most famous and most popular park. Read what gives it that reputation in [Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden]. Every year it puts on a chrysanthemum exhibit. Read on to learn more of my photography adventures there in 2018. The 2018 Shinjuku Gyoen chrysanthemums were autumn gold. Under the clear skies of…
Nestled in the western suburbs of Tokyo, Nogawa Park offers a tranquil escape with a unique history—it was once a golf course. While it may not boast the historical prestige of Tokyo’s Edo-period gardens, for the discerning photographer, Nogawa Park is a seasonal treasure trove. It reveals its true beauty in fleeting moments throughout the…
If you are looking for a Tokyo photo spot that has a little bit of everything, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is it. From history and beautiful bridges to flowers and temples, this park delivers. Birdwatchers love it, too. Some might say it is perfect. Well, if it’s not, it must be incredibly close. Koishikawa Korakuen’s centerpiece…
For me, the Hanegi Park plum blossoms heralded the arrival of spring in 2023. While winter wasn’t truly over, seeing the tranquil park burst with fragrant pink and white blooms made it feel that way. Yes, warmer weather wasn’t far away. Visiting Hanegi Park during plum blossom season is a must for any photographer. The…
In 2017, my visit to Hanegi Park near for the annual plum blossom season was nothing short of magical. That particular week in Tokyo was graced with brilliant blue skies just like at Yushima Tenjin a week earlier. It was a memorable season for flower photography. A serene Tokyo Plum Blossom photo spot Hanegi Park,…
Rikugien Gardens is another of Tokyo’s Edo-period parks. Many people consider it to be one of the city’s best. While it isn’t big, it is beautiful. Scenes from classical waka poetry famously inspired its design. A Yamanote line station is only a few minutes walk away making it easily accessible. Main photo locations at Rikugien…
Next to the pop-culture center of Harajuku, Yoyogi Park offers a natural mix of splendor and urban charm. For photographers, this expansive green space is a playground of endless photo opportunities. Whether you love cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, or rockabilly dancing, a story lies around every corner. On any warm day, Yoyogi Park, or Yoyogi…
Recently, my professional life took an unexpected turn. One of the companies I work for lost a major contract, leaving many teachers, myself included, looking for new jobs. The timing couldn’t have been worse, coinciding exactly with the official opening of the Tokyo cherry blossom season at Yasukuni Shrine on March 19. I want to…
I went to Shiba Park in spring 2020. The weather was cool, the sky was a perfect, cloudless blue that made the pinks of the blossoms even more vibrant. Looking back, it was the kind of day that was made for flower photography. The plum blossoms of Shiba Park 2020 There wasn’t much difference from…
Imagine stepping off a bustling Tokyo street and into a scene from the English countryside, complete with a stone manor and a fragrant rose garden. This isn’t a dream; it’s the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, a stunning example of Taisho-era elegance and a photographer’s paradise. You can’t get much more English than that, can you? Josiah Conder,…
Imagine standing by the serene pond, looking up at a canopy of Inokashira Park cherry blossoms in full bloom. For travelers seeking the quintessential Tokyo spring experience, this spot is unrivaled. Back in 2017, everything was in perfect alignment for a photographer: the sky was a brilliant blue, softened by just the right amount of…
Editor’s Note: The central water fountain has been demolished and is being rebuilt along with some landscaping. It should be completed in early 2026. In the bustling heart of Tokyo, just a stone’s throw from the Imperial Palace, government offices, and major corporations, is an urban sanctuary: Hibiya Park. For the city’s busy workers seeking…
Are you searching for an escape in Tokyo that marries nature, culture, and endless photo opportunities? Look no further than Inokashira Park. It’s a place where you can capture the pink of spring cherry blossoms, the deep reds of autumn leaves, or the simple joy of a swan boat ride across a serene pond. For…
Escape the bustling energy of central Tokyo and step into a world of serene landscapes and rich history at Hamarikyu Gardens. Once a private hunting ground for shoguns, it now offers a unique oasis where traditional Japanese aesthetics meet the city’s futuristic skyline. For photographers and nature lovers, Hamarikyu is filled with picturesque scenes, from…
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: Tokyo’s picturesque park near Shinjuku Station. Discover top photo spots, seasonal blooms, diverse gardens & photography tips.
Hanegi Park, located in Setagaya, Tokyo, is one of the city’s premier destinations for the Setagaya Ume Matsuri (Plum Blossom Festival). Featuring over 600 plum trees, the park typically reaches peak bloom between mid-February and early March. Achieving a ‘success rate’ in photography here requires precise timing, as peak flowering lasts only a few days….