The Sangenjaya Gorilla: Tokyo’s Quirky King Kong Statue In a city guarded by giant robots and occasionally terrorized by Godzilla, you might think you’ve seen it all. But venture away from the neon-drenched tourist hubs into the charming neighborhood of Sangenjaya, and you’ll find another titan hiding in plain sight. King Kong is perched majestically…
Nezu Shrine: A Photography Guide to an Edo-Era Sanctuary Nezu Shrine commands a quiet confidence in a city known for its kinetic energy. It may not possess the global name recognition of other Tokyo heavyweights, but the atmosphere here more than compensates for the lack of crowds. Two things define this location: the history, which…
Plane Spotting at Haneda Airport: A Tokyo Guide The roar of a jet engine has a way of commanding attention. While I have been an aviation enthusiast for as long as I can remember, I realized in 2021 that I had never actually attempted to capture jetliners with a camera. Well, I shot military aircraft…
Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin: Tokyo’s Fox Temple Tucked away in the modern cityscape of Akasaka, Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin is a spiritual oasis guarded by an army of stone foxes. While other temples might have a handful of these divine messengers, this one is home to a staggering collection of what feels like a thousand….
Lessons from My First Professional Model Shoot in Tokyo This article was first published on the now defunct Around Tokyo website in 2017. It was updated in 2026 with current location tips for visiting photographers. I photographed my first professional model in 2017. It would be my first stop to become a full-time photographer. While…
Kyowa Bridge: Haneda Airport Runway 16R Plane Spotting Guide Have you ever photographed flying aircraft from so close that you can almost see the cabin crew walk the aisles inside? There is a location with an almost endless line of ANA, JAL, and Skymark jets for that. It’s Kyowa Bridge, one of the best plane-spotting…
Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall A hall born from two great tragedies The Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall was born from two enormous tragedies. One was the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake; the other was the 1945 Bombing of Tokyo. Each event claimed over 100,000 lives that Tokyo hasn’t forgotten. Within these grounds, tribute is paid not only…
What Does a Real Tokyo Neighborhood Look Like? A local’s look at Takaido-Higashi Have you ever wondered what a “real” Tokyo neighborhood looks like? I mean the one beyond the tourist maps, in the quiet suburbs where people actually live? I’m going to take you on a photo tour of my home: Takaido-Higashi in Suginami…
The Shinjuku Taxi: Lifeline of Tokyo’s Night As dusk settles over Tokyo, the Shinjuku district undergoes a breathtaking metamorphosis. A symphony of neon ignites the sky, and the city’s pulse quickens. Amidst this vibrant chaos, one element reigns supreme: the ubiquitous taxi. With tens of thousands of cabs navigating the sprawling metropolis, they are an…
Tokyo Big Sight: An Architectural Guide in Black & White Tokyo Big Sight is an architectural beacon in Japan’s bustling capital. I’d planned my visit for weeks, hoping to capture the sun gleaming off its futuristic glass and titanium structures. But Tokyo’s weather had other plans. Faced with a flat, grey sky, I had a…
Hie Shrine Photo Guide: Torii Gates, Monkeys & Best Spots Hie Shrine isn’t the biggest shrine in Tokyo, but it might just be one of the best for photographers. Nestled between the skyscrapers of Akasaka, it offers a surreal mix of traditional architecture and modern city vibes. From the famous tunnel of red torii gates…
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum: Photo Guide Journey into Japan’s architectural past at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. It is a diverse collection that includes historical homes, traditional shops, and temples. Photographers can capture a side of Tokyo beyond its modern cityscape of concrete and steel. Every photograph taken here holds a piece of…
A Photographer’s Guide to Sensoji Temple Step into a world where ancient history meets vibrant energy. Sensoji Temple in Asakusa isn’t just Tokyo’s oldest spiritual heart—it is the ultimate photography destination. From the colossal red lantern of the Kaminarimon Gate to the bustling energy of Nakamise-dori, this guide reveals the best photo spots. I’ll share…
A Photographer’s Guide to Hibiya Park 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….
Design Festa Summer + Gakuten 2016: Biggest Art Show in Asia Editor’s Note (2026): I originally attended this event in 2016. Looking back a decade later, the art scene in Tokyo has changed, but the energy of Design Festa remains unmatched. I have re-edited these images to better reflect the atmosphere of that day. Have…
Tokyo International Forum: A photographer’s guide It was a classic photographer’s dilemma: my original plan to shoot Yushima Tenjin’s famous plum blossoms in 2022 was a bust, as the flowers were far from blooming. I checked the internet scrambling for a new subject in a city full of icons. The place I found was something…
Inokashira Park Photo Guide: Best Spots & Photography Tips 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…
Shinjuku Gyoen is Tokyo’s Best Cherry Blossom Spot After years of searching for the perfect hanami experience, I can say it with confidence. Shinjuku Gyoen is the best cherry blossom spot in Tokyo. While I adore the moody, atmospheric lanes of Aoyama Cemetery, it’s not for everyone. Shinjuku Gyoen is simply unmatched. It’s experience delivers…
Photographing Azabudai Hills in 2026: Is the View Still Worth It? Editor’s note: When the Azabudai Hills Observation Deck first opened in 2024, admission was free. This is no longer the case. The article has been updated to reflect this. The Azabudai Hills observation deck might be a contender for having the best Tokyo views….
Visiting Hideki Tojo’s Grave at Zoshigaya Cemetery Hideki Tojo, the Imperial Japanese Army general and 27th prime minister, remains one of modern history’s most controversial figures. As a key advocate for the ‘preventive war’ against the United States, his leadership ended in Japan’s devastation and his own execution. Is he revered or reviled? The answer…