Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2021
Photographing the Kameido Tenjin wisteria in 2021 at sunset with views of Tokyo Skytree. Essential tips for photographers.
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Inokashira Park’s Night Cherry Blossoms
Experience a surreal walk under night cherry blossoms at Inokashira Park. Discover ghostly, beautiful trees in Tokyo’s fading light from a 2022 visit.
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Hibiya Park Chrysanthemum Festival 2025
Here are the flowers from Hibiya Park Chrysanthemum Festival 2025. My story covers the displays & what to expect at Tokyo’s famous flower show.
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A Rainy Day at Takahata-Fudoson
I was caught at Tokyo’s Takahata-Fudoson temple without an umbrella. See hydrangea & Jizo photos taken in the wet. A rewarding photography trip in 2022!
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Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Festival 2020
A photographer’s view of Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Festival 2020. Explore gorgeous kengai, ozukuri, and other Japanese mums.
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Rikugien Gardens Autumn Illumination 2016
See Rikugien Garden’s autumn illumination in 2016. Tips for low light photography and managing crowds
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Asagaya Tanabata Festival 2017
See Tokyo’s Asagaya Tanabata Festival 2017! Marvel at colorful, giant papier-mâché dolls in Suginami’s Asagaya Pearl Center shopping arcade.
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Asagaya Tanabata Festival Guide
Experience Tokyo’s Asagaya Tanabata Festival! See incredible papier-mâché figures (haribote) of pop culture icons like One Piece. A unique August celebration.
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Photographing the Return of Koenji Awa Odori
Photographing Koenji Awa Odori 2023: Tips for capturing Tokyo’s massive dance festival with 12,000 dancers & 1 million spectators. See photos!
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Kameido Tenjin Chrysanthemum Festival 2021
A visit to the Kameido Tenjin Shrine Chrysanthemum Festival in 2021 left me with mixed feelings. The shrine is renowned for its wisteria and plum blossoms, but the autumn floral display, though pleasant, didn’t reach the same heights. It prompted a reflection on what could have been. For those unfamiliar with Kameido Tenjin, a grand…
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Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2018
Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2018 taught me a valuable lesson in photography: sometimes, you can’t win. A sudden warm snap coaxed the delicate wisteria into an early bloom, catching many, including myself, by surprise. Though the festival was scheduled to run until May 6th, by the time I arrived on April 22nd, the famous cascading…
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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.
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Rikugien Gardens Light-Up (2026)
Get 8 insider tips for the 2026 Rikugien Gardens autumn light-up! Learn the best photo spots, how to avoid the crowds, and have a truly magical night in Tokyo.
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Red Spider Lily: Japan’s Iconic Afterlife Flower
Why is the red spider lily called Japan’s “flower of death”? The answer is only half the story. Explore its true meaning, myths, & symbolism of rebirth.
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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…
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Supercars at Ginkgo Avenue
Capturing supercars at Tokyo’s Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue. See why yellow ginkgo trees provided the perfect background for autumn photography.
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Tokyo Imperial Palace Winter Illumination Photos
The Tokyo Imperial Palace winter illumination is a seasonal event where historic gates and keeps are lit at night. Located on the eastern side near Tokyo Station, this display offers photographers a rare chance to capture long exposures of the Seimon and Otemon gates reflecting in the palace moat during the colder months. One evening,…
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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.
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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…
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Inui Street Autumn Walk 2026
The Inui Street Autumn Walk is a seasonal public opening at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, occurring in late November or early December. For 2026, photographers can access a 750-meter restricted path from Sakashita-mon Gate to Inui-mon Gate, offering rare views of fall foliage and the historic Fujimi Keep. As an Amazon Associate I earn from…
