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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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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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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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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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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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…
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Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition 2019
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. On cool November mornings, the air in Shinjuku Gyoen carries a sharp, herbal scent. It is the smell of thousands of chrysanthemums, or kiku (菊), arranged in protective wooden pavilions. While many visitors come for the autumn leaves, the focus of…
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Yushima Tenjin Chrysanthemum Festival Photography
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. In autumn 2021, I checked out the Yushima Tenjin chrysanthemums. Earlier that day, I visited Shinjuku Gyoen to see its flowers. At that time, the weather was perfect. I lucked out as the conditions continued into the afternoon. It was an…
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Autumn Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Trees and Supercars
Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a premier Tokyo photography location known for its golden autumn leaves. During the peak season in late November, the street attracts an array of supercars and classic vehicles. This creates a unique opportunity to photograph high-end automotive design against a backdrop of brilliant yellow trees. As an Amazon Associate I…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemums 2018
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…
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Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue Photography Tips
Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is one of Tokyo’s most iconic autumn destinations, and for good reason. It is lined with 146 majestic ginkgo trees that lead to the outer gardens of Meiji Shrine. When autumn arrives, the leaves ignite into a brilliant gold, creating a stunning spectacle that draws huge crowds of Tokyoites and…
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A 2021 Chrysanthemum Study at Zenyoji Temple
Archival Note: This post was originally published in November 2021. It is presented here as part of the Tokyo Snapped archive, documenting one of the city’s many flower festivals. There are days when you set out to document a location, and then there are days when you simply get lost in the viewfinder. In November…
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Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall
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 to the victims of quake and fire, but also to those…
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Red Spider Lilies at Nogawa Park
In Japan, it is a flower of delicate beauty that also carries the weight of final goodbyes. The red spider lily, or higanbana, is said to bloom when you part with someone for the last time. For years, I seemed to be having my own final goodbyes with them—for one reason or another, I always…
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Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemums 2024
Looking back at my photos from the Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibit in November 2024, I’m reminded of two things. The flowers were not at their best, but my new camera was. While the blooms themselves were a bit underwhelming compared to previous years, the situation created the perfect real-world test for my Canon EOS R5….
