On an overcast Tokyo evening, the cherry blossoms of Inokashira Park transformed. Gone were the daytime crowds and vibrant pinks. In their place, something more surreal and ghostly emerged. During a spontaneous night walk in 2022, I discovered the park’s true magic wasn’t just in its famous blossoms. A quiet, ethereal beauty was revealed after the sun went down.
Something different at Inokashira Park
I had been there a couple of days earlier, but I went again. Why? My plans to photograph the flowers at various places fell apart. The weather and work caused havoc with my schedule. Little did I know I was about to get one golden opportunity to see the park in a completely different light.
A quiet walk after sunset
On one overcast 2022 evening, I took the train from Takaido to Inokashira-koen Station. When I arrived, the sun was already down and few people were walking around. Momentarily, I thought I had made a mistake in going. But the feeling dissipated once I saw the trees. Daytime hanami had been replaced by a heavy, beautiful silence.
Beauty of night cherry blossoms
The park was dark. Some lights were on, but there weren’t enough to brighten the trees. They provided just ambient light for a hauntingly beautiful walk under the trees!
Against the overcast sky, the pale blossoms seemed to float. Their soft white shapes disconnected from the dark, skeletal branches. They weren’t pink anymore, but a luminous, ethereal white in the faint ambient light. Below, the pond was mostly still, creating a haunting, inverted reflection of the ghostly trees above. It wasn’t just a pretty scene; it felt like stepping into another world. In an instant, all my earlier frustrations vanished.
My photography gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Considering I had no flash or video light with me, my gear performed well. The light of golden and blue hours was enough to get photos. It was at this time I thought I would like to have a full-frame camera, but it is difficult to justify the extra expense for one.
Finding beauty in the unexpected
While many people flock to see daytime sakura, I found a different beauty in the darkness of Inokashira Park. That night walk taught me something. Sometimes the most memorable travel experiences are the ones you don’t plan for. They can also be found in shadows and fading light. It’s a surreal and peaceful side of Tokyo’s hanami season everyone should experience. To learn more about Inokashira Park, read the full article.
