Love in Shinjuku: A Guide to a Romantic Landmark
In the concrete canyons of Shinjuku, surrounded by towering skyscrapers and the endless rush of Tokyo life, you can find LOVE. It’s not in a quiet café or a moonlit park, but standing bold and bright in front of the Shinjuku I-Land Tower.
This iconic red sculpture, simply titled “LOVE,” is the work of American artist Robert Indiana. Its clean lines and vibrant color make it an unmissable landmark and a favorite meeting spot for locals and tourists alike. It’s a pop of warmth in a steel-and-glass world, and a magnet for photographers.
Will you find true love? The urban legend
An urban legend surrounds the sculpture. It’s said that if you can walk between the “V” and the “E” without any part of your body touching the letters, your romantic wishes will come true. Is it a myth? Perhaps. But in a city of millions, isn’t it fun to believe in a little magic? Give it a try—and let us know if it works!
Visitor information: Location, access, costs, & hours
- Address: 6 Chome-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
- Nearest station: Nishi-Shinjuku on the Marunouchi Line, use Exit C7
- Entry fee: None
- Opening hours: Public space
- Here is the location on Google Maps:
Love in Shinjuku photo tips
Capturing the perfect shot here can be a fun challenge.
Best times to go
- Sunday afternoons: The surrounding business district is quiet with fewer people.
- Late at night: Capture mesmerizing light trails from passing traffic, but bring a tripod.
- Weekday mornings (before 7 a.m.): Beat the rush hour for soft morning light and fewer people.
Creative photo ideas
- Embrace the urban jungle: Instead of fighting the busy background, use it to your advantage. Use a wider lens to capture the sculpture with the massive skyscrapers looming behind it. This creates a powerful “small love in a big city” photo that tells a story.
- Blur the background: For a classic portrait look, use a wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/2.8) to make the LOVE sculpture tack-sharp while melting the distracting background into a soft, artistic blur.
- Create ghostly emptiness: Want a shot with no people? Use a tripod and a long exposure (a few seconds or more). Moving people will blur into nothing, leaving the sculpture perfectly sharp.
- Bring a model: Ask a friend to pose in, on, or around the sculpture for dynamic and personal photos. Traveling solo? Consider hiring a local portrait model for an hour.
- You can find them on Instagram or photography groups on Facebook for around ¥4000/hour, and it’s a great way to guarantee a fantastic shot.
The Pokémon Go craze
A few years ago, I noticed groups gathering around the sculpture on weekends. It wasn’t a tour group or a special event. Peeking over a few shoulders, I saw them all staring at their phones, frantically tapping the screen. It turned out the LOVE sculpture was a major PokéStop and spawn point in Pokémon Go! For a time, finding LOVE in Shinjuku also meant finding a rare Snorlax.
Nearby photo spots
Once you’ve captured LOVE, keep exploring!
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Head up to the free observatory for a stunning panoramic view of the city.
- Shinjuku Gyoen: A beautiful and sprawling park that is an oasis of calm (entry fee required).
- Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower: A uniquely designed skyscraper that is a photographic subject in itself.
- Tokyu Kabukicho Tower: Another Shinjuku observatory.
Your turn to find LOVE
Whether you’re testing the urban legend with a partner, taking on a fun solo photo challenge, or simply enjoying a famous piece of public art, Shinjuku’s LOVE sculpture is a must-see. To see more of this art, check out Robert Indiana’s website.
Have you found LOVE? Did you try walking between the letters? Share your photos and stories in the comments below.
