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…
Gotokuji Temple Photography Guide: Tokyo’s Cat Temple Gotokuji Temple is tucked away in the quiet streets of Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward. Thousands of beckoning cats, the adorable talismans that bring luck, call it home. Photographers and feline lovers will find an unforgettable blend of culture and history. Picture-perfect moments abound. Are you ready to discover this…
Shinjuku’s Giant Jizo: More Than Just a Buddha As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. The Shinjuku Giant Jizo is a massive bronze statue located at Taiso-ji Temple in Tokyo. Often mistaken for a Buddha, it is actually a Bodhisattva, a compassionate deity in Japanese Buddhism who protects…
Odaiba’s Statue of Liberty When you think of an iconic Tokyo photograph, what comes to mind? The Shibuya Scramble? Sensō-ji Temple? While those are classics, one viewpoint offers a stunning combination of the modern city: the futuristic Rainbow Bridge, the classic Tokyo Tower, and, surprisingly, the Statue of Liberty. That’s right—New York isn’t the only…
Rainbow Bridge Tokyo: The Photo Guide (2026) The Rainbow Bridge is a landmark suspension bridge in Tokyo that connects the Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba waterfront. It features two decks accommodating the Shuto Expressway, the Yurikamome transit line, and a 1.7km pedestrian walkway called the Rainbow Promenade. For photographers, it offers iconic views of the…
My First Hachioji Matsuri (2025): Drums, Floats, and Frenzy The humid August air in Hachioji wasn’t the only thing that was thick. It was filled with the distant, thundering beat of taiko drums and a palpable energy that pulled me in the moment I stepped off the train. On August 3rd, 2025, I was about…
Thomas Baty: Grave of a British Traitor Thomas Baty (1869–1954) was a prominent British legal scholar and advisor to the Japanese Foreign Ministry who became a controversial figure for remaining in Japan during World War II. He was accused of being a ‘British traitor’. His grave is uniquely located in the Japanese section of Tokyo’s…
Plum Blossoms & Packed Trains: A 2026 Trip to Yushima Tenjin Tokyo train hell during the plum blossom festival Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival 2026 and I got off to a bad start. There is nothing worse than leaving the house and arriving at the train station only to find all trains have been delayed…
Tokyo Motorcycle Show 2025: A Photographer’s Guide & Gallery In March 2025, the air at Tokyo Big Sight was electric with the buzz of thousands of motorcycle lovers, and I was right there in the thick of it. It was my first time going to the Tokyo Motorcycle Show and it did not disappoint. It’s…
Taira no Masakado: Rebel Samurai Who Haunts and Guards Tokyo Taira no Masakado was a 10th-century warrior who led a rebellion against the Imperial Court. Following his death, he became one of Japan’s Three Great Onryo (vengeful spirits). Today, he is worshipped as a guardian of Tokyo at his “head mound” grave in Otemachi to…
Seeing Mount Fuji From Tokyo: Visibility Guide & Tips Seeing Mount Fuji from Tokyo is challenging, with it being visible only about 20% to 30% of the year. Visibility is highly seasonal, peaking at nearly 80% during winter months like December and January, while dropping below 10% in the humid summer. For the best chance,…