Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition: A 2019 Retrospective 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…
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…
Photographing Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemum Exhibition 2021 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 a small price to pay for such a…
Why My Polarizing Filter Failed Me 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…
Photos of 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….
Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemums 2018 Shinjuku Gyoen might be Tokyo’s most famous and most popular park. You can read what gives it that reputation in [Shinjuku Gyoen: A Photography Guide to Tokyo’s Urban Oasis]. Every year it puts on a chrysanthemum exhibit. Read on to learn more of my photography adventures there in 2018. The 2018…
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…
A Photographer’s Guide to Hibiya Park Editor’s Note: The central water fountain has been demolished and is being rebuilt along with some landscaping. It should be completed in early 2026. In the bustling heart of Tokyo, just a stone’s throw from the Imperial Palace, government offices, and major corporations, is an urban sanctuary: Hibiya Park….
Yushima Tenjin: Plum Blossom & Chrysanthemum Photo Guide Yushima Tenjin is another of Tokyo’s important shrines. You’ll find it in Bunkyo Ward. It isn’t big, but it is famous for its flowers in spring and autumn. The architecture is impressive too. For photographers, this place should be on their bucket list. The shrine’s flowers are…
Canon EOS R5 Field Test: 2024 Shinjuku Gyoen Chrysanthemums 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…
Shinjuku Gyoen: A Photography Guide to Tokyo’s Urban Oasis Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is one of Tokyo’s most versatile photography locations, featuring a blend of traditional Japanese, English Landscape, and French Formal garden styles. Ideal for landscape and portrait photography, the park peaks during the spring cherry blossom season and vibrant autumn foliage, offering a…