Mitama Festival 2017: Night Photography at Yasukuni Shrine The Mitama Festival 2017 at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine was a spectacular display of Japanese tradition, featuring over 30,000 glowing yellow lanterns. This mid-summer celebration is a prime location for night photography, offering a unique atmosphere where photographers capture the ‘matsuri’ spirit, traditional dances, and the iconic illuminated…
Sanja Festival 2025: Seeing through crowds with the Canon R5 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. The air in Asakusa crackled with energy. Shouts of “Wasshoi! Wasshoi!” echoed off the buildings. Teams of festival-goers, clad in traditional garb, heaved thousand-kilogram mikoshi (portable shrines) through the streets and…
Mitama Festival 2016 at Yasukuni Shrine: Photo Archive Imagine standing beneath a golden canopy of light, the summer air thick with humidity and history. This is the essence of the Mitama Festival (Mitama Matsuri). While Yasukuni Shrine is historically dedicated to the spirits of those who died defending Japan, the festival itself transcends politics. It…
Yasukuni Shrine Photo Guide Located in the heart of Chiyoda, Yasukuni Shrine carries a gravity that few other places in Tokyo can match. Founded by Emperor Meiji in 1869, it serves as a memorial for those who gave their lives for Japan, spanning from the Boshin War through World War II. Today, it draws five…
Reflections on the 2016 Sanno Festival Tokyo is a city defined by layers, where the ultra-modern wraps around the ancient. The Sanno Festival at Hie Shrine perfectly captures this duality, offering a compelling mix of color, tradition, and urban texture. While many flock to the festival for its chaotic energy, I explored its quieter side…
Sanja Matsuri 2017 Photo Journal from Asakusa This post focuses on my photographic experience at Sanja Matsuri 2017. If you are planning a future trip to the event, check out my [Sanja Festival: A Photographer’s Guide] for full information. Asakusa is rarely quiet, but every May during the Sanja Festival (Sanja Matsuri), this historic district…