For years, a small pedestrian overpass in Sumida City offered one of the most unique and futuristic views of the Tokyo Skytree. From the Azumabashi Pedestrian Overpass, long-exposure photography could transform car headlights and taillights into what looked like sci-fi laser beams converging on the tower.
Sadly, this Tokyo photo spot no longer exists; the overpass has been removed. This article now serves as a memorial to that fantastic view and a technical breakdown of how photographers were able to capture this iconic shot. Let’s take a look back.
The pedestrian bridge was a brilliant spot for taking photos of Tokyo Skytree. It was perfect for light trail photography. The beams look like laser bolts racing toward their target.
I’m sure you’ve seen Star Wars. X-Wings and Tie fighters flying low over the Death Star, shooting laser beams at each other. That is one of the coolest scenes from sci-fi history. And you could recreate it.
The key to this shot was a long exposure, which required a sturdy tripod and a cable release. The technique itself was straightforward. The road seems to go straight to the tower. In reality, it doesn’t, but it seems to.
One of the challenges of the location was that a major road passed directly underneath. This meant you had to be extremely careful not to drop filters or any other equipment onto the cars below.
How to capture the laser beams
- Camera location: on Azumabashi Pedestrian Overpass
- Tripod used: Yes
- Camera used: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 10-24mm (Version 1)
- Number of photos taken: Six
Was this a single shot? It could be, but to get dense light trails from traffic going in both directions, I found it best to stack multiple long exposures.
Camera settings
- Shutter speed: Each frame ranged from 31 to 36 seconds.
- Aperture: f/16
- ISO: 200
- If you want to know more about taking this type of photo, read our [How Do You Take Long-Exposure Photographs?] article.
- Film Simulation: Eterna
Notes on processing
I made basic Lightroom edits and then stacked the photos in Photoshop. After that, I transferred it back for more changes.
Where was the Azumabashi Pedestrian Overpass
For historical reference, this is where the bridge once stood.
- Address: Kiyosumi-Dori, 1 chōme-9 Azumabashi, Sumida City, Tokyo-to (in Japanese —> 東京都墨田区吾妻橋1-9).
- Nearest train/subway stations:
- Asakusa Station (Ginza Line): Leave by exit 4. The walk is roughly 500 meters.
- Honjo-Azumabashi Station. Leave by exits A1 or A3. The walk is roughly 400 meters.
- Here is the bridge on Google Maps:
Notes on lenses
First, I tried my 16-55mm. But even at 16mm, the field of view was too narrow. So I used the Fujifilm 10-24mm. The extra width gave a better result. That allowed me to include the buildings along the road. Overall, I’m satisfied with this photo.
Conclusion
The Azumabashi Pedestrian Overpass was a special place that offered a unique composition, turning a simple road into a runway for light. While it’s a shame it’s gone, the photographs from this spot remain a fantastic part of Tokyo’s recent history. It will be missed by many in the photography community.
Did you ever get the chance to photograph from this location? Please share your own photos and memories in the comments below.
More importantly, do you know of any other photo spots in Tokyo that create a similar effect with converging lines and a major landmark? Let’s help each other find the next great location!
Date of Photograph: 28 July 2024
