Inside Tokyo Auto Salon 2020: A Photo Gallery This photographic archive documents the Tokyo Auto Salon 2020, showcasing the pinnacle of Japanese automotive culture and custom car tuning. Featuring previously unpublished images, the gallery highlights innovative vehicle builds, aftermarket designs, and performance trends from leading manufacturers. It serves as a visual record of the evolution…
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…
Miyazaki Ghibli Clock: Timed Perfection in Tokyo As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Are you a Ghibli fan? Have you tried to get tickets to the museum in Mitaka? I’ve heard it can be difficult. Well, there is something else you can do if you can’t get…
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…
Miyamasumitake Shrine: Wolves in Shibuya As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Tokyo has many lesser-known places. You can walk along a street of modern buildings, and an old temple or shrine is nestled among them. It can be surprising when it happens, but it’s not unusual. One…
Koishikawa Botanical Garden: A Tokyo Photography Guide Koishikawa Botanical Garden is Tokyo’s oldest research garden, managed by the University of Tokyo. Unlike manicured city parks, it offers a raw, forest-like atmosphere perfect for nature and macro photography. Located in Bunkyo, it is a rare spot where photographers can use tripods to capture diverse seasonal plant…
Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower: Tokyo Architecture Photography The Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower is a 204 meter skyscraper located in the Nishi-Shinjuku district of Tokyo. Completed in 2008 by Tange Associates, this 50 story educational building is famous for its curved shape and aluminum diagrid exterior. It is a premier destination for architectural photography in Japan….
Free Tokyo Bay Views at Caretta Shiodome Sky View Caretta Shiodome Sky View is a free observation area on the 46th floor of the Dentsu Building in Tokyo. Located 200 meters above ground, it offers panoramic vistas of Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge, and Odaiba. It is a premier spot for photographers because tripods are permitted…
Iruma Air Show 2024: Canon R5 Field Test The Canon EOS R5 excels at aviation photography, as demonstrated at the JASDF Iruma Air Show 2024. Its 45-megapixel sensor provides immense cropping flexibility for distant aircraft, while the advanced vehicle tracking autofocus ensures sharp focus on fast-moving jets. For photographers, it delivers professional-grade performance and resolution…
Yoyogi Park Cherry Blossoms in 2023 Photographing Yoyogi Park cherry blossoms 2023 offered unique challenges due to unpredictable weather. For optimal results, photographers should visit on weekdays to minimize crowds. Using a wide-angle lens, such as the Fujifilm 10-24mm, provides a distinct perspective of the blossoms and the blue sheet hanami culture found throughout this…
Nakagin Capsule Tower: A Tokyo Photography Lesson I’ve heard some photographers say photography can stop time. When you hit that shutter button, everything freezes. Do you believe that? It can’t. No way. Nothing controls time, least of all a camera. Yes, I know these people are simply misspeaking. But it annoys the heck out of…
The Art of Iron: 2025 US-Japan Bodybuilding Cup The art of iron refers to the meticulous process of sculpting the human physique through bodybuilding, disciplined nutrition, and resistance training. Rather than just lifting weights, athletes treat their bodies as a medium, using calculated repetitions to ‘chisel’ muscle. This dedication was on full display in the…
Autumn Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Trees and Supercars Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a premier Tokyo photography location known for its golden autumn leaves. During the peak season in late November, the street attracts an array of supercars and classic vehicles. This creates a unique opportunity to photograph high-end automotive design against a backdrop of brilliant…
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…
Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens: A Review of a Michael Pronko Book As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. If you’ve spent any time on TokyoSnapped, you know that Tokyo isn’t just a city. The metropolis has a mood and vibe of its own. It’s the way a person leaves…
Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park Photo Guide Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park is a 25-hectare nature reserve in Ota City, home to over 200 bird species. Located near Haneda Airport, it provides photographers with tidal ponds, freshwater habitats, and specialized observation huts. It is a premier location for capturing seasonal migrations and resident wildlife within…
Kaminarimon: Photographing the Sanja Festival 2026 The Sanja Festival 2026 at Kaminarimon featured a significant shift in crowds as the main Honsha Mikoshi toured local neighborhoods which could be followed by using GPS tracking. Photographers enjoyed neighborhood shrines at Thunder Gate, and opportunities for street portraits amidst preparations in the lead up to the 2028…
Japanese Women’s Cricket under Cherry Blossoms Photographing the 2021 Japan women’s national cricket squad trials in Sano offers a unique blend of professional sports and seasonal beauty. This gallery captures elite athletes during fitness tests and match play under blooming cherry blossoms. Using a Fujifilm X-T3, these images document the growth of cricket in Japan…
Does Tokyo Look Like Coruscant? Tokyo often resembles Coruscant from the Star Wars universe because of its vast urban sprawl and dense architecture. Photographers can capture this sci-fi aesthetic best from the I-Link Tower in Chiba. The 45th-floor viewing deck offers a perfect perspective of the city’s endless concrete, steel, and glass horizon. Coruscant? Does…
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…