Photographing Traditional Weddings at Meiji Shrine A Meiji Shrine wedding is steeped in tradition. They are a fusion of spectacle, kimonos, history, and cultural grandeur. Ready your camera! This is your chance to capture Tokyo’s most enchanting wedding moments and create unforgettable travel photos. Let’s head to this amazing venue to see them. Best days…
Shibuya Halloween 2017: A Photographic Prequel Halloween in Shibuya used to be a multi-day phenomenon. While the world looks forward to the big day, the initiated know that the energy in Shibuya once began building well before the big day. Before the crackdown, I and thousands of others would head to the famous crossing to…
Josiah Conder: Architect of Modern Tokyo’s Legacy In the heart of Tokyo, a city renowned for its futuristic skyscrapers and neon-lit streets, lies the foundational work of a visionary from across the seas. Josiah Conder, an English architect, left a mark on Japan’s capital, and that influence continues to be heard in the architectural landscape….
Yushukan Museum: A Photographer’s Guide Part of the famous Yasukuni Shrine, the Yushukan Museum offers a deep dive into Japan’s military history, with an extensive collection of swords, armor, aircraft, and tanks. Military history enthusiasts will find enough to stay occupied for hours, but photographers should be aware of a few important restrictions. First, it’s…
US-Japan Friendship Cup Championships 2024: Photos & Results Editor’s Note: This article covers the 2024 US-Japan Friendship Cup. For results and photos from the more recent 2025 competition, please see our new article. Fifty buff competitors muscled it out on stage for trophies and prizes at the 2024 US-Japan Friendship Cup Championships, and I was…
Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival 2017 Spring in Tokyo is synonymous with color, and few places promise a spectacle quite like the Bunkyo Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine. However, travel photography is often a game of timing, and even the best plans can fall victim to a busy schedule. On May 1, 2017, I finally arrived…
Harajuku’s Architectural Marvels: 10 Must-See Buildings I’ve often found Tokyo’s architecture to be dominated by concrete, steel, and glass boxes. However, Harajuku is leading a change, with a wave of interesting and innovative designs. Here are ten buildings along or near Omotesando that showcase this architectural evolution. Omotesando Keyaki Building This might be my favorite…
Aoyama Cemetery Cherry Blossoms: 2018 Photo Gallery I found myself back with the Aoyama Cemetery cherry blossoms in 2018. While I had hoped for a sunny day, the clouds had other plans. Still, the beauty of the sakura trees has a way of making you forget everything else, and I had a wonderful time. Photographing…
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…
Hanegi Park Plum Blossoms: Why ‘Real Cameras’ Still Matter Hanegi Park’s plum blossoms in 2022 weren’t just a feast for the eyes. They offered a glimpse of hope for both Tokyo’s spirit and the future of photography. Beneath the blooms, I found myself reflecting on more than seasonal beauty. As shutters clicked around me, something…
Hachitama Observatory: A Photographer’s Odaida Dream Are you searching for the best Tokyo photo spots? The Hachitama Observatory is the place for you with superb panoramic views of Tokyo Bay, the Rainbow Bridge, and Tokyo Tower. The observatory is atop the Fuji TV headquarters building in Odaiba, and it is a dream for photographers seeking…
AnimeJapan 2017 Photography: Cosplay and Models AnimeJapan 2017 was a visual playground of cosplay, intricate models, and larger-than-life characters. For a photographer like me, it wasn’t just an event. It was a collection of unforgettable moments, lessons learned, and yes, a few regrets. Join me as I revisit the experience. There were many great things…
Asakusa Samba Carnival 2024: Photography & Highlights It was a hot one in every sense of the word. The 2024 Asakusa Samba Carnival was a roaring success. But performers and the parade had to sizzle under an unseasonable mid-September sun. With temperatures soaring into the mid-thirties, the heat was as intense as the action. For…
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…
Gokokuji Temple: A Tokyo Photo Guide Tokyo is a city of contrasts, but few places offer the serenity and visual splendor of Gokokuji. While it boasts stunning historical architecture, it is the atmosphere that truly captivates. In spring, it becomes as pretty as a picture, framed by soft blooms. A bronze Buddha sits meditatively in…
28th Yokohama Custom Hot Rod Show Report (2019) Stepping into the Pacifico Yokohama for the 28th Yokohama Custom Hot Rod Show was like entering a different dimension. It was 2019, and the air was thick with the anticipation of thousands of petrolheads in seventh heaven. From the moment I walked in, I was surrounded by…
Nezu Shrine: A Photography Guide to an Edo-Era Sanctuary Nezu Shrine commands a quiet confidence in a city known for its kinetic energy. It may not possess the global name recognition of other Tokyo heavyweights, but the atmosphere here more than compensates for the lack of crowds. Two things define this location: the history, which…
Shooting Kanda River Cherry Blossoms with a Fuji 35mm f/1.4 I photographed the Kanda River cherry blossoms again in 2020. That year, I had planned to photograph some new places. But due to the pandemic, that didn’t happen. It was a disastrous flower photography season. At least I had something close to home to fall…
Plane Spotting at Haneda Airport: A Tokyo Guide The roar of a jet engine has a way of commanding attention. While I have been an aviation enthusiast for as long as I can remember, I realized in 2021 that I had never actually attempted to capture jetliners with a camera. Well, I shot military aircraft…
Japan Cricket Blast: A Tokyo Photo Story The sharp crack of a plastic bat hitting a ball, followed by a flurry of small legs and excited shouts, isn’t the typical sound of a park in Akishima, Tokyo. But this was the scene at the 2020 Japan Cricket Blast Mayor’s Cup. It was my first chance…