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. The 2019 showcase was particularly memorable, featuring…
My trip to Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival 2022 (つつじ祭り) started with a tough choice. With Tokyo’s spring flower season in full swing, it was either there or the tulips at Showa Memorial Park. I only had time for one. Knowing both would be crowded on a Saturday, I researched online and bet on Nezu Shrine…
The weather forecast promised sun, but Hanegi Park only had cloudy day flowers to offer me in February 2024. My heart sank. How could I capture the delicate beauty of the plum blossoms under flat, dreary light? The answer was easy: my flash. The trip to the park I caught the Keio-Inokashira Line train to…
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Photographers need backpacks that can comfortably and safely carry thousands of dollars’ worth of gear. The Lowepro Pro Trekker BP 350 AW II promises to be that solution for serious hobbyists and professionals. After putting it to the test since 2021,…
I wasn’t able to go to the 2026 Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival during the peak bloom, which turned out to be a mixed experience. It couldn’t be helped; I’ve started several new jobs recently, and making a living is a priority. However, since I have rarely missed this event over the last decade, I decided…
Tokyo Snapped is supported by its readers. As an Amazon and Klook Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. [Full Disclosure]. Every spring, Tokyo’s Nezu Shrine offers a spectacular display of azaleas. It’s a tradition known as the Bunkyo Azalea Festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri). With over 3,000 bushes of roughly 100 different…
After a long lockdown in Tokyo, the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens Rose Festival 2021 was a much-anticipated floral escape. I woke up to an overcast sky, but I wasn’t about to let that dampen my spirits. A trip to one of my favorite places in the city for a dose of roses was the perfect pick-me-up I…
For photographers in Tokyo, the Imperial Palace tour presents a tantalizing opportunity. It takes you inside the grounds of Japan’s most famous castle. It’s a landscape of massive stone gates, historic keeps, and sprawling courtyards. But with a guided tour, time is limited, and tripods are forbidden. So, is it actually a worthwhile trip for…
Every spring, Tokyo transforms into a canvas of pink, and few places are as atmospheric as Aoyama Cemetery. While it might seem unusual to visit a graveyard for sightseeing, this location offers some of the most stunning photo opportunities in the city. In 2022, I grabbed my camera to capture the Aoyama Cemetery cherry blossoms,…
Stepping into the All Japan Model & Hobby Show for the first time was an assault on the senses, in the best way possible. While it “only” occupied two of Tokyo Big Sight‘s cavernous South Halls, the space was a wonderland buzzing with the energy of thousands of fans. From the buzz of excitement around…
One of the last places I visited for hydrangeas (ajisai) in 2017 was Myōhōji Temple, tucked away in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward. I arrived quite late in the season, and many of the flowers were already beginning to fade. Still, the hour-long walk from my apartment was well worth it; even past their peak, the blooms…
If you are planning your trip to a future event, read [Sanja Matsuri Daigyoretsu: A Photographer’s Guide]. To learn more about my first adventure at the 2018 Daigyoretsu, read on. The Sanja Matsuri (or Sanja Festival) is a cornerstone of Tokyo’s cultural calendar. It draws approximately two million visitors over its three-day span every year….
In neon-lit Tokyo, long-exposure photography is very popular. If you want to learn how the technique is done, read [How to Take Long-Exposure Photographs: A Beginner’s Guide]. But you can read on now and see how I applied it in this article. Surrounded by maids and cosplayers, Akihabara’s colossal “fantasy fortress” is one of my…
Shinjuku Gyoen might be Tokyo’s most famous and most popular cherry blossom spots. You can read what gives it that reputation in [Shinjuku Gyoen is Tokyo’s Best Cherry Blossom Spot]. Now read on and learn more of my photographic adventures there in 2018. The 2018 cherry blossom season at Shinjuku Gyoen was, in a word,…
Shinjuku Gyoen might be Tokyo’s most famous and most popular park. Read what gives it that reputation in [Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden]. Every year it puts on a chrysanthemum exhibit. Read on to learn more of my photography adventures there in 2018. The 2018 Shinjuku Gyoen chrysanthemums were autumn gold. Under the clear skies of…
Nestled in the western suburbs of Tokyo, Nogawa Park offers a tranquil escape with a unique history—it was once a golf course. While it may not boast the historical prestige of Tokyo’s Edo-period gardens, for the discerning photographer, Nogawa Park is a seasonal treasure trove. It reveals its true beauty in fleeting moments throughout the…
If you are looking for a Tokyo photo spot that has a little bit of everything, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is it. From history and beautiful bridges to flowers and temples, this park delivers. Birdwatchers love it, too. Some might say it is perfect. Well, if it’s not, it must be incredibly close. Koishikawa Korakuen’s centerpiece…
I often talk about how photography can be a frustrating exercise in managing expectations. My 2018 trip to Yushima Tenjin was a perfect example. After a long, cold snap in Tokyo, I was worried the plum blossoms would be a complete no-show. My initial walk through the shrine grounds confirmed my fears—many branches were still…
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here. Like many who have studied Japanese, my first encounter with the literary giant Soseki Natsume was his classic novel, Botchan. While the specifics of the story have faded over the years, my fascination with the man himself has only grown. This…
Working my way through Tokyo Auto Salon 2020 in a single day required a pragmatic approach to both observation and movement. With 438 exhibitors and approximately 800 vehicles distributed throughout the Makuhari Messe, the scale of the event is significant. During its three-day run from January 10th to 12th, the venue saw a recorded attendance…