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 bare, and my heart sank a little. I thought the day might be a bust.
Capturing ume blossoms under grey skies
But then, the magic of photography took over. As I looked closer, I started to find them: resilient clusters of blossoms that had fought through the cold. My mission changed from capturing an overwhelming spectacle to celebrating these beautiful survivors. And just as I was getting into my rhythm, disaster struck—a sea of grey covered the skies. The clouds were a thick, mushy grey. Still, I was happy. I was in my element, taking photos of the plum blossom festival (or “ume matsuri” in Japanese).
I had fun. The flowers, though not fully formed, looked good; the grounds of the shrine were filled with people. And let’s be honest, getting out on a nice day in Tokyo is a reward in itself.
My photography gear for this shoot
For photos, I used my workhorse Fujinon XF 16-55mm and my new (at that time) XF 55-200mm lens. Both were great, but for different reasons.
The 55-200 has better bokeh, but for shooting flowers, it isn’t ideal. It has a minimum focus distance of over a meter, 1.1 meters, to be exact. In crowded places, that is less than ideal. On the positive side, though, the lens isn’t huge, and it is light. And it has stabilization! On this first outing, it gave me a favorable impression. Best of all, it came at a reasonable price. As for the 16-55, there isn’t much to say. It is a trusted piece of kit and got me the images the 55-200 couldn’t.
Final thoughts
In the end, even with the tricky weather and sparse blooms, the day was a success. It was a reminder that you can always find a beautiful photo if you’re willing to look for it. The Yushima Tenjin plum blossoms are now on my annual must-visit list.
Are you ready to see the shrine and flowers for yourself? I’ve compiled [Yushima Tenjin: Plum Blossom & Chrysanthemum Photo Guide] which has all the information you need to know.
Have you been? I’d love to hear about your own experience in the comments below!
