Travel Photography

10 Finest Pictures Areas in Tokyo

The capital metropolis of Japan is an unimaginable place to {photograph}. No matter fashion of pictures you take pleasure in Tokyo could have you lined.
Town has the status of a really trendy metropolis, and it doesn’t disappoint. You’ll discover neon lights all through town, and the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings on the earth!
Tokyo calls for you give it sufficient time to totally recognize it. Learn on and discover out about the very best pictures places in Tokyo.

 

10. Shinjuku

Shinjuku is an attention-grabbing space of town. Whether or not you’re wanting on the massive crowds of individuals, the numerous neon lights, or the skyscrapers of the enterprise district, this space may be very a lot trendy Japan.
You’ll want just a little time to correctly surprise round this space, with the very best time to go to is the night.

Kabukicho

This can be a vibrant nightlife district inside the Shinjuku space. In a metropolis filled with neon lights, that is the place you’ll discover most of them. These neon lights are why it’s value coming right here within the night.
Come through the day too. You’ll be able to {photograph} the well-known Tyrannosaurus Rex because it scales the tall buildings of the world.

Memory lane in Shinjuku - best Tokyo photography locations
Reminiscence lane in Shinjuku is an incredible place to take road photographs.

Reminiscence Lane

The temper you get on this space makes for some unimaginable road picture alternatives. This slim alleyway lit up with conventional lanterns is house to a number of eating places and consuming institutions.
It’s very talked-about amongst employees from the close by enterprise district.

Shinjuku Enterprise District

The biggest focus of tall buildings in Tokyo may be present in Shinjuku. This provides you loads of potential topics for some trendy structure pictures.
Among the many most well-known are the Metropolitan authorities constructing, the Mode Gakeun Cocoon tower and the Sompo Japan constructing.
The Sompo Japan constructing is a good topic, because it sits proper in entrance of a pleasant intersection that makes for a wonderful foreground.
It’s a good suggestion to convey a large angle lens with you, to get probably the most out of this district.
Finest time to go to – Night and all through the night time.
Location – Reminiscence lane, Kabukicho, Sompo constructing.

The bustling cityscape of Kabukicho night life area in Tokyo at night - tokyo japan photography
Kabukicho is an evening life space in Tokyo which has many neon strip mild.

9. Shibuya

Shibuya is one other space of Tokyo the place you’ll get your justifiable share of neon lights, procuring, and dynamic vitality. Discovering some aspect alleys is the very best method to get a very moody picture.
The large draw for many individuals and this consists of photographers, is the busiest road crossing on the earth. This intersection holds the document for probably the most variety of folks crossing it at one time.
There are just a few places you need to use to {photograph} this place, so let’s break it down.

  • Road degree – With so many individuals, this crossing clearly offers you road pictures alternatives. Intention to point out context by together with different passersby, and maybe the white traces of the zebra crossing. You might additionally try to have a pal keep nonetheless, when you expose for 1/2 second, to seize the movement blur round them.
  • Starbucks – On the other aspect of the road to the Shibuya subway station is a Starbucks. This sits on the second flooring, with views overlooking the junction. This can be a good choice for a barely elevated view.
  • Magnet by Shibuya 109 – Now for that scene-setting picture. Pictures taken at road degree received’t present simply how many individuals are crossing . Meaning you’ll must go roof-topping, and thankfully, there’s a roof that’s open to the general public. You’ll must {photograph} via a glass, so be careful for reflections. Use a large angle lens to seize the entire scene.

Finest time to go to – Go to through the night rush hour, to make sure the crossing is busy with folks.
Location – Magnet by Shibuya 109.

Aerial view of a bustling cityscape - tokyo japan photography
That is stated to be the busiest road crossing on the earth.

8. The Tokyo Skytree

The brand new tower on the town is the Tokyo Skytree. It opened in 2012 and dominates the skyline. This tower presents two kinds of picture, the photographs of it, and the photographs from it.

  • The view – Standing at 634m, this tower affords nice views of the encircling space. On a transparent day, you’ll be capable of take a sequence of photographs to create a stitched panoramic picture that reveals Tokyo in all its glory.
  • The tower – The tower itself affords an amazing point of interest for a cityscape picture of Tokyo. Examples may embrace juxtaposing the pagoda on the close by Sensoji temple in opposition to the Skytree tower. Alternatively, discover a viewpoint which you can {photograph} the Skytree from one other constructing. Lastly, there are places nearer the bottom of the tower. These can be utilized to {photograph} the tower from road degree.

Finest time to go to – Throughout mid-morning for a day time view of Tokyo, or within the night for a blue hour picture.
Location – The Tokyo Skytree.

The Tokyo Skytree, this photo is a single exposure.
This picture reveals the Tokyo Skytree, this picture is a single publicity.

7. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower

An excellent view over Tokyo is feasible from the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. It has a viewing gallery at 250m excessive and an out of doors sky deck at 27om. This tower is among the prime places to get a transparent view of the enterprise districts of town, and a view in direction of Tokyo Tower.
It’s the view in direction of Tokyo Tower that you need to go to. The photographs taken listed below are finest achieved through the day, or because the blue hour approaches.
Do you have to {photograph} from the indoor viewing space, be sure to’re cautious to keep away from reflections on the glass you’re photographing via.
Finest time to go to – Mid-afternoon and into the night.
Location – The Mori Tower.

The iconic Tokyo Tower among a sprawling cityscape - best photography location in Tokyo
The enduring Tokyo Tower is one other location value visiting on a visit to Tokyo.

6. The Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities Constructing

Tokyo is a metropolis of tall buildings. That is one more one you possibly can {photograph} from. The benefit this constructing has over a number of the others is that it’s free!
The view from the highest additionally affords a distinct perspective than the opposite towers. You’re extra within the centre of the place all the opposite tall buildings in Tokyo are concentrated.
On a transparent day, you’ll additionally be capable of see Mount Fuji from this location. That is additionally true of all the opposite towers as effectively although.

Worm’s Eye View

This constructing additionally affords an amazing picture from road degree wanting up. Throughout the authorities constructing advanced, there’s a round wall. This wall rings a central courtyard like space in entrance of the 2 towers.
It’s doable to {photograph} wanting up, after which use this wall to border the towers. To do that picture justice you’ll want an extremely vast angle lens.
A lens with a focal size wider than 15mm or a full body digital camera is what you’re .
Finest time to go to – The blue hourLocation – The Tokyo Metropolitan Constructing.
A black and white cityscapes - best Toykoo japan photography locations

5. Harajuku

The beating coronary heart of Tokyo’s youth tradition is the explanation you’ll wish to go to Harajuku. In years passed by that is the world of city you’d discover cosplayers dressing up, and visiting Yoyogi park.
It’s nonetheless doable to see cosplayers right here, however instances have modified and it’s rather a lot much less widespread today. There are many different issues to draw the attention of photographer right here although.
One such location is the highest finish of Takeshita road, from the place you’ll get a transparent line of website down this busy procuring road. One nice picture you possibly can take right here is of the mass of individuals as they transfer alongside the road.
Harajuku can also be house to varied animal cafes, and also you’re allowed to take photographs of the pets inside.

Cosplay

The Harajuku lady wearing vibrant cosplay has been an attraction for photographers in latest instances. Although it’s much less widespread to see in Harajuku now, there are nonetheless individuals who take pleasure in dressing up.
To actually have an opportunity to see extra of this a part of Japanese tradition it’s higher to go to an occasion. You’ll must plan your journey to coincide with one in every of these, however you’ll be assured some superb portraits.
Finest time to go to – Go to through the day, and on the weekend. Sunday afternoon is the very best time to see cosplayers.
Location – Harajuku.
A cosplayer in Harajuku - photos of tokyo japan

4. Asakusa

Having loved the neon lights of Shinjuku, and the youthful vitality of Harajuku, it’s now time to see the extra conventional aspect of Tokyo in Asakusa.
There are a lot of eating places and alleyways to take pleasure in right here. The central hub of the world is the Sensoji temple.
That is the place you’ll be capable of {photograph} some conventional Japanese tradition and see Buddhism being practised.

  • Kaminarimon gate – The thunder gate is among the most photographed buildings in Tokyo. With its large pink lantern and supporting construction, it’s very photogenic. To be able to keep away from the crowds, you’ll want to go to right here early within the morning.
  • Sensoji temple – The trail from Kaminarimon leads as much as Sensoji temple, a wonderful temple in the course of town. The picture of the Hozomon gate with the five-story pagoda within the background is a well-liked picture to take right here.
  • Road pictures – That is an space with nice potential for road pictures. With devotees and plenty of incense smoke round, you will get photographs with quite a lot of moods. You’ll additionally see folks wearing conventional Kimono costume on this space, with the possibility to distinction them once more folks in up to date clothes.

Finest time to go to – Early morning to keep away from the crowds. Mid-morning to see life across the temple. Blue hour for photographs of the illuminated temple.
Location – Sensoji temple.

A photo of the five story pagoda at Sensoji templeproduced using light painting.
This picture of the five-story pagoda at Sensoji temple was produced utilizing mild portray.

3. Odaiba

The Odaiba space of Tokyo is alongside the waterfront of the Sumida river, just a little exterior the centre of town. There are a number of explanation why you need to go to as a photographer, such because the duplicate of the Statue of Liberty, or the native amusement park.
The primary purpose is to {photograph} the Odaiba rainbow bridge. There are a number of glorious viewpoints for the bridge, and you may also take photographs as you go alongside the bridge in your approach to Odaiba.

  • The practice to Odaiba – The practice you catch to Odaiba is a monorail. You’ll be able to sit on the entrance of the practice and take photographs via the entrance window whereas the practice is transferring. Because the practice passes over the bridge, it goes via a tunnel-like construction, and you may create attention-grabbing movement blur photographs because the practice is transferring. You’ll must go handheld, so exposures of round 1/4th of a second work effectively.
  • The bridge – There are quite a few viewpoints to {photograph} the bridge, with the cityscape within the background. You’ll be able to {photograph} alongside the river financial institution with rocks within the foreground, or use an elevated viewing platform. There may be additionally a location it’s essential to pay to enter, with arguably the very best view. There’s a sphere commentary room hooked up to the Fuji TV constructing, however examine the opening instances earlier than you go to.

Finest time to go to – A few hours earlier than sundown for the bridge movement blur. Blue hour for photographs of the bridge.
Location – Odaiba.

A motion blur photo on the train to Odaiba - tokyo photography locations
Taking movement blur photographs on the practice to Odaiba is widespread.

2. Eitai Bridge

It’s what you possibly can {photograph} from right here that can draw you to this location. You’ll must arrive early as effectively. It’s not unusual for this place to be crowded with different photographers.
The explanation to go to right here is to seize the transferring boats as they go beneath you and transfer down the river. Forward is a bunch of residence buildings, and it will present the principle focus to your picture.
The placement of those residences is the place the river splits, some boats go left and others go proper.

Nighttime Lengthy Publicity

This isn’t a daytime picture both. You’ll must arrive round sundown and start photographing through the blue hour. Select your composition with care. You received’t wish to transfer your digital camera in any respect for round one hour.
Now await boats to go underneath the bridge, and seize their mild trails as they cruise down the river. Boats transfer a lot slower than vehicles. To be able to seize the sunshine trails, you’ll must put the digital camera on steady hearth.
Expose for 30 seconds every time, and purpose to seize a number of boats throughout a sequence of maybe 100 photographs. Lastly, these mild trails have to be merged collectively and layered on high of one another utilizing post-processing.
Finest time to go to – Attain the situation half-hour earlier than sundown.
Location – Eitai bridge.

A cityscape with light trails photo taken by layering many photos on top of each other - tokyo photography .
These mild path photographs have been taken by layering many photographs on high of one another.

1. Hamarikyu Gardens

Tokyo incorporates a number of inexperienced areas value visiting, with locations like Ueno and Harajuku providing good alternate options to this. The Hamarikyu gardens are particularly lovely although.
They are often accessed by riverboat from Asakusa, or you need to use the subway and make the brief stroll to them. The gardens include a number of paths canopied by the bushes and a few good ponds. You’ll be capable of juxtapose a number of the extra trendy metropolis buildings in opposition to the inexperienced area of this park.
Lastly in the course of the park is an idyllic tea home from the place you possibly can take pleasure in a pleasant view and a pleasant cup of tea. A bit of food and drinks pictures is perhaps an choice on the tea home as effectively.
Finest time to go to – Throughout the day, on a sunny day.
Location – Hamarikyu gardens.

Hamarku gardens - best tokyo photography cations
These mild path photographs have been taken by layering many photographs on high of one another.

Important Day Journeys From Tokyo

It’s effectively value getting out of Tokyo, with some superb places inside simple attain. The Japanese railway community makes these journeys simple to plan, with common and dependable trains.
Right here you’ll uncover three places which can make nice day-trips.

Nikko

To go to Nikko and do it justice you’ll must make an early begin. It can take you round 2 hours to succeed in this city by practice, and you may depart from Asakusa.
There are a number of locations value visiting. It’s doable to see all of them in case you arrive early sufficient.

  • Toshogu shrine – Nikko has many shrines, however maybe that is an important one you possibly can go to. It’s value visiting within the early morning in case you can, forward of the crowds.
  • Kammangafucchi gorge – This gorge incorporates traces of Buddha statues. These statues all have pink woollen hats and a bib. This provides an amazing coloration distinction to the pure greens within the background.
  • Kegon waterfall – A bit of exterior Nikko is the Kegon waterfall near lake Chuzengi. There are a number of viewing platforms from the place you possibly can {photograph} the waterfall on the website.

Getting there – There are a number of choices to succeed in Nikko by rail.

Lines of Buddha statues - best toyko photo spots
Traces of Buddha statues make for an amazing picture.

Yokohama

Now a big metropolis to the south of Tokyo, Yokohama was as soon as a sleepy fishing village. That every one adjustments when Yokohama turned a treaty port that allowed overseas buying and selling within the nineteenth century.
This historical past signifies that the city incorporates some attention-grabbing structure from that period, along with the trendy buildings discovered alongside the waterfront.
Yokohama is a good metropolis to go to for cityscape photographs, and for a go to to its Chinatown.
Getting there – Yokohama is lower than an hour from Tokyo by practice.

The waterfront area of Yokohama at night
The waterfront space of Yokohama is effectively value photographing.

Kamakura

Together with Nikko, a go to to Kamakura will mean you can see extra of Japan’s cultural heritage. The large Buddha statue at Kotokuin temple is sort of actually the most important attraction on the town.
There are many temples and shrines to go to on a really worthwhile day-trip to this city.
Getting there – You’ll must take two trains. The primary to succeed in Kamakura station, and a second to succeed in Hase station, which is nearer to the historic centre.

The giant Buddha in Kamakura, captured inside a lensball.
The large Buddha in Kamakura, captured inside a lensball.

Tokyo Capsule Lodge

There are many good choices for locations to remain in Japan. The thought of staying in a capsule lodge isn’t for everybody, and you will have tried one in every of these exterior of Japan.
Should you solely ever keep in a single capsule lodge in your life although, make it the 9 hours capsule in Japan. This can be a chain of motels, so you will discover them in different cities in Japan as effectively.
It’s ultra-modern, you’ll really feel such as you’re staying in an area ship. It’s additionally doable to get an incredible picture of the road of capsules. Simply keep away from disturbing different visitors in case you look to take a photograph right here.

The capsule hotels in Japan - best tokyo photography spots
The capsule motels in Japan can look very trendy.