Kworld Trend / The 8 best places to take pictures in tokyo
The 8 best places to take pictures in tokyo
On the main island of Japan, near the famous Mount Fuji, lies Tokyo, one of the world’s most exciting and diverse cities. From bustling spots like Shibuya Crossing to idyllic gardens filled with cherry blossoms and the contemplative serenity of Buddhist temples, Japan’s capital never fails to attract attention. Tokyo is also one of the most impressive places on the planet, where you will get the best photos and find the most Instagrammable spots. Still, this city is enormous and relatively complex to navigate. That’s why we bring you this travel guide with the 10 best photo spots in Tokyo. The 8 best places to take pictures
Photographic spots in Tokyo
This bustling metropolis is all about contrasts: futuristic skyscrapers and towers rise close to alleyways that will take you back to the time of geishas in kimono. There are also entire neighborhoods inspired by anime, streets clustered with glamorous neon signs, quirky coffee shops, and the world’s best boutiques.
Are you ready to walk through the torii gate and say Konnichiwa ?
1. Asakusa
Asakusa is one of the most famous sights in Tokyo. It can sometimes feel like a trip back to old Tokyo, but it also boasts some very trendy scenery.
For a glimpse of modern Tokyo and an excellent backdrop for your photos, head to the banks of the Sumida River. From here, you can admire the giant Tokyo Skytree, the tallest building in Japan, and the interesting Asahi headquarters building, designed by Philippe Starck, with a golden flame at the top. One of the best spots to take in the view is the Azumabashi Bridge, an attraction in itself with its vibrant red colour.
With a vintage appeal filled with photo opportunities, Hanayashiki Amusement Park is one of Japan’s oldest. It has more than two dozen rides for visitors of all ages, including classics such as a roller coaster, carousel, and haunted house.
Not far away, you will find one of the best places to buy souvenirs in the whole of Tokyo. Cross the impressive Kaminarimon, also known as the Thunder Gate, with its famous red lantern, and walk to Nakamise-dori, the oldest shopping street in Japan. An array of stalls offer everything from traditional artifacts and accessories to delicious street food – fried mochi is a delicacy that must be tried.
Top tip: From Asakusa, you can hop on a boat to experience Tokyo from a whole different angle. The 8 best places to take pictures
2. Sensoji Temple
At the end of Nakamise-dori, which dates back over a thousand years, you’ll find Asakusa’s main attraction: Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. The impressive main hall is another great photo opportunity, especially if you catch one of the many women in colorful floral kimonos in the background.
While on the temple grounds, you will surely feel the aroma of large incense burners; Buddhists believe smoke has healing powers. Opposite the main hall is a hard-to-miss five-story pagoda, one of the few still standing in Tokyo and one of the best filming locations in the complex.
The area can get a little crowded during the day, but it’s much quieter in the evening when everything is beautifully lit up.
3. harajuku
Even if you’re not a fan of anime or “kawaii” culture, the Harajuku district is a cultural hotspot that can’t be missed during your visit to Tokyo. Just a few steps away from Harajuku Station, stroll down Takeshita Street and lose yourself among the city’s most quirky shops selling everything from gothic clothing and cosplay to brightly colored neon-like costumes. Everything here is over the top, but in a good way, and the ultra-fashionable youngsters roaming the streets are all part of the scene.
Even Harajuku street food is extravagant, and will make your Instagram feed pop. We’re talking rainbow grilled cheese, giant cotton candy flowers, and animal-shaped ice cream.
Here’s an idea: why not go a little out of control and take a bold look for a visit to Harajuku? It will fit you perfectly.
Even if you like something more subdued or laid back, Harajuku has something for you. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando provides an excellent shopping experience. An escalator with sparkling mirrors is an Instagram-worthy escalator. Harajuku is also home to the relaxing Yoyogi Park. The 8 best places to take pictures
4. Meiji Shrine
You don’t need to go to Kyoto or Kamakura to see the amazing temples. The magnificent Meiji Shrine, or Meiji Jingu as the locals refer to it, is a Shinto shrine completed in 1920 in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, both of whom passed away a few years earlier. The complex was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt soon after.
Today, the Meiji Shrine is one of the most famous landmarks in Japan and a piece of paradise near the overwhelming Harajuku.
One of the majestic Torii gates will welcome you into the shrine, marking the crossing between the earthly and sacred realms. This perfect piece of Japanese architecture is a great place to take pictures. ⛩ Around the shrine, there is a lush forest made up of hundreds of thousands of beautiful trees.
As you approach the intricate main hall, you’ll notice a line of brightly colored sake barrels emblazoned with Japanese characters. In the Japanese tradition, there is a connection between sake and spirituality. The barrels symbolize offerings to the gods.
Not only the main hall, but also the secondary shrines are perfect examples of Japanese Shinto architecture. If you are lucky, you can witness a Shinto ceremony.
For more beautiful photos, look to the indoor garden known for its iris flowers. In June, the garden is in full bloom, a kaleidoscope of varying shades of blues, purples, and whites. The 8 best places to take pictures
5. Shinjuku
Shinjuku is a bustling commercial and entertainment district with an endless array of shops, cafes, and restaurants surrounding the world’s busiest Shinjuku Station. This area brings together the best that this mega city has to offer.
You can see everything from above and get some great photos by going up to the 45th floor of the tallest building in the area, the DC Government Office. It’s free, and you’ll get amazing 360-degree images of Tokyo. The queue can be long, but that’s because they don’t allow too many people at the same time on the observation deck, which means you have plenty of room to take pictures.
On land, head to Omoide Yokocho, a network of alleyways once famous for lesser-known drinking dens. Today this spot still has a bohemian vibe, even if it has acted more like it, with its many small izakayas, eye-catching bars with paper lamps, and wood facades.
Shinjuku is also home to Kabukicho, Tokyo’s largest red-light district and a trendy spot for street photography at night because of its mesmerizing neon lights. The Zone is a proper visual extravaganza with great sci-fi vibes. Near Kabukicho is the Golden Gai, an alley with hundreds of small restaurants and bars, some of them rather eccentric. There is no better place to grab a drink and immerse yourself in Tokyo’s underground culture. Kanpai !
6. Jeon Park
Located in Shinjuku, Gyoen Park is the largest green area in Tokyo and was once the garden of the imperial family. Since the late 1940s it has been open to the public, and is especially popular each spring when it attracts people from all over the world. Why?
You guessed it. People flock here to witness one of the most beautiful sights in Japan: the cherry blossoms. Gyoen is known as one of the best places to take pictures in Tokyo and experience what the Japanese call the sakura season.
If you’re not in Tokyo in the spring, don’t worry. The park is beautiful all year round. It has immaculate lawns, charming walking paths, ponds, and three different landscapes: Japanese (obviously), French, and English. The Taiwan Pavilion is also a great place to take photos and one of the very rare buildings with an authentic Chinese style in Japan.
This urban paradise also has a restaurant, an art gallery, and a greenhouse with many tropical flowers. With pictures taken around every corner and a sense of natural peace, you’ll even forget you’re in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world.
The 8 best places to take pictures
7. Shibuya
Bustling, trendy and fun – it’s Shibuya, the beating heart of Tokyo and a location beloved by the trendy Japanese crowd.
The biggest star of this area is the very busy and orderly Shibuya Crossing. The spot has become a symbol of the dynamism of Tokyo and one of the most popular places in Japan for street photography. Notice how people hurriedly cross, but no one bumps into each other (except maybe if they’re tourists taking selfies).
Shibuya Crossing is one of the few places in the world that we recommend you visit when it is most crowded, which is rush hour, between 6pm and 9pm.
For a different perspective on things, you can observe the hustle and bustle from the second floor of Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya, which is an excellent place to view the crossing from above. Another option is to go up to the 11th floor of the Hikari Building, where there is a free observation deck with high windows.
Shibuya is also an excellent place to hang out at hipster cafés, shop in trendy boutiques, and explore a thriving independent art scene. This area is quintessential Tokyo, and will remind you of what this wonderful metropolis is all about.
8. Kagurazaka
Also near Shinjuku is the trendy Kagurazaka district, known for its fine French restaurants, chic boutiques, and art galleries. Not coincidentally, it is also known as Little Paris.
Elegance and grace are really the essence of this place. Kagurazaka used to be the center of vision for the world famous geisha. This heritage can still be found in the area’s cobbled streets, which are filled with traditional kimono shops, ryōtei restaurants (which only accept guests on a referral basis), and even a geisha agency. Even though we are in the 21st century, you can still see some of these glamorous and gorgeous women walking down the alleys between meetings.
Look out for Kakurenbo Yokocho Alley and Hyogo Yokocho Alley, both of which are incredibly photogenic. Behind the black lacquered walls of what were once samurai homes, you’ll find more upmarket restaurants and cafes. Besides being beautiful places to take pictures, the atmosphere of these narrow streets is a peek into Japan’s historic Edo period. The 8 best places to take pictures
For more history, look for the 16th-century Zenkokuji Temple on Kagurazaka Main Street. It will grab your attention with its charming orange gate and Japanese lanterns and will be a great background for photos.
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9. Ginza
Every major city has an upscale and luxurious district. In Tokyo, the Ginza district is located, which is the most expensive shopping area in the city. Cho Dori, the main street, is a shopping paradise lined with department stores and luxury brand boutiques. On weekends, the road is closed to pedestrians and becomes a lively shopping promenade.
Ginza is also synonymous with fancy cocktail bars, coffee shops, nightclubs, and sushi restaurants—all, of course, on the premium price side.
But it’s not all about consumer luxury here; Ancient Japanese art forms also have some space. The iconic Kabukiza Theater has been destroyed many times by fire, earthquake and war. However, it reopened in 2013 to stage kabuki performances, a traditional theatrical form characterized by highly choreographed costumes, glamorous makeup, and exaggerated performances. The facade of the theater was reconstructed in the Japanese Baroque style before the Edo period, evoking the era’s castles and shrines.
For a different panorama, relax in the nearby Hama Rikyu Gardens. Overlooking Tokyo Bay, this is a great place if you want to escape the crowds. Have a cup of tea at the teahouse in the garden and contemplate the beauty of the ginkgo and maple trees around you in one of the best photo spots in Tokyo. The 8 best places to take pictures
10. Tokyo Tower
Probably one of the most recognizable symbols of the Japanese capital and one of the best places to take pictures in Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower is an ideal location for the best views. The tower has two observation decks: the main deck is 150 meters above the ground, offering a glass floor; The upper deck, 250 meters into the sky, offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.
On very clear days, you can see Mount Fuji rising mightily on the horizon. The base of the tower also contains entertainment options, such as restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops.
Not only the view but the tower itself is amazing and meaningful. Its design was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and the structure still functions as an active broadcasting building. Here’s a curiosity: Contrary to what most people think, the Tokyo Tower isn’t red. It’s actually orange and white, or “International Orange,” a color commonly used on buildings of a certain height due to aviation regulations.
Besides the tower, you can also visit Zojoji Temple and admire its impressive entrance gate. Top photo tip: As you climb the temple’s stairs, you’ll have the chance to see the building’s ancient facade contrast with the modern Tokyo Tower behind it – a picture as epic as the Japanese capital itself.
The best places to take pictures in Tokyo
Tokyo is undoubtedly unique. This modern and powerful city will inspire you to move towards the future but never forget the past. It will also remind you of the value of peace and meditation.
There is a lot to see and do in Tokyo. For more inspiration, check out these tips from travelers in the Flytographer community who have a special connection to the city.
Some additional honorable mentions go to the Imperial Palace and its bountiful gardens and historical ruins, the Akihabara district, where you’ll feel like you’re inside a video game, the shopping streets of Ueno, and finally the Rainbow Bridge that connects central Tokyo to the artificial island of Odaiba, which in turn has a very modern vibe and more views of the city. Mount Fuji.
To make your trip to Tokyo even more special, book your local Flytographer and let him capture all the magic of this mega city with you in it. The 8 best places to take pictures
