How To Improve Your Travel Photography In Tokyo, Japan

WHAT IS TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY?

Firstly, travel photography is something 99.9% of travellers and tourists alike, take part in. Be that taking a selfie at a famous landmark or taking a photo of a landscape. It doesn’t matter what equipment you are using, if you are taking photographs while travelling, I’d class that as travel photography.

Sure, some take it a bit more serious than others.

But as far as bare-bones travel photography goes, anyone can do it.

HOW TO GET INTO TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY?

Get a digital, analogue, phone or disposable camera.

Travel to a location.

Take photos.

Sounds simple, but people (including me) often get super overwhelmed when first starting out.

Two things that I struggled the most with was comparing what I could produce to that of what you see professionals post on Instagram, and trying to learn too quickly by deciphering and implementing all the tutorials and ‘how to’s’ you find online.

That’s a quick way to burn out.

A better way, is to take one photo, and work to improve your next one. And the one after that. And after that. You get the picture (pun intended).

I’m by no means an expert, but I can definitely say by looking to improve each photo I take, I have come a long way from where I started.

Now, onto Tokyo.

TOKYO IS A TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHERS DREAM

There is something for everybody here. The streets are bustling, the people are authentic and there was indeed lots of bright lights. But what really blew me away was the shear huge scale of the city.

Everywhere you look there are major city buildings, hoards of people and just as you think you’ve got a grip on the city, you will find yourself lost in Shinjuku Train Station which has so many exits I lost count!

With its enormous underground train network, underground parking lots and infrastructure, when you are walking around the city you can’t help but wonder if the city is this big above ground, imagine how big the city must be underground – Tokyo is shear mag-ni-tude. 

The real charm of the city of Tokyo, and Japan in general is the people and the atmosphere they have created. The calm and orderly atmosphere you feel wandering through the streets and laneways makes you feel welcome, safe and comfortable.

These are strange feelings to associate with a major city. It was like nothing I had experienced before.

One minute you are walking through the incredible anime sector of Shinjuku looking up at Godzilla peering down at you from the top of the Toho Building. Only to find yourself in the ambient laneway of Memory Lane with your next turn where you are sheltered from the bustle by tight boutique laneway eateries, moody lanterns and overhead cherry blossoms.

The motivation for my trip was exactly that, to wander through the streets and experience the atmosphere and culture of the city of Tokyo through the lens of my analogue camera.

Shooting film ensures you are slowing down and really taking in all that Tokyo has to offer. I was fortunate enough to spend five nights in Tokyo with a fairly loose itinerary.

Wake up and wander was the plan.

HERE IS MY TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHERS GUIDE TO TOKYO

(ALL IMAGES SHOT ON FILM)

Finding the best angle of Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree is in itself a challenge to photograph if originality is your goal. But that doesn’t mean it should be left off your list. Let’s not forget, it is the tallest tower in the world after all.

As Tokyo is mostly flat, the key to getting that standout shot of Skytree is to find a way to fill the frame of your shot with your surroundings. The image below was shot at the beginning of Nakamise Shopping Street (Orange Street). I really like to ‘downtown’ vibe of the shot. 

TIP: No matter what hour you arrive in Tokyo, if this is your first visit and you are staying anywhere in North East Tokyo, take a walk to the base of Tokyo Skytree. This is a great way to get a feel for the atmosphere and the safe nature of the city. 

The best temple in Tokyo to photograph

If temples are your thing and you are short of time, then Sensōji should be at the top of your list! Situated at the end of Nakamise Shopping Street (Orange Street) in Asakusa, this Buddhist temple is a photographers dream. This temple is beautiful in any season, busy or quiet, day or night.

TIP: A short walk from Sensōji is Sumida River. Depending on where you are staying or going, taking a walk along the river could save a lot of time. It is also great for photographing people, and provides great views of the city skyline.  

Embracing Tokyo’s vibrant fashion scene to create a fresh angle to the typical tourist hot spots (Shinjuku & Shibuya)

‘The best city for fashion is Tokyo. You see styles there you won’t see in London, Paris, Milan or New York.’  Tommy Hilfiger

If you are visiting Tokyo, then of course you are going to visit Shibuya and Shinjuku. But how do you avoid shooting the same shot as the, literally millions of visitors it receives each day?

You have to tell a story with your shot. For me I decided to link in Tokyo’s vibrant fashion scene with the bustling working culture. 

TIP: Don’t rush your visit to Shibuya Crossing. It is absolutely epic. Walk through it multiple times, watch it from above, watch it from the edge. With every crossing there are thousands of new subjects entering the scene – have your camera ready. And possibly your mouth guard.

Stroll through Memory Lane (Shinjuku)

One of my absolute favourite places to shoot in the whole of Tokyo was Memory Lane, Shinjuku.

Situated close to Shinjuku Station this small but intensely vibrant laneway full of tiny eateries is a must visit.

Depending on the time of your visit, your experience could be vastly different. During non-peak times the laneway is somewhat an oasis from the bustling city surrounding it. Visit at night and you will see packed tiny restaurants and an amazing atmosphere.

Despite the intimate setting, it is entirely okay to shoot here. Just don’t be obnoxious.

Spend time at the Imperial Palace (and business district)

Be sure to catch a train to Tokyo Station and spend the morning exploring the Imperial Palace.

Visiting during the golden hours undoubtably provides the best opportunity to capture the beauty of the old stone buildings and surrounding gardens. If shooting city buildings or you are trying to capture the working culture of Japan be sure to spend sometime in the business district which is a short walk from Tokyo Station. 

Did you enjoy this Travel Photographers Guide to Tokyo? Or did I leave somewhere off the list perhaps? Leave a comment below!