Tokyo
Discover Tokyo through the lens of a local professional photographer and create lasting memories with stunning photos of your Japan experience!
Photoshoots in Tokyo’s Best Locations
- 60-Minute Photo Experience with 12 professionally edited photos: ¥30,000
- Express 48-hour Editing (standard: 7 days): ¥10,000
- All RAW Files from the Session: ¥10,000
The Experience
- Private sessions available day or night
- Relaxed pace for authentic moments and street life captures
- The best photo spots at each location
- Local photographer’s perspective since 2015
- Professional edited photos delivered within 7 days
- Standard photo format 2:3, or Instagram format 4:5
My 8 Photography Tours in Tokyo
1. Shibuya
Shibuya is my favorite area in Tokyo. I’ve lived here since 2015, when I moved to Japan. While it’s a popular tourist destination, Shibuya is a great place to live, with wonderful places to discover and photograph. With a mix of modern and traditional architecture, it’s the best area to start your Tokyo experience. We’ll be sure to capture some photos in front of iconic spots like the famous Shibuya Crossing, but as a local, I promise you beautiful discoveries that most tourists miss.
The Best Photo Spots in Shibuya
- Shibuya 109: Shibuya’s iconic fashion building, a landmark of youth trends and cutting-edge style
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing: the world-famous intersection, a symbol of Tokyo’s urban energy and pedestrian chaos
- Nonbei Yokocho: a hidden alleyway with tiny, atmospheric bars, offering a glimpse into old Tokyo
- Miyashita Park’s lively izakaya alley: a vibrant and modern take on the classic Japanese pub scene
- Shibuya’s bustling Center Gai street: the heart of Shibuya’s youth culture, with bright lights and trendy shops
- Shibuya Parco’s rooftop terrace: offering a magnificent panoramic view of Shibuya and Shinjuku skylines
Dogenzaka Option
30 additional minutes
4 additional photos
Additional fee: ¥10,000
Dogenzaka, a district in Shibuya, is known for its narrow streets, lively atmosphere, and delicious food. Though not often visited by tourists, it offers a unique charm with its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and love hotels, each boasting original designs.
2. Harajuku
Harajuku is famous for its youthful energy, and as a Tokyo photographer, I love this place for the diverse scenery it offers. From the bustling Takeshita Street to the serene Togo Shrine, and from streets lined with designer streetwear shops and cute cafes to a spectacular rooftop with views of Tokyo, I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do.
The Best Photo Spots in Harajuku
- Takeshita Street: this iconic street, a must-visit for its vibrant atmosphere and unique shops showcasing youth fashion and subcultures
- Togo Shrine: capture the serene beauty of this hidden gem, a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling city with traditional architecture and tranquil gardens
- Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku: featuring a mesmerizing kaleidoscope entrance, a modern architectural marvel
- Harakado (Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Rooftop): the rooftop terrace provides breathtaking views of Tokyo’s skyline and iconic landmarks
- Harajuku’s Backstreets: explore the charming alleys and discover hidden streetwear shops and independent boutiques
3. Meiji Jingu Shrine
Two of the most popular destinations in Tokyo are Meiji Jingu Shrine and Sensoji Temple. However, I prefer visiting Meiji Jingu during the daytime, as I find the experience more peaceful. The shrine is surrounded by a serene forest and conveniently located next to Harajuku Station, making it easily accessible and far less crowded than Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. I recommend visiting Sensoji at night to avoid the crowds.
The Best Photo Spots in Meiji Jingu Shrine
- The imposing tori gate: standing at the entrance to the shrine’s tranquil forest, marking the transition to a sacred space
- The colorful display of sake and wine barrels: offerings from devotees, creating a vibrant and unique visual
- The serene main hall and courtyard: the heart of the shrine, with traditional architecture and a peaceful atmosphere
- The lush forest: surrounding the shrine, offering a peaceful escape from the city with towering trees and serene pathways
- The open meadow: framing the city skyline in the background, a unique juxtaposition of nature and urbanity
4. Shinjuku
Shinjuku at night is arguably the busiest place in Tokyo. It offers a dazzling array of entertainment options, from lively izakayas (traditional Japanese pubs perfect for socializing) and high-end restaurants to bars, nightclubs, and adult entertainment venues. This vibrant activity is concentrated in Kabukicho, Shinjuku’s entertainment district. Just next to Kabukicho is Golden Gai, an atmospheric area with tiny bars packed into narrow alleys. These two distinct areas are nestled between two traditional Japanese locations where we will begin and end our photo tour. We’ll start at Omoide Yokocho, a nostalgic alleyway filled with small eateries, and finish on a peaceful note at Hanazono Shrine.
The Best Photo Spots in Shinjuku
- Omoide Yokocho: a famous alley with a unique Japanese atmosphere, reminiscent of post-war Tokyo with tiny eateries and yakitori stalls
- Ichibangai Arch: marking the entrance to Kabukicho, a symbol of Shinjuku’s entertainment district
- Kabukicho’s vibrant nightlife streets: a dazzling display of neon lights, bustling with activity after dark
- The Godzilla Head: a towering icon of Japanese pop culture, perched atop the Shinjuku Toho Building
- Golden Gai: the famous district with its tiny streets and intimate bars, each with its own unique character
- Hanazono Shrine: a peaceful oasis amidst the urban chaos, offering a serene escape with traditional shrine buildings
5. Shimokitazawa
While Shibuya and Shinjuku buzz with bright lights and a fast pace, Shimokitazama offers a different kind of Tokyo experience. This laid-back neighborhood, affectionately called “Shimokita,” is a haven for independent shops and cozy cafes. Its narrow streets are lined with vintage clothing stores and bookstores, giving it a distinctly bohemian vibe. If you’re looking for a unique and less intense Tokyo experience, Shimokitazama is the place to be.
The Best Photo Spots in Shimokitazawa
- The charming streets: filled with hidden alleyways and unique shops, offering a bohemian vibe and independent spirit
- Restaurants and shops with unique charm: quirky facades, vintage signs, and stylish interiors, showcasing the area’s artistic flair
- The many thrift stores: overflowing with vintage clothing and one-of-a-kind finds, a treasure trove for fashion enthusiasts
6. Asakusa
I like to visit Asakusa in the evening because there are far fewer people than during the day. The night scenery of the Sensoji Temple is really beautiful and peaceful with nice lighting. Around the temple, there’s plenty to see and photograph to capture a unique Japanese mood. It can be in the numerous shopping streets, nice little restaurants and bars, or just in an alley lit up by a lantern.
The Best Photo Spots in Asakusa
- Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate): symbol of Asakusa, the Kaminarimon’s grandeur can be captured head-on or at an angle that includes the bustling Nakamise-dori Street behind it, preferably in the early morning or late evening to avoid crowds
- Nakamise-dori Street: the charm of Nakamise-dori street comes from its colorful shops and traditional crafts with details such as lanterns, food stalls, and lucky charms
- Hozomon Gate: often overlooked, the Hozomon Gate boasts impressive details and a massive pair of straw sandals
- Sensoji Temple: from the majestic five-storied pagoda to the grand main hall, immerse yourself in the ethereal atmosphere created by the smoke of the giant incense burner
- Shopping streets and hidden alleys: modern shopping streets and older ones with traditional architecture, open-air or covered, and hidden alleys with charming lanterns are waiting to be discovered around the temple
7. Akihabara
Akihabara is a paradise for Japanese pop culture and technology enthusiasts. As a photographer, I particularly appreciate this district for its unique blend of colorful neon signs, tall buildings covered in anime posters, and specialized small shops. From dusk to nighttime, the atmosphere becomes especially electric, offering spectacular photographic opportunities that capture the essence of Japan’s modern otaku culture.
The Best Photo Spots in Akihabara
- UDX Plaza: Offering a panoramic view of Akihabara’s main intersection, with its iconic neon signs and giant screens
- Chuo-dori: The main street closed to cars on Sundays, ideal for capturing the bustling crowds and colorful store facades
- Radio Kaikan: A historic building with distinctive architecture, symbol of collector culture
- Electronic alleyways: A maze of small streets specialized in electronics, offering authentic scenes of “Electric Town”
- Maid cafes: With their decorated facades and kawaii signage, representing a unique aspect of Akihabara’s pop culture
- JR Station pedestrian bridge: Providing an elevated view perfect for photographing the constant flow of passersby and the district’s neon lights
8. Nezu Shrine
Nestled in a quiet residential area, the Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most beautiful sanctuaries. Unlike Meiji Jingu Shrine or Sensoji Temple, Nezu remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, making it a perfect spot to capture the essence of traditional Japan. What makes this place truly special is its vermillion torii tunnel and stunning gardens, particularly breathtaking in spring when the azaleas are in bloom.
The Best Photo Spots in Nezu Shrine
- The tori tunnel: dozens of vermillion torii gates creating a winding, photogenic path, less crowded than Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari
- The azalea garden: a stunning display of over 3,000 azalea bushes of different varieties, particularly magnificent from April to May
- The stone steps: leading to the main sanctuary, offering a unique architectural composition with their traditional lanterns
- The main sanctuary: a building designated as an important cultural property, featuring beautifully preserved Edo architecture
- The koi ponds: peaceful pools surrounded by lush vegetation, creating perfect reflections for photography
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