Category: Photography

The 10 Best Spots in Tokyo for Instagram Photos

Do you enjoy filling your Instagram feed with stunning travel photos? Where can you find the best places to capture historic or modern culture, or to make your photos stand out? Consider our recommendations for the coolest places in Tokyo to practice your photography.

Tokyo has many iconic sights and is a photographer’s best city worldwide.

1. Shibuya Scramble Crossing

The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is the most notable place to visit “Megalopolis Tokyo,” which is surrounded by neon lights, with thousands of people passing the junction. There are several great spots to photograph this world’s most famous crossing in Shibuya area.

2. Asakusa Sensoji

What’s the first thing you could imagine when you think of Japan? The Temple of Asakusa Sensoji, with its huge red lanterns of historic temples and pagodas, is the site of “Authentic Japan” in Tokyo.

Asakusa is a location where people go on a tour or film for a commercial client.

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3. Tokyo Skytree

Since it was opened in 2012, Tokyo Skytree is the newest landmark in Tokyo. The Tower looks from a distance brilliant, as do the views of its 350 m and 450 m observatories that are obviously some of the highest in the world.

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4. Shinjuku Kabukicho and Omoide Yokocho

This is the best place if you’re looking for a photograph at night. The neighborhood is called the place that never sleeps and becomes lighter and more lively as the night deepens.

Omoide Yokocho (思い出横丁), is a narrow street that lines up numbers of small Izakaya. In this retro and smoky alley, where photographers from all around the world are also attracted, visitors can experience authentic Japanese-style drink cultures.

5. Metropolitan Government Building

Tokyo has many skyscrapers, and Shinjuku in particular is the great area for amazing skyscrapers. Government Metropolis building is one of Tokyo’s best-designed buildings, and also has “FREE” observatories from the 45th floor to view the city (202 m high).

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6. Harajuku Tokyu Plaza & Takeshita-dori Street

The Kawaii Mecca, Harajuku has a range of photogenic places like fashionable cafes, candy stores and shops. The Tokyu Plaza’s fashion building, designed as a kaleidoscope, is where most of the instagrammers cannot simply overlook it.

Takeshita-dori Street, Harajuku, Tokyo
Tokyo’s most established center of street fashion. While other areas rival it in terms of hip, Harajuku still reigns when it comes to streetwise and cutting edge.

7. Tokyo Tower

It is likely that for several decades, the Tokyo Tower has been the best landmark in town and will always be. This 59 year-old tower is still standing and is favored by many of us, even after the new Tokyo Skytree icon opened.

Please keep in mind that the white tree illuminations are only available during the Christmas season. If you happen to visit Tokyo at the end of December, the white lights will stand out against the blueish foreground and orange tower.

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8. Tokyo International Forum

I would recommend that you take pictures of it if there is a building in Tokyo would only be a Tokyo International Forum. The Tokyo International Forum is one of the Great Buildings in the World which is famous for Rafael Vinoly’s high technological modern architecture of 1989. The Tokyo International Forum looks like a transparent giant elongated boat with white steel truss curves from outside. You immediately know why this building is seen as one of the great world buildings, when you enter its lobby.

Tokyo International Forum is a great place to photograph if you’re looking for a unique structure.

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9. Tokyo Station

The Tokyo Station neighborhood is known for its fascinating coexistence of magnificent historic buildings and towering, modern skyscrapers. We will show you the most popular tourist attractions in the area, as well as hidden gems that should not be missed when touring Tokyo Station, the heart of the Japanese capital.

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10. Ginza

The Ginza (銀座) is Tokyo’s most well-known upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment district, with a plethora of department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, and cafes.

One square meter of land in the district’s center costs more than ten million yen, making it one of Japan’s most expensive real estate. It is home to the infamous $10 cup of coffee, as well as nearly every major fashion and cosmetics brand.

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You may like night photography: Shinjuku Night walks, after dark.

November 9, 2021
Shirakawago: Japanese Countryside Fairytale

In the remote mountains that range from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures, the Shirakawa-go (almost, Shirakawagō) and neighboring Gokayama (almost) areas line the Shogawa River Valley. They are renowned for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old, and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Gassho-zukuri means “constructed like hands in prayer” as the steep thatched roofs of the farmhouses resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed in prayer together. Over many generations, the architectural style has developed and is designed to withstand the large amounts of heavy snow that falls during winter in the region. The roofs, which were constructed without nails, offered a wide attic.

Gassho-zukuri houses are the primary reason for visiting Shirakawago. With these regionally unique homes, there are whole villages filled. Literally, Gassho-zukuri means “built in prayer like hands” and comes from the fact that the roofs of the houses look like two hands coming together in prayer.

The Shirakawaga-go Tour was planned for the six of us friends. It’s a journey of two days. AHK Indonesia – Tur Lokal Jepang has a good deal for us. For bus ride, we have gone to Ikebukuro. The bus journey is pleasant and comfortable. On the way, we smashed jokes and teased. Bus stops for snacks and toilets in various places. We got Shirakawaga-go at last. It’s like a fairy tale in the film. It’s cold weather and snow is falling. It’s my first touch of snow and it’s good. We went back to the bus and went to our hotel.

Season (February – December). Winter is arguably the most recommended season for a Shirakawa-go Tour, because the design and construction of these ancient structures are deeply rooted in the cold temperature of the area and strongly related to the heavy snowfall.

You may like to visit: The 10 Best Spots in Tokyo for Instagram Photos

January 28, 2021
How to use the rule of thirds in photography
Good photography isn’t only about your camera. You also need a good view, technical skill, and practice. The photographic composition can make your photography great. The composition is the backbone of good photography. Every object in your shot makes a good balance in your image.

If you’re new to photography, you may be trying to understand the Rule of Thirds. The Rule of Thirds is perhaps the most well-known ‘rule’ of photographic composition. One of the most popular ways to compose your photographs is to use the “Rule of Thirds”.

What is the Rule of Thirds?
The rule of thirds is one of the most popular composition and it’s very easy to understand. Divide your images into thirds vertically and horizontally before shooting. You can use the built-in grid line tool in your DSLR and mobile camera. Using two horizontal and two vertical lines spaced evenly across your photograph. This creates a tic-tac-toe pattern, as shown in the image below.

The four lines will intersect at four points. These are the points where your point of interest should be. Your subjects don’t have to match the lines or intersecting points perfectly. Just position them close to the guide points or lines laid out by the rule.

The key element of the image is placed on or near the ‘hot spots’. For example, if you are shooting a portrait, make sure the eyes of your subject are near any one of the intersection.

Editing software like photoshop and lightroom also have built-in overlays that allow you to apply the rule of thirds to existing photographs. The Rule of Thirds is not so much a rule as it is a guideline to keep in mind when you are taking photos.

Overall, using the rule of thirds will help you achieve more aesthetically pleasing compositions. It’s important that you don’t overthink when using this rule.

If you enjoyed this article and know of someone who would also find it helpful, please share it with them.

Read more resource on:
- Symmetry in Photography – 7 Great Tips
- Tips for Photographing Water Reflections at Night
May 13, 2020
Tips for Photographing Water Reflections at Night
One such type of photo is one in which a mirror image is created with a water reflection. It takes several different camera settings and only the right lighting conditions to create a wide range of water for the desired look.

Reflections can be a great addition to your photographs at any time of day or night, but they are especially appealing at night. Adding reflections can help you solve compositional issues that arise at night. Furthermore, the steps you must take to capture photos at night, such as using a tripod and a slow shutter speed, actually make it easier to capture reflections.

When capturing reflections in your photography at night, get down close to the water. That way, you’ll include much more reflection in your photos.

It is amazing when all comes together after sunset; the city lights start glowing and those reflections produce brilliant results. The key to successful night photography is a solid tripod, as long exposure times are common and a bit of patience.

Nighttime Water Reflection Photography: 5 Tips and Tricks
- Set your camera to manual mode because auto-focus does not work sufficiently in low light.
- Night photography requires slow shutter speeds. Because it is dark and your camera needs to hold the shutter open a long time in order to gather sufficient light for the exposure.
- Utilize the camera’s self-timer, a cable release or remote release to trip the shutter.
- Use a smaller aperture (around f/11 for landscapes or f/5.6 for smaller objects and area size)
- When taking still photos at night, it’s a good idea to set your ISO to the lowest setting possible on your camera. Try not to go above ISO 400 or 800.
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I hope I explained some of my quick tips for better night photography. If you have any questions regarding this post, please leave them in the comment section below.

Check out How to use the rule of thirds in photography

Thanks for reading!
May 7, 2020
Japan’s Cherry Blossoms
In Japan, the appearance of cherry blossoms, known as sakura, signals the beginning of spring. Sakura (cherry blossoms) blanket the Japanese landscape in the spring, painting the country with its gentle pink hue. Sakura (桜) is a general name for plants that belong to the subfamily of the Rosaceae. The English name for sakura is cherry blossom.

The Sakura or Cherry Blossom is one of Japan’s most popular seasons of the year. Like in many countries, the flora is flowering and warmer weather arrives, and everyone is very welcome to enjoy the season. Depending on the weather conditions and location, the best time you can look at the beautiful pink colors between March and May.

However, they are more than simply beautiful trees, as the sakura has powerful ties to Japan’s history, culture, and identity. In the limited flowering period, the Japanese love to celebrate and cherish cherry trees and many people celebrate flower-watching festivities known as Hanami. In view of the cultural importance of the sakura, the flowering of the Cherry bloom is a focus of countless events, festivals and specialty tours.

Locals organize local festivals each year in spring. Hanami refers more specifically to observing the full blossom of the cherry trees. Hanami, probably the easiest thing to do in Japan, is very easy to do: enjoy the sight of the whole flower of the sakura tree(s). You can walk around the park and have a picnic from a distance or close by. Just don’t touch the sakura, pull them, and bring your waste with you.

Sakura flowers bloom and die fast. Floral petals constantly fall down and paint the ground with a beautiful carpet of pale pink or white petals.

I could not take more photos because of the corona virus. Maybe next year I will try to take as much as more photos of Sakura.

Enjoy the Cherry Blossom (Sakura at Toneri Park Tokyo, Japan)
April 7, 2020
Shinjuku Night walks, after dark.
When the sun sets in Tokyo, the city blinks neon and takes on a new identity. opportunity to take photos with light displays. Enjoy these street shots of Shinjuku after dark. Night comes and the streets of Shinjuku become full of people looking for a good time. Places like Kabukicho and Omoide Yokocho are filled with places to drink and eat. They literally overflow with people out looking for a good time.

It requires you to manipulate ISO, aperture, and shutter speed among many other things. Follow these eight useful techniques to help you shoot in the dark. Once you learn the basics, you’ll find out that night photography is really fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment and you’ll be rewarded with stunning images you’ll be proud of.

The main challenge when photographing at night is getting a proper exposure.
1. Find a Tripod or Something for Support
2. Use manual focus
3. Use low ISO if possible
4. Shoot RAW
5. Take test shots
6. Bracket your photos
7. Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode for static subjects
8. Play with different shutter speeds
Photography Night view in the Shinjuku district in Tokyo

Godzilla Road at Night, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Kabukicho District, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Kabukicho is a night life area in Tokyo which has many neon strip light.

Street junction and pedestrian crossing at night, Shinjuku Tokyo

Check out Tips for Photographing Water Reflections at Night
February 24, 2020
Enoshima Island Day Trip
The last day before the holidays, we were having our lunch. this idea came to my mind. Oh, how about going on a trip? Then and Sanjeev started browsing the internet looking for beautiful destinations to visit around our place. Sanjeev came up with a beautiful destination Enoshima Island.

It is one of the small islands west of Kamakura. There were two alternatives while going to Enoshima Island by train through the Odakyu line. Either going through Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku to Enoshima without transfer or getting from another train of Odakyu line with the transfer. So we took the second option and our Journey starts from Shinjuku Station to Enoshima. It costs us JPY 630. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

We four friends (Anil Shrestha, Sanjeev Budha, Sagar Giri, and Me) gathered at the Odakyu gate at Shinjuku Station. We’ve taken the South Entrance of the Odakyu Line. And our destination for that day was Katase-Enoshima Station, which was one of the nearest stations to Enoshima Island on the Odakyu line.

Reaching there we found Enoshima island was a very relaxing island to visit and every location can be accessed by walking, strolling around enjoying the most beautiful sights.

Katase Nishihama Beach (片瀬西浜) was another sand beach in the western opposite of Enoshima Island. The scenery of the beach was really beautiful and Mount Fuji, Izu Peninsula, and mountains in Hakone were seen in the west. The scenery in the dusk was splendid, too. This beach was most popular with Japanese, so it used to be crowded during the summer season.

Enoshima Shrine has three parts to it: the Outer Shrine (Hetsunomiya), the Middle Shrine (Nakatsunomiya), and the Inner Shrine (Okutsunomiya). It’ll only take a few minutes, if that, to reach the Outer Shrine area. It just takes a 20 min walk after crossing the ocean via the connecting bridge to Enoshima Island. Give yourself a little time to explore and look around. You’ll see quite a few restaurants on the way to the Inner Shrine, and it’s a good time to fortify yourself.

Lastly, we visited the Iwaya caves of Enoshima again by following the signs on our way on the island. These caves are located on the southern coast and you get an amazing view of the ocean. In the caves, you will find a statue of the legendary Dragon. It costs you an entrance fee of 500 yen.

Overall we had a great new year’s eve at Enoshima island.

Enoshima island travel vlog
- Shinjuku Station
- Writing my Brand name KRP
- KRP – Brand Name
- Free like a bird
- Happy best friends (Anil Shrestha, Sanjeev Buddha, Sagar Giri)
- Surfing may be all about being one with the great ocean
- Views of Mount Fuji from Enoshima
- The gate to Enoshima Jinja Shrine.
- Two handsome hunk in a single photo
- Breathtaking view
- This is where you send a prayer by throwing a coin in the box
- Building on the Sea
- Random fortunes are written on strips of paper at shrines temples in Japan.
- Temple
- Mount Fuji: Mesmerizing
- Mount Fuji on the way
- On the way to Enoshima Island
- Ocean at Enoshima Island
- Red danger dragon inside the cave
- Lunch time
- Ocean view from inside the cave
- Golden view
The 10 Best Spots in Tokyo for Instagram Photos
December 31, 2019
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Located atop a hill west of Kathmandu city, the Swayambhunath complex has been in use since the 5th century A.D. and consists of a magnificent domed stupa, as well as a variety of shrines and temples. Each temple is extremely ornate and richly decorated with gold and vibrant prayer flags, though it’s not only the spiritual décor that draws visitors.

Located on a small hillock named Swayambhunath, this temple is a famous one located to the northwest of the Kathmandu Valley. Famously known as the monkey temple, this tourist destination receives pilgrims and tourists from every nook and corner of the world. According to mythology, the glory of this destination started from this structure. The central white stupa is topped by a golden spire that depicts Buddha’s eyes in all the four directions. It is surrounded by beautifully-carved temples, statues of deities, fluttering prayer flags, and Buddhist prayer wheels.

The central white stupa is topped by a golden spire that depicts Buddha’s eyes in all the four directions.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 has killed hundreds of people in Nepal. Many historic buildings have been damaged – such as Swayambhunath temple complex.

It is best to visit the temple early in the morning before 9 am. This is the time you can find many rituals and pilgrims in the complex. With regards to climate, the spring and fall are the best times to visit Kathmandu. September to mid of May is the right time to visit the temple.

The temple is easily accessible by foot, bike, or taxi from Kathmandu.

December 19, 2019

Fall in Japan is the Best!

Are you planning a trip to Japan to see the autumn leaves? Looking for the best places in Japan to enjoy the fall? As maples and other autumn leaves slowly turn the entire country into vivid red, yellow, and orange colors, the autumn color season in Japan is as beautiful as the cherry blossom season.

As summer transitions to autumn, Japan begins to cool down, offering temperate weather that’s perfect for outdoor walks. From mid-November to early December, the trees turn vivid hues of red, orange, and yellow. It’s this combination of cool weather and striking sights that make fall one of the most popular seasons for traveling to Japan. Colorful autumn leaves, known as Koyo in Japanese, draw just as many visitors in autumn as the cherry blossoms do during spring.

Traditional gardens and parks showcase these autumn colors and attract crowds of visitors eager to see the changing leaves.

Autumn is a season of pleasant temperatures, stunning fall foliage, festivals, and delectable food. It is an excellent time to visit Japan! We hope the information provided above assists you in planning and enjoying your trip.

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The best destinations to see autumn leaves and when to see them for you.

Region	Major Spot	Annual Peak Season
Hokkaido	Sapporo, Hakodate, Shiretoko Peninsula	Mid to late October
Tohoku Region	Sendai, Akita	Mid-November
Kanto Region	Tokyo, Hakone, Nikko, Kamakura	Late November
Kansai Region	Osaka, Kyoto	Early December
Chubu / Hokuriku Regions	Nagoya, Kanazawa, Niigata	Late November
Chugoku / Shikoku Regions	Hiroshima, Kagawa	Mid-November
Kyushu Region	Fukuoka, Takachiho Gorge, Kagoshima	Late November