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Finding the best photography spots in Tokyo during the winter of 2023

Posted on January 31, 2023December 28, 2023

A pledge to visit again Japan’s capital

This iconic postal sight in Tokyo with high ISO and fast shutter speed
This iconic postal sight in Tokyo with high ISO and fast shutter speed

As obvious as it is, every trip has to come to an end, but it is the “aftertaste” that makes the difference from place to place. After traveling to many places throughout the years, in some cases, I have eagerly prepared my luggage and left. In other cases, I wish I had more days to experience more of that place that caught my heart and mind. For the latter, the thought of “one day I will be back” becomes a pledge to oneself to have more of that charming people, hearty food, incredible sights, or, more often than not, a combination of all of these elements. In sum, the pledge is to get to experience the things that were left unchecked due to time or budget limitations.

After I visited Tokyo in the spring of 2017 for the first time, as part of a bigger trip across Japan, I had nothing to complain about any aspect of my experience. Eventually, I put together a travel guide and a photo gallery about this Asian capital. In these posts, I mentioned that visiting the land of the rising sun was for me a true lifetime achievement, and a destination that did not leave any of my expectations unmet.

Regardless of my limited budget and basic photography gear, I was able to explore many iconic landmarks within East Asia’s “clockwork city” and capture them in images. On the other hand, there were places I was not able to go, food I could not eat, and photos I could not take due to those budget and time constraints. Thus, I pledged myself to go back to Tokyo someday and make justice to all the things I left unchecked during that first trip.

Exploring Tokyo’s best photography spots with a local connoisseur

What can be better than a solo trip to Tokyo dedicated to travel photography from morning to evening? A trip with a local friend who is as enthusiastic about photography as I am, and also knowledgeable about the best spots and times to capture the best images!

With his help, I visited more rooftops, observation decks and unique photography spots than I could have done by myself. Also, it makes all the difference to team up with a like-minded friend who also carries his own photography gear, who can share his own tips and tricks, and spend together all the time that it takes in the same spot until the desired image is captured without complaining about the weather, hunger or other inconveniences familiar to photographers.

Shot of Brian on the Komagata Bridge portraying the Tokyo nightscape
Shot of Brian on the Komagata Bridge portraying the Tokyo nightscape

Japan, and Tokyo in particular, are certainly some of those places that I do not mind repeating. If my first visit to Tokyo was a lifetime achievement, the second visit was undoubtedly a photographic achievement. I came prepared to retake and deepen the exploration that began those years ago. Therefore, I gladly present here below a curation of my best shots of Tokyo during the winter of 2023.

Photowalk to Tokyo Station. Evening in Ginza.

On the first day of exploring, Tokyo offered me cold air and blue skies. The plan was to do what I enjoy the most when abroad with a camera in hand: to walk from my hostel and observe everyday life. I made it through the day by making strategic stops in different convenience stores, trying any novelty snack that I cannot find in Taiwan.

After wandering through secondary alleys, I made it to Tokyo Station. There, my friend and I spent the late afternoon hours taking shots of Tokyo Station from different angles, including the observation deck of KITTE Marunouchi shopping mall. After the night fell, we took some more front-facing shots of the Tokyo Station from Gyoko-dori, and walked towards the end of Marunouchi Naka-Dori Avenue from Gyoko-dori. After some shots near Ginza, finally we had a remarkably tasty dinner in this amazing underpass restaurant.

View of Mt Fuji from the air
Tokyo Skytree on a clear day of winter
A morning pedestrian walks the streets of Tokyo between light and shadows
A taxi waits for the change of traffic light
Bike ride through the suburbs of Tokyo
The empty streets of Tokyo after the New Years celebrations
Clean shot of the streets of Tokyo the morning after the new year celebrations
There is something about these Tokyo alleys that I like so much
View from the Takahashi Bridge
A speeding taxi came into the frame on time
A man pedals his bike up the slope of a bridge in Tokyo
A couple with their child riding down Kiyosubashi Bridge in Tokyo
Apartment buildings next to the Sumida River
Exploring the streets of Tokyo on foot and making stops at the nearest convenience store
I came across this shrine in the middle of Tokyo, under a highway bridge
Showa dori Avenue from an overhead bridge
Inside Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station from Gyoko Dori
Downtown Tokyo vibes in this shot
Gyoko Dori at night
Long exposure shot of Tokyo Station at night
View of Tokyo Station from KITTE Marunouchi shopping mall
Photographing moving trains handheld and with slow shutter speeds
View of the bullet trains stationed in Tokyo Station from a vantage point
The cold faint tones of the train tracks contrasting with the warm street lights of Tokyo
The Christmas vibes still present through Tokyo in January
The classy and timeless looks of Japanese cabs
Capturing some glittery shots of Tokyo cabs at night
This iconic postal sight in Tokyo with high ISO and fast shutter speed
This iconic postal sight in Tokyo with low ISO and slow shutter speed
Ginza streets at night
Phone shot of the streets of Ginza at night
Nightlife in Tokyo
Yurakucho Farm to Table Dining Alley

Tokyo Skytree, Odaiba Seaside Park and Komagata Bridge

Not only did I left Tokyo Skytree out of the itinerary during my first visit to Tokyo due to budget constraints, but the weather conditions were far from favorable for a worthwhile visit anyway. This time was completely different. Fresh winter weather and almost completely clear skies made my walk towards this attraction and the visit worthy of the time and money spent. The 360-degree view of the city from a height of 350 and 450 meters is really like no other.

Although Tokyo Skytree is a place one must visit when in town, it is not necessarily the best for photographers.The thick glass of the windows make it challenging for cameras to capture images without unwanted reflections and the typical greenish glass tinting. On top of that, during the peak hours, the crowds can make it difficult to frame a clean shot, and the stark sunlight renders the details in the distance unclear.

After this, my friend suggested that we take the Yurikamome rail line from Shimbashi Station all the way to Odaiba-kaihinkōen Station right at sunset time, making sure to grab the front seats of the first car. Little did I know that this ride would become my most idyllic memory of Tokyo, and probably one of the most astonishing golden hours I have ever experienced in Asia.

After the night fell, we seized the opportunity to photograph the Rainbow Bridge with the rest of the cityscape as backdrop from Odaiba Seaside Park. Then, we went back to Komagata Bridge, near Senso-ji, for yet some more night cityscape photos and called it a day.

Traditional sake barrels in Tokyo Japan
Streets of Japan near Senso-Ji Temple
The iconic Asahi Flame on the other side of the Sumida River
Morning pedestrians of Tokyo
Shot of Tokyo Skytree from a neighboring street
Maximum close up of the observation decks of Tokyo Skytree
The Asahi Flame also know among the locals as the Golden Poop
Riverside shopping area in Tokyo Japan
The view of the elusive Mt Fuji from the Tokyo Skytree
Minato and Shibuya City wards view from afar
The vast sea of concrete of Tokyo City
Top down view of the streets near Tokyo Skytree
It is easy to get an idea of how the most populated city in the world looks like with a view like this
Playground in the middle of the city like a parenthesis in the repetitive pattern of buildings
Tokyo Skytree casting a shadow over the city
Fancy pedestrian bridge over the Sumida River
This scene of old friends enjoying together caught my eye immediately
What is Tokyo without its convenience stores?
Another dreamy looking afternoon somewhere in Tokyo
Japanese classic sitting alone in a parking lot
Just a wide angle shot of this nice looking alley in Tokyo
The neon lights start to come alive as the daylight fades in Tokyo
Capture of the Rainbow Bridge at sunset
Tokyo Cityscape from Odaiba Seaside Park
Tokyo Skytree on its top and from afar in the same day
Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge at night
Shot of Brian on the Komagata Bridge portraying the Tokyo nightscape
Nightscape from the Komagata Bridge

Walking from Zojo-ji towards Tokyo Tower. Afternoon in Roppongi and evening in Shibuya.

Another photowalk starting from Daimon Station. I discovered while I was doing my research prior to the trip that there is a street next to the Zo-Ji Temple that offers a beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower from street level. After nailing the shot, and some others of Zojo-ji, I walked past the tower, and then I walked through the Roppongi district.
In the evening, I made it to the Shibuya area. In our quest for the ultimate night cityscape, my friend and I went up to the 360° open-air Shibuya Sky observation deck. Fortunately for visitors in general, but not so much for night photographers, the whole perimeter of the site is fenced by tall glass panels, making it impossible to avoid the reflections when taking photos, especially during the night hours. Not only that, but the extra few meters beyond the glass wall make it impossible to get straight and full shots of the surrounding area, including the world-famous Shibuya Scramble. Thus, the best angle I could get was that of the east face, facing Roppongi and the Tokyo Tower.

Zojo-ji Sange Datsumon Gate
Zojo-ji Temple and Tokyo Tower
People come to Zojo-ji Temple to dedicate the new year
Close up of the main observation deck of Tokyo Tower framed by some neighboring trees
The view of Tokyo Tower from the side street of Zojo-ji Temple
Walking towards Tokyo Tower from Zojo-ji Temple just offer even better views
A lonely walk through a park near Tokyo Tower
These branches will burst in cherry blossoms when the spring arrives to Tokyo
Walking through Roppongi in Tokyo
Street intersection in Minato City Tokyo
Probably the best view I managed to get from Shibuya Sky observation deck
Tokyo Skytree rises tall on the background in this view of Tokyo from Shibuya City
Although the man seems like he is being scolded by his boss he is just putting his coat on to leave
Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho
Narrow, lantern-lit alleyways and drinking district lined with small izakaya pubs & restaurants in Tokyo

Photographing Tokyo Tower from Roppongi Hills

Last day in Tokyo was no less fascinating than the previous ones, just a little bit lazy. After a well-deserved morning rest, I headed for brunch in the Roppongi area. After this, we headed to the Tokyo City View, on top of Mori Tower. In fact, the Tokyo City View offers one indoor deck and one open-air deck at the very top of the building, right where the helipad is located. 

From all the observation decks I have been able to visit in Japan’s capital, the Tokyo City View open-air deck might be truly the best of all: very few neighboring buildings are tall or wide enough to block the view, there are no reflective glass fences, and the view of the Tokyo Tower and the bay area beyond is arguably the best one can get. On top of that, our timing was on point to witness a pristine golden hour. Keep in mind, however, that no tripods or camera bags (or any kind of bags for that matter) are allowed on the open-air deck. My pockets could only hold a wide angle and a tele-photo lens for this occasion.

Another day of January with clear skies in Tokyo
Wide angle shot of the south part of Tokyo City from an open observation deck
Cranes on top of a nearby skyscraper looking photogenic
Yet another shot of Tokyo Skytree from Tokyo City View
This Tokyo apartment complex looking like a house of cards
Easily this could be my favorite picture of my winter trip to Tokyo
The iron lady of Tokyo
Zojo-ji Temple and the skirt of Tokyo Tower
Last sunset in Tokyo before the end of my winter trip
The blue hour in Tokyo
Handheld long exposure shot of the city below Mori Tower
Tokyo Tower standing out with its orange lightning in the midst of the bluish gray of the city
A night of full moon in Tokyo Japan
The pulse of Tokyo City at night
Last shot in Roppongi with full moon and Christmas lights
Last shot of Tokyo from the train tracks leading to Narita Airport

I made a 4-part vlog of this trip to Tokyo with more details of the food I had and the atmosphere of this lovely city during the winter season:

For more travel stories, drone movies and other short clips, click here.

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