Samurai castles, Showa‑era back‑alleys, Blade‑Runner billboards—Tokyo packs three centuries of visuals into one metro map. The ten locations below give you the greatest range: sacred cedar groves, river‑front skylines, and the busiest pedestrian scramble on earth.
To keep your planning painless, every spot carries a plain‑English rating:
• Must‑Shoot – iconic or uniquely photogenic; carve out time.
• Nice‑to‑Shoot – worthwhile if you’re nearby or have breathing room.
• Skip‑It – pleasant stroll, but not shoot‑day material.
Battery full? Let’s chase frames across the world’s biggest city.
LOCATION 1 - SHIBUYA CROSSING
Why go
Ten zebra stripes, a thousand people per light cycle, and 15‑storey LED walls—nothing screams “Tokyo” louder. Night rain doubles the color punch. Starbucks’ 2nd‑floor window gives bird’s‑eye context, but the real drama is at street level.
Pro tips
• Slow‑shutter trick: 1/5 s handheld drags the crowd while buildings stay sharp.
• Tripod police: none on sidewalks; brace on a lamp‑post if you must.
Book me if… you want blockbuster city energy.
Rating: Must‑Shoot
LOCATION 2 - SENSO‑JI & NAKAMISE
Why go
The Thunder Gate lantern, five‑storey pagoda, and incense haze deliver classic Edo vibes day or night. Crowded? Always. But pre‑dawn leaves you near‑solo with the dragons.
Pro tips
• Sunrise rule: arrive 05:30, shoot west for golden backlight.
• Smoke frames: manual focus through the incense cauldrons for ethereal portraits.
Book me if… you need old‑Tokyo images without leaving the city core.
Rating: Must‑Shoot
LOCATION 3 - MEIJI SHRINE & YOYOGI FOREST
Why go
A 1‑km gravel path tunnels through 100‑year‑old cedars to a cypress‑wood shrine—sound‑dampening nature in the capital’s heart. Weddings on weekends add kimono pageantry.
Pro tips
• 80 mm lens: tight depth makes cedar trunks infinite.
• Sake barrel wall: colorful backdrop five minutes before the main torii.
Book me if… you want tranquil portraits minutes from Harajuku.
Rating: Nice‑to‑Shoot
LOCATION 4 - SHINJUKU GYOEN
Why go
Sakura clouds in April, maple inferno in November, and greenhouse orchids year‑round—plus skyscraper sightlines over manicured lawns. Tripods allowed with permit.
Pro tips
• Lens pair: 24‑70 mm + 85 mm covers wide lawns and bokeh blossoms.
• Hours: closes 16:00 winter, 18:00 summer—arrive early.
Book me if… you need lush greens without leaving the Yamanote loop.
Rating: Must‑Shoot
LOCATION 5 - TOKYO TOWER & ZOJO‑JI TEMPLE
Why go
1950s Eiffel‑style tower rises behind a 14th‑century Buddhist gate—one frame, two eras. Sunset turns the lattice orange, while blue‑hour LEDs pop electric.
Pro tips
• Symmetry spot: stand centre on the wide temple stairs, 50 mm lens, f/8.
• Night tripod: police fines for small tripods after 22:00.
Book me if… you crave Tokyo’s emblem with historical gravitas.
Rating: Must‑Shoot
LOCATION 6 - ODAIBA & RAINBOW BRIDGE
Why go
A replica Statue of Liberty, Ferris wheel, and sky‑piercing towers backlit by sunsets over the bay. Long‑exposure light trails from passing cruise boats add sparkle.
Pro tips
• ND filter 6‑stop: 30‑second exposures smooth the water.
• Palette change: shoot post‑sunset 15 min—bridge LEDs flip rainbow mode.
Book me if… you want skyline panoramas and space to breathe.
Rating: Nice‑to‑Shoot
LOCATION 7 - HAMARIKYU GARDENS
Why go
Salt‑water ponds reflect steel towers; a 300‑year‑old pine angles over tidal flats. Plum blossom (Feb‑Mar) and cosmos fields (Sep) add color surges.
Pro tips
• Low‑angle polisher: crouch at pond edge to double the skyline.
• Tea‑house stop: matcha set = shady break + still‑life photo.
Book me if… you like nature‑vs‑skyscraper juxtapositions.
Rating: Nice‑to‑Shoot
LOCATION 8 - YANAKA GINZA & NEZU SHRINE
Why go
Cats on tin roofs, mom‑and‑pop croquette shops, and a mini‑torii corridor in Nezu Shrine—Tokyo’s nostalgia pocket largely untouched by air‑rights frenzy.
Pro tips
• Street snack prop: hold fresh taiyaki for candid foodie shots.
• Mini‑torii: late afternoon sidelight warms the vermilion.
Book me if… you want retro vibes minus tourist buses.
Rating: Must‑Shoot
LOCATION 9 - TOYOSU MARKET & TSUKIJI OUTER LANES
Why go
New Toyosu offers sterile auction galleries; old Tsukiji alleys still hum with knife sellers, wasabi roots, and steam‑cloud ramen. Best light 06:00–08:00; smell of tuna is free.
Pro tips
• Respect signs: “No Flash” inside Toyosu; ISO 6400 solves it.
• 35 mm prime: wide enough for stalls, tight enough for chef portraits.
Book me if… you’re okay smelling like the sea until lunch.
Rating: Nice‑to‑Shoot
LOCATION 10 - TOKYO SKYTREE RIVERSIDE
Why go
634‑metre tower mirrors in the Sumida River, framed by low bridges and yakatabune dinner boats. Cherry trees along the bank blush pink each April.
Pro tips
• Bridge frame: shoot under Kototoi‑bashi with tower centred in arch.
• LED sparkle: Skytree light show cycles top‑to‑bottom every 20 min—stay ready.
Book me if… you want scale and reflections wrapped into one.
Rating: Must‑Shoot