Tokyo & Beyond
Photography, travel and things worth knowing — from someone who's been living in Tokyo long enough to know where the good stuff is.
Tokyo City View: Shooting from the Top of Mori Tower
Roppongi Hills has a reputation problem. For photography, it's the best observation deck in Tokyo. Here's why, and exactly when to go.
How I Edit Tokyo Night Photography
My Lightroom workflow for Tokyo street photography at night — how to handle mixed artificial light, neon highlights, and dark alleys without destroying the mood.
Mizonokuchi After Dark: The Izakaya District Nobody Talks About
Mizonokuchi is technically Kawasaki, not Tokyo. Nobody from Tokyo seems to care about this distinction once they've sat down with a 150-yen highball in one of the alleys under the tracks.
3 Days in Tokyo for Photographers: A Real Itinerary
A working Tokyo photography itinerary from someone who actually lives here — where to be, when to be there, and how to not waste a single night.
Akasaka: The Business District That Changes After Dark
Corporate by day. More interesting by night.
Tokyo Rain Photography: How to Shoot It
Most photographers wait for the rain to stop. That's a mistake. The hour after it starts is some of the best light Tokyo ever produces.
Akihabara Night Photography: How to Actually Shoot Electric Town
Akihabara night photography is harder than it looks, and it looks hard. Here's how to approach it.
The Convenience Store at 3am
The Japanese convenience store at 3am is its own universe — who's there, what they're doing, and why it tells you more about Tokyo than any landmark.
Asakusa After Dark: The Sumida River at Night
Everyone photographs Senso-ji. The better Asakusa night photography is along the Sumida River — the bridges, the canals, the yakatabune.
The Best Camera for Tokyo Street Photography
I shoot a Sony A7R IV. I'm not going to tell you to buy one. Here's what actually matters when you're choosing a camera for this city.
Nakano: One Stop from Shinjuku, a World Away
Nakano is one stop west of Shinjuku on the JR Chuo line and operates like a neighbourhood that made a deliberate decision not to become Shinjuku.
Why I Shoot Tokyo at Midnight
After midnight, Tokyo becomes a different city. The crowds thin, the light stays on, and the streets show you things that don't exist at 9pm.
Bubaigawara: The Station Nobody Gets Off At
Most people ride straight through. That's the point.
Tokyo Travel Guide 2026: Everything First-Timers Need to Know
Everything a first-time visitor to Tokyo needs to know — neighbourhoods, transport, cash, food, etiquette, and how to not waste a single day.
Things to Do in Tokyo at Night: The Ultimate Guide to Neon, Streets & Hidden Spots
Tokyo doesn't slow down after dark — it shifts into a different gear. The best version of this city runs from around 9pm to 3am, and most visitors only see a fraction of it.
Ghost in the Shell: The Exhibition at TOKYO NODE
The first large-scale Ghost in the Shell exhibition spanning all anime series — background paintings from the 1995 film, original cels, a chrome sculpture, and two Tachikomas in a café at Toranomon Hills.
Inside Sorayama's Tokyo Retrospective
The largest Sorayama retrospective ever assembled is at Creative Museum Tokyo until May 31. Chrome robots, mirror mazes, and nearly 50 years of an aesthetic that still feels ahead of its time.
Is Street Photography Legal in Japan?
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: yes, but there's a gap between what's legal and what's comfortable — and understanding that gap makes you a better photographer here.
Asagaya: West Tokyo's Best Neighbourhood
Two stops west of Shinjuku on the Chuo line. Feels like a different city.
Akabane: The Izakaya Neighbourhood Nobody Told You About
Most visitors to Tokyo never make it to Akabane. That's their loss and, for now, your advantage.
The AE86 in the Rain: Shooting Japan's Most Legendary Car
I don't usually write about cars. The Toyota AE86 is an exception — found in the rain at a coin parking lot in west Tokyo, Shonan plate, pop-up headlights deployed.
Chiikawa Ramen Ton: The IP Collab Restaurant in Ikebukuro That Takes the Bowl Seriously
An IP collab ramen restaurant in a mall sounds like a reason to leave. It isn't. The theming is thorough, the ramen is Jiro-style and legitimate, and the kamaboko is looking up at you from the bowl with the character's exact expression.
Shibuya After Dark: What 900 Photos Taught Me
Shibuya has the most famous intersection in the world. It's also one of the easiest places to take a bad photo.
What a Shinjuku Night Photo Session Looks Like
Most people who book have never done a photo shoot before. Here's exactly what happens, from the moment we meet to the last frame of the night.
The Best Ramen in Tokyo: A Photographer's Guide
Tokyo has a ramen problem, which is that there's too much of it and almost none of it is bad. Here's what I've figured out after years of eating it at all hours.
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Shinjuku After Dark: A Photographer's Guide
Shinjuku is the most photographed neighbourhood in Tokyo — and still one of the most rewarding. Here's how to actually shoot it well.
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Tokyo's Hidden Bar Alleys: Alternatives to Golden Gai
Golden Gai is in every guidebook now. But Tokyo keeps its secrets well — here are the spots the tourists haven't found yet.
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Kyoto Without the Crowds: A Local's Guide to the Old Capital
Kyoto deserves its reputation. But if you spend your whole trip at the same five spots as everyone else, you're missing half of what makes it special.
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