These Were My Favorite Places to Shoot as a Photographer in Japan

The one travel companion I never embark on a trip without is my Canon Rebel T7 camera. During my recent trip to Japan, I knew that it would be even more attached to me than normal. 

I always envisioned Japan as one of the best places in the world for photography. That impression was proven right almost immediately. Every random alleyway and corner of the country provides the composition that photographers pray for. 

There are amazing photo spots all over Japan, but certain locations are just destined to be photographed. After traveling and taking photos all across the country, these were my absolute favorite photo spots. 

Fushimi Inari Gates

The Fushimi Inari Gates is one of those travel destinations that left me in awe because I’ve been foggily picturing what it’s like there for so long. I was dying to capture the eerily spiritual Japanese attraction on film, which made it the perfect activity for my birthday. 

The early morning of February 5th, 2024 was cloud-covered, gray, and rainy in Kyoto. At first, I feigned the disappointment of wanting bright sunny photos of the iconic red gates. 

However, once I looked at my photos and saw moody, quiet shots that were free from tourists (who didn’t want to get wet), I was thrilled by the weather. I shot a few of my favorite photos that I’ve ever taken on that rainy morning at the Fushimi Inari Gates. 

📷 Photography Tip: Most visitors don’t want to climb up the stairs to reach the top of the mountain. So naturally, the best place to go is up if you want to get photos without a bunch of people walking through the gates at once. 

Kiyomizu-Dera

Temples have been one of my favorite places to take photos since I visited Thailand. I was particularly excited to shoot Kiyomizu-Dera on the hillsides overlooking Kyoto. 

Kiyomizu-Dera is filled with intricate Japanese architecture that looks gorgeous in photos. It’s also located at a prime vantage point for pictures of the landscape.  Plus, the walk up to the temple takes you through some adorable alleys for street photography. 

👉 Pro Tip: It’s considered inappropriate to take photos inside temples in Japan. There are quite a few Japanese cultural taboos to watch out for when you’re visiting a religious site like this.  

Gion Neighborhood

Much of central Kyoto is very modernized, but the gorgeous Gion neighborhood is instilled with a distinct old-school charm. It’s also known as the Geisha district as it’s one of the few places in the city where trainees of the art form wander around. 

Gion is a stunning neighborhood for photographs, however, take care and be respectful about taking your photos. The tourists around this area have gotten so out of control that visitors can be fined for taking photos of geishas around the area [Source]. 

This is why I visited the area on a rainy morning when everyone had their umbrellas out. It allowed me to take cool subject shots without showing people’s faces. It also added to the overall atmospheric vibe the neighborhood naturally cultivates. 

Kinkakuji Temple

Water is the unpaid actor of many great photographs and this is definitely the case at Kinkauji Temple near Kyoto. The golden Buddhist temple is spectacular to the naked eye and in photos because it’s made to look as if it’s floating atop the water’s surface. 

I went to Kinkauji Temple during Japan’s winter season, so the weather was a bit dreary and cloudy. I recommend visiting around autumn (between November and early December) to capture the best photos at this Japanese attraction. 

Dotonbori Neighborhood

Osaka is a lively, skyscraper-filled city that reminds me a bit of New York City in certain neighborhoods. The hustle and bustle of it all makes it an optimal destination for street photography in Japan. Especially in the famed district of Dotonbori. 

Dotonbori is one of those places that’s so intense and action-packed that it’s overwhelming. However, photographers who can brave the crowds and noise are bound to catch some colorful shots. 

📷 Photography Tip: Meander off onto the side streets if the center of Dontonbori is too chaotic for you. You’re bound to capture more peaceful, but still visually rich photographs there.

Jonangu Shrine

Millions of people travel to Japan each April to catch a glimpse of the country’s famous, bubble-gum pink blossoms. I was lucky enough to be in Japan at the right time to take countless cherry and plum blossom photos. 

There are many places to shoot this floral phenomenon, however, I got the best photographs at Jonangu Shrine in Kyoto. This tiny shrine is a popular local spot to appreciate the burst of springtime. 

It’s easy to get breathtaking images of the blossoms here because there are designated paths where visitors are allowed to walk. This means that you’re guaranteed some empty space to capture the flowers no matter how busy it gets. 

Just expect to compete with many other photographers for limited space. 

teamLab Planets Tokyo

I loved taking photos at the teamLab Planets installation in Tokyo because each shot felt like a new experience. 

You completely forget the outside world and get lost exploring this manufactured one. This type of energy makes for some very cool photographs that will leave everyone asking where you managed to get pictures like that. 

Nishiki Market

I always try to visit a market when I’m exploring a new city. Not only are markets the jackpot for local food and culture, but they’re also one of the best places to capture photos of everyday life. 

Nishiki Market in Kyoto is a perfect example of this. The place has this rainbow glass panel that reminds me of Fruit Stripe gum running down the center of the 1,300-foot-long market. This provides pretty good lighting for photos. 

Kamakura

The coastal town of Kamakura is just shy of an hour from Tokyo on Japan’s reliable public transportation. It’s the ideal day trip from Tokyo for photographers because there are a wealth of gorgeous places within walking distance here. 

First, I checked out the 37-foot Great Buddha of Kamakura, which is the small town’s biggest attraction. Then, I continued to other photogenic shrines around the area like Hase-dera. 

Everywhere I turned, another photo opportunity caught my eye. It’s safe to say that anywhere in Kamakura will inspire a photograph or two.  

Senso-Ji Temple

I visited Senso-Ji Temple on my very first day in Japan just as the afternoon was tapering off into the evening. It was such a good call because the lighting bounced off the crimson buildings brilliantly. 

As one of the most popular places in Tokyo, tons of people make their way through Senso-Ji every day. That was great for me as a photographer because it enabled me to capture varied street shots. 

If you prefer a less cluttered image that’s free of other people, arrive at the temple in the early hours of the morning. 

Gotokuji Temple

Gotokujii was unique from every other temple in Japan thanks to its very clear theme: cats. Thousands of traditional cat statues stand dutifully throughout the space and they are believed to bring good luck to visitors. 

The luck definitely worked in my favor as a photographer at Gotokuji because I got some really fun shots here. The oddity of having so many uniform cats in one place is enough to get solid photos.  

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Japan is such a perfect destination for photographers because there are so many different types of shots possible there. 

The big cities offer a maze of potential street photography and there are tons of architectural wonders to shoot across the country. 

Japan is home to world-known natural phenomena that translate beautifully in photographs. For example, cherry and plum blossoms. Plus, there are endless places to capture local Japanese culture on film, like markets and quaint neighborhoods. 

All in all, my initial impressions of Japan were exceedingly correct – it is a magical place for photography. 

One of my favorite things to do besides taking photos was shopping in Japan. To learn more, check out my experience shopping at Japan’s famous Don Quixote store.