I just came back from a two weeks trip through Japan. So I thought it would be nice to provide you guys with some detailed information and impressions about the destinations I've visited in the land of rising sun. Let's call this Japan Series, featuring a little article about each stop on the journey.
My first destination was Tokyo. A place which is well known for its density of population and epic rush hours. Tokyo city also owns some of the most impressive architecture and cityscapes, which make it a top destination for photographers.
You'll find a lot of rooftops and observation decks distributed around the most famous areas, which are accessible for the public. And the best is that most of them are really affordable or have no entrance fee at all. So make sure you get yourself a nice seat in the first row, when the sun sets behind this breathtaking scenery, covering endless peaks of concrete into a golden dust of light.
Sunsets are best viewed from one of the plenty observation decks
No matter if you're into look-ups, futuristic facades or never ending roads full of movement and rush, this city offers it all. It will leave you mindblown, feeling like you came back from a trip into the future or from another planet, belonging to a solar system far away from ours.
As most of the places get really crowded, and by that I mean a whole different level of human density, you should be prepared to visit those spots during late night or early morning.
Getting shots of these futuristic places without a single person in it is what I personally strive for. It's a strange, yet satisfying feeling to be there all alone, thinking about the fact that a couple hours later ten thousands of roaming souls will flow through. Most of them making their way to work, not paying any attention to the surrounding environment. It definitely makes you feel like you experienced something really special, collecting the real vibe of a spot.
I saw metro stations which looked like a weird system of synapses, visited a church which reminded me of an alien spaceship and took pictures of a television tower, which made me waiting for a countdown to be starting until it blasts off into space.
Some of you might also heard about those huge crossings, where thousands of people change sides between each traffic light circuit. Well, in Tokyo you'll find plenty of them. The most famous ones are located in Ginza, Shinjuku and Shibuya area. Make sure to get into one of the surrounding buildings and take the elevator to the upper floors for having a nice view on these intersections.
Tokyo's crossings are most spectacular when viewed from above during rush hour
But Tokyo has so much more to offer than just architecture and cityscapes. One definitely has to explore its different city districts. The different smells from first class asian cuisine, the hustle and bustle of the crowds, the overwhelming ambient noise, it all melts together into one indescribable atmosphere. If you're interested in street and urban photography, you'll have a hard time not pushing the shutter button of your camera 24/7.
Tokyo's unique street atmosphere
Since I left this melting pot of diversity, I feel like I go cold turkey on the future, like if somebody decided to send me back to my boring everyday life in the presence.
I'll be back for sure and thankfully this was just the first stop on my trip through Japan.
Thanks a lot for following along and make sure to stay tuned for the next article on my Japan Series.