How to have the best Instagram photo of Tokyo
Tokyo, star city on Instagram
The cosmopolitan city of Tokyo is eye-catching... Between its Shinto shrines nestled in the middle of modern buildings, its vast traditional gardens, and skyscrapers in trendy districts, the Japanese capital is a wonderful playground for photographers around the world, amateur or professional, especially for users of Instagram!
1. Tokyo Tower (Minato)
Tokyo Tower offers everything a tower can offer in terms of Instagram photography: height for panoramas, relief for low-angle shots, and a shot that makes sense since Tokyo Tower is one of the city's emblems. with its sister Tokyo Skytree.
Inaugurated in 1958 to echo the Japanese economic miracle, it symbolizes in itself the extraordinary capacity that Japan had to rise from its ashes after the Second World War (1939-1945). A pretty emblem of 333 meters which therefore inspires the Japanese daily!
- Address: 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, 105-0011 Tokyo
- Directions: A few minutes' walk from Onarimon (Mita Line), Akabanebashi (Oedo Line), and Kamiyacho (Hibiya Line) stations
2. Gotokuji (Setagaya)
Famous throughout Japan for its maneki neko, these popular lucky cat statues in the archipelago, Gotokuji Temple is also an Instagram sensation for the same reason. Whether large, small, in 2D, or relief, the maneki neko have indeed colonized the temple!
They are found both in the form of statuettes and in the form of ema (small wooden signs bringing good luck), and one of them even managed to find a place on the temple pagoda representing the 12 signs of the zodiac (Jûnishi ) yet without a cat!
- Read also: The lucky charms of Japanese temples
It must also be said that the history of the temple is closely linked to that of the lucky cat since it is said that it is here that the legend of the maneki neko was born; when a noble was attracted to the temple by the monk's cat found refuge there during pouring rain, and thanked the latter by taking his master out of danger.
If you don't get rich, Gotokuji's maneki neko will (maybe) make you popular on Instagram, who knows?
- Address: 2Chome-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya, 154-0021 Tokyo
- Directions: a few minutes walk from Miyanosaka (Tokyu-Setagaya line) and Gotokuji (Odakyu line) stations
3. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando (Shibuya)
Located at the corner of Meiji (Meiji-dori) and Omotesando (Omotesando-dori) streets, Tokyu Plaza Omotesando is a very popular shopping mall in Harajuku.
Known to fashionistas for its many clothing boutiques, it is also very popular with Instagrammers for its incredible entrance. An entrance made up of several dozen mirrors, which offers very beautiful plays of reflections and light!
- Address: 4Chome-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya, 150-0001 Tokyo
- Directions: A stone's throw from Meijijingu-mae ''Harajuku'' station (Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines)
4. Tokyo Station (Chiyoda)
Located in the heart of the Japanese capital, Tokyo Station is very interesting for photography enthusiasts.
With its unique design and its warm colors which denote perfectly the cold tones of the surrounding buildings, it is indeed perfect to complete the Instagram feed of its travelers. Just like its surroundings, also very photogenic, and combine graphic architecture and colonial urbanism.
- Address: 1Chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
5. Mori Building Digital Art Museum: Epson TeamLab Borderless(Odaiba)
Created in Odaiba in June 2018 by the collective TeamLab Borderless, a team of ''digital'' artists, the Mori Building Digital Art Museum (more commonly nicknamed '' TeamLab Museum '') revolves around the concept of sound and light games with its 10,000m² dedicated to digital arts!
A true work of art all by itself, this museum has been able to put technology at the service of art by transporting each visitor to its colorful and bucolic universe. A universe that can also be captured in photos, to the delight of photo enthusiasts.
- Address: 1 Chome-3-15 Aomi, Koto, 135-0064 Tokyo
- Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm. on weekdays, and 10 am. to 9 pm on weekends.
- Directions: A stone's throw from Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line)
The Japanese capital is full of photogenic places by the hundred, do not hesitate to bring the PASMO card to travel smart. And share your favorite places on Instagram by tagging our Japan Experience account!