5 Must-See Places in Tokyo for Photographers

Tokyo is the best city in the world when it comes to photography. When you have a country that manufactures some of the largest photography brands in the world (Canon, Nikon…), it makes sense that photography is a pretty big part of Japanese culture.

Living in Japan made me a better photographer because I was constantly exposed to new equipment and the art world.

If you’re a photographer or love photography, the next time you’re in Tokyo, you should think about visiting one of these fun Tokyo Photography Travel locations!

1. Shinjuku Camera Town

Shinjuku Tokyo is home to Tokyo’s camera town. Here you will find a ton of used camera shops as well as Yodobashi Camera. For a photographer, this place is heaven on Earth.

Directions: Just take the train to Shinjuku Station and go out the West Exit. You will see Yodobashi Camera across the street.

2. The Hara Museum

The Hara Museum has long been one of Tokyo’s premier contemporary art museums. This world gallery houses works from world-class artists and is an important piece of the art world.

• Directions: 15-minute walk from Shinagawa Station
• HOURS: 11:00 – 17:00 (Wednesdays until 20:00); Closed Mondays and New Year holidays
• ADMISSION: ¥1100

3. The Photographer’s Bar in Golden Gai, Kodoji

Kodoji is a bar in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai District or the infamous Kabukicho district. This bar is small and quaint and completely covered in photographs! It’s said that a number of famous photographers have stopped here for a drink. You never know who you might be sitting next to! The place was a little hard to find, but it was well worth it. Walking in, you’ll probably see a few other photographers with cameras at the bar chatting up the friendly bartender.

• Directions to the Golden Gai District: 1 Chome Kabukicho, 新宿区 Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

 4. Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography

Located in Ebisu, this is a Tokyo photography location not to miss! It hosts exhibitions of famous photographers from around the world. This museum, however, has been under an extensive renovation for over a year, but it opens again in the Fall of 2016!

• Directions: Just take the train to Ebisu station

5. National Art Center Tokyo

The National Art Center is worth a visit on its own. The architecture here will blow your pants off! Inside, you’ll also find a small library with a ton of art and photography books for you to browse, though. This is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in Tokyo!

Directions:  7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo 106-8558, Japan

By train

• Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nogizaka Station Exit 6 is directly connected to the Center
• Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Roppongi Station 5-minute walk from Exit 4a
• Toei Oedo Subway Line Roppongi Station 4-minute walk from Exit 7

Do you want to unlock Tokyo’s Hidden Magic? I recommend my book, The Hidden Tokyo Neighborhood Guidebook. It’s filled with hundreds of things to do and a range of activities that only an experienced local can possibly know about. You’ll unlock nearly 30 of Tokyo’s top neighborhoods in over 400 pages, designed to leave you knowing this city on a whole other level. Learn more.