Without a doubt, Tokyo is one of the most photogenic cities in the world. From incredible cityscapes that make sense why Tokyo inspires so many sci-fi movies, to gorgeous temples and palaces that harken back to its traditional past, this city has it all. Any photography enthusiast — no matter if you are a complete newbie or a bonafide professional — would be excited to take a trip to this incredible city. But do you want to know a secret? Tokyo is even better at night!
That’s right. Like many other major cities, Tokyo truly comes alive once the sun sets. The bright neon signs and awesome city lights prove that Tokyo is a city that never sleeps. The entire place has a vibrant energy that would look just incredible through your camera lens. While this city is photogenic from every angle, we’ve listed 13 specific spots you can check out for your night shoot journey!
Join A Night Photoshoot In Tokyo
Before we dive into this list of the best night photo spots in Tokyo, we wanted to let you know that if you want to get awesome pictures of you by night, you should hire one of our local photographers in Tokyo. They will take you to hidden photo spots and they will capture stunning shots of you that will blow up your Instagram. We have 3 photographers that are really good at night photography : Kevin, Aki and Yosuke. You can check out their work below.
- Kevin’s Photoshoot: Urban & Neon Night Photoshoot in Tokyo w/ a Personal Photographer
- Aki’s Photoshoot: Tokyo Streets Photo Session By Night With Your Private Photographer
- Yosuke’s Photoshoot: Tokyo After Dark Photoshoot With Japanese Photographer
Let’s now go back to our list of the coolest night photo spots in Tokyo!
1. Tokyo Tower
Of course, we have to start with the iconic Tokyo Tower. This is a “classic” Tokyo photo spot for a reason! This Japanese reimagining of the Paris Eiffel Tower draws in thousands of onlookers every day. While majestic all day long, it definitely springs to life at night. The lights add an air of romance and majesty to the sleek architecture. To make the most out of this spot, we recommend bringing some wide-angle lenses to capture the Tokyo Tower in all its glory. We also recommend spending a bit of time to get the perfect angle of the tower. When in doubt, the locals would be more than happy to give you some know-how!
Exact Location: Tokyo Tower
2. Yodabashi Camera Shinjuku
Up next we have Yodabashi Camera Shinjuku! This is one of the biggest camera stores in all of Tokyo, so it’s already a great hub for both local and foreign photographers. But aside from being a great shop to get some equipment and accessories, the building itself photographs quite beautifully! Its iconic red neon sign draws photographers from all over. Pair that with the Shinjuku cityscape and you’ve got yourself an irresistible photo spot.
Exact Location: Yodabashi Camera Shinjuku
3. Omoide Yokocho
If you want to capture authentic Tokyo scenes, then you must head to Omoide Yokocho. This is an iconic alley with a lot of photogenic restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and more. While it’s still pretty popular during the day, it becomes ten times more interesting after the sunset. When coming, we suggest skipping the tripod and sticking to your handheld camera instead. It can get pretty crowded here, but you can use that to your advantage to get some incredible portraits. Take advantage also of the strong light sources found here at night, and we’re sure you can come up with a magical photo.
Exact Location: Omoide Yokocho
4. Godzilla Statue
After winning big at the 2024 Oscars, we’re sure Godzilla has gotten a new fan or two! Meet this classic figure in Japanese cinema right here in Shinjuku. Located on Central Road, it’s an awesome spot that attracts both Godzilla super-fans and casual enjoyers. At night, Godzilla looks even more ferocious when surrounded by brilliant neon lights. We’re sure your photos will come out just as fearsome as this character!
Exact Location: Gozdilla Statue
5. Kabukicho
In Tokyo, Kabukicho is no doubt one of its most well-known areas. Why? Because it’s an absolute haven for neon lovers! At night, this district transforms into a well-lit wonderland, with jaw-dropping buildings and sights that would take you straight to a Wong Kar-Wai movie. In Kabukicho, there’s an especially famous spot: the gates. The bright red gates will welcome you as soon as you step into this crazy neon underworld.
Exact Location: Shinjuku Kabukicho Gates
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6. Shinjuku Cat
Meet your newest feline friend! Shinjuku is home to a beautiful and weird landmark: a huge 3D billboard of an adorable cat. It’s one of those things you can only find in Japan — a quirky yet loveable landmark that’s as unique as it is photogenic. Have fun documenting how this little cat moves fluidly in the giant billboard. The surrounding areas are also full of glowing lanterns, making for another excellent photo spot!
Exact Location: Shinjuku Cat
7. Shibuya Crossing
Of course, when talking about photo spots, we can’t miss mentioning Shibuya Crossing. Imagine a simple crosswalk being so photogenic, it reaches worldwide icon status. That’s Shibuya Crossing for you. After all, it’s not just any crosswalk — it’s one of the busiest crosswalks in the world! That makes for some amazing photo opportunities. We especially recommend taking some long exposure shots to really capture the vibrant energy of Shibuya.
Exact Location: Shibuya Crossing
8. Shibuya Sky
For another angle of the great Shibuya Crossing, why not view it from the sky? The Shibuya Sky is located at the Shibuya Scramble Square building. Here you can get an absolutely gorgeous panoramic view of the city! This 360-degree open-air observation deck is among the best in Tokyo. After you get enough of taking beautiful photos, feel free to head to the bar, relax, and watch the sunset go by.
Exact Location: Shibuya Sky
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9. Asakusa
Our next pick is not just one spot — but an entire area! If you want a place that captures the more traditional charms of the old city, then head on over to Asakusa. This little area has amazing traditional craft stores, aesthetically pleasing cafes, and trendy restaurants. It even has some incredible traditional architecture like temples and pagodas. Everywhere you look, your camera will surely be drawn to all the amazing spots you can find around Asakusa.
Exact Location: Asakusa
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10. Ueno
Speaking of whole areas of Tokyo you should explore, we have Ueno! Ueno is another one of those spots that has somewhat preserved the traditional charm of Tokyo. This place is known for having ornate Shinto and Zen landmarks, like the Benzaiten Temple. This place is also full of cultural wonders as seen in the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art, and more. At night, Ueno becomes even more interesting as its neon signs flood the vast night sky.
Exact Location: Ueno
11. Shiinamachi Station
Our next spot may not be as well-known as the other ones on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less amazing. In fact, its low-key nature may just be part of its charms! As soon as you step off of Shiinamachi Station, you’ll be greeted by dazzling neon signs from all the nearby bars, restaurants, and stores. We recommend heading up the overpass across the road to get the best view of the incredible cityscape. Another pro-tip? This place looks even better when it’s raining! The neon signs get all blurry, offering a romantic and sentimental vibe to the entire area.
Exact Location: Shiinamachi Station
12. Roppongi
Another spot you should definitely check out is the Roppongi District. This is a vibrant entertainment district that attracts both locals and tourists. After all, you can find pretty much everything in Roppongi. From designer fashion boutiques, cool art museums, delectable restaurants, and snazzy nightclubs, this place has it all. At night, every corner becomes a great photo opportunity! Have fun capturing the buzzing nightlife and cool hangout spots in this lively area. The best part? Roppongi also provides a wonderful view of the Tokyo Tower!
Exact Location: Roppongi
+1 Tokyo Skytree
And finally, we are ending this list with yet another Tokyo tower that you have to check out. The tallest tower in the world can be found right here in Tokyo. At over 634 meters (¬2080 feet), it’s a majestic beauty that deserves to be photographed in its full glory. While it’s definitely a gorgeous sight all day long, it is especially beautiful starting from the sunset and onwards. Once Tokyo Skytree gets lit with thousands of colorful lights, it becomes a true iconic photo spot that any self-respecting photographer should visit.
Exact Location: Tokyo Skytree
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There you have it! We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best night photo shoot spots in Tokyo. Which one are you most excited to visit?
Night photography can be a bit tricky even for seasoned photographers. Our advice? Don’t fuss too much about the technical aspects, go out there and experiment, and just let the beauty of the place do the work. Tokyo is the kind of city wherein it doesn’t take much to make it look good. These photo spots are spread throughout the city so you can have fun and explore — all while capturing breathtaking photographs!
Want to discover more photogenic locations in Tokyo? Check our selection of the 20 most Instagrammable photo spots in Tokyo!