Birding activities in Tokyo
A heart-stopping camera crisis. I raced against time to find the fix before I could photograph the Hama Rikyu Gardens falcons fly for the first time in three years. My 2023 New Year’s photo shoot was anything but boring.
Discover Zenpukuji Park, a hidden gem for birdspotting in Tokyo’s Suginami ward. While a short walk from the station, its main draw is the chance to see tiny kingfishers up close. In autumn, the journey is rewarded with a stunning display of yellow ginkgo leaves.
Frustrated by an initial failed attempt at bird photography in Kasai Rinkai Park, I developed a simple three-point strategy. This new approach of focusing my efforts and shooting deliberately transformed my results, proving that a better plan is more valuable than just better camera gear.
Bird photography at Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park again! I looked out the window this morning and was thrilled. The weather was perfect—the exact type I liked, with big, fluffy cumulonimbus clouds filling the sky. I grabbed my Fujifilm X-T3, put the 100-400mm lens on it, and headed out, determined to have a great shoot….
Lugging my camera gear on the long train journey to Kasai Rinkai Park, I was filled with high hopes of spotting some new feathered friends. My mission? To capture something a little more exciting than the brown-eared bulbuls I was used to photographing. Would I finally snap a shot of an osprey or a kestrel…
I finally did it: a photo walk dedicated to Kanda River bird photography during cherry blossom season. The flowers were at their peak, and I was filled with anticipation for a great day. Along the path, many people were walking, jogging, or taking pictures, all wanting one more chance to see the short-lived blooms. So…
Brown-eared bulbuls and flowers—specifically, cherry blossoms—are a chaotic but beautiful combination. For the last few months, I’ve been itching to do more bird spotting, but life kept getting in the way. Finally, I decided enough was enough. With Tokyo deep in the hanami season, there was no better time to get back out there. I…
Falconry at Hama Rikyu Gardens (January 2020) Every January, the ancient sport of falconry returns to Tokyo’s Hama Rikyu Gardens. It’s a nod to history, as Japan’s shoguns once used these grounds to hunt ducks with their prized birds. While those times are gone, falconers who keep the tradition alive showcase their skills over a…
The Tokyo humidity is a force of nature, yet for a dedicated photographer, the pull of a rare sighting is always stronger. In August, I set out to document the avian life at the edge of the city, carrying my Fujifilm 100-400mm lens. It’s a substantial piece of glass, but the reach was non-negotiable for…
Discover an unexpected sanctuary at the edge of Tokyo’s industrial bay. This photo guide to Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park covers access, observation huts, and essential gear tips for capturing over 200 bird species. Escape the concrete jungle and find out why this unique reserve is a must-visit for nature photographers.