Car Spotting Trials at Meiji Jingu’s Ginkgo Trees
Imagine golden ginkgo trees framing a sleek Ferrari or a classic Porsche as it glides down one of Tokyo’s most picturesque roads. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue isn’t just about autumn foliage. It’s a magnet for supercars and luxury vehicles that add horsepower to the beauty. But what’s the secret to finding these beasts among the crowds? Timing, luck, and a little strategy. Or is something else involved? Intrigued? Let’s look at car spotting at this seasonal wonderland.
Car spotting certainly involves timing, luck, and strategy. But I’ll add fashion to the mix. Really? Yes, it sure does. How does Rohan figure that? Well, Tokyoites are fashionable people. They love any excuse to dress up. So when the trees turn yellow in autumn, guess where they head? How is this connected to car photos? Read on and find out.
The avenue becomes a fashion show. Beautiful people go there to be seen. But if you really want to turn heads, drive a supercar along the road. That will get loads of attention! So that is why I go there. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a magnet for expensive cars.
I arrived around midday expecting lots of people. Well, they were there. How about the sportscars? It was like searching for a needle in a haystack. They were far and few between. That was surprising.
You could say I got photos of Porsches. That’s true. But Tokyo has so many of those. They hardly count. I see so many that they are almost family cars for me.
Did you see my 2023 article? That year saw many incredible cars. There were old classics and some high-powered machines. Talk about a petrolhead’s dream. This year I found out why there were so many.
Do you remember my recent Coppi di Tokyo 2024 article? Well, those cars passed through the avenue in 2023 because it was a rally checkpoint. I just didn’t know of the event at that time. Luck let me see them.
I got a few good shots, but not as many as I hoped this year. Going on Saturday was probably a mistake as many people probably still had work. In 2025, I will go on a Sunday. More supercars should be there.
One other thing worries me. Did you know the area is scheduled for redevelopment? It is. That is the destruction of the area’s ginkgo trees. And that means many of them will be cut down. I’m unsure if or how many of those on the avenue will go. Will things change much in 2025? Only time will tell.
Anyway, these are my shots of cool cars on Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue. Hopefully, I’ll remember the lesson I learned from this year. And that will be to go on a Sunday. The other thing is to stay there all day. That will give me a better chance of seeing the cars I want.
Conclusion
Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is a unique destination for car spotting in Tokyo. Unfortunately, this year’s visit didn’t match 2023 in terms of numbers of cars. But the experience offered valuable lessons. Timing is everything. Sunday visits and longer stays may yield better results.
The avenue’s future hangs in the balance due to redevelopment plans. Luckily, photographers and car enthusiasts can still glimpse beauty, style, and speed there. Enjoy these moments while they last. Here’s hoping that the ginkgo trees—and the cars—will still be there again in 2025.
Date photos taken: 30 November 2024
For more car articles, look at:
External related articles: