For many photographers, the ‘golden hour’ often feels like the only time to shoot the skyline. But I’ve found a time I often prefer: the late afternoon. From the free observation deck at Ebisu Garden Place Tower, the city reveals a different kind of beauty. On a recent Sunday, with incredible cloud formations overhead, I set out to capture the skyline, focusing on landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills, illuminated by the clear, late-day sun.
This time I was lucky. The cloud formations were extremely good. They weren’t the cumulonimbus clouds that I love, but they were still interesting.
With the sun getting lower, the heat of the day dissipated. That provided another bonus. The sky became bluer, which was what I wanted. And the haze we often see in summer was almost non-existent. I was in for a treat.
From the observation deck, the late afternoon sun beautifully lights the central city skyline, where Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Hills, and Azabudai Hills stand as primary targets. To the north, you’ll find views of Shibuya and Shinjuku, and on a clear day, you might even be rewarded with a brief glimpse of Mount Fuji’s summit to the west.
Yebisu Garden Place Tower has two observation decks, on the 38th and 39th floors. For these eastward views, you want the 38th floor. The upper deck doesn’t have public windows facing this direction unless you enter one of the restaurants.
The 38th floor has a fantastic row of windows, but they are sunk into sills wide enough for people to sit on. This is a very popular spot, especially on weekends leading up to sunset, and many people won’t move once they’re settled. It can be frustrating, so be prepared to wait patiently for a spot to open up.
This brings up a common question: why not wait for the famous ‘golden hour’? It ranges from about twenty minutes to about one hour after sunrise or before sunset. Photographers love it because it produces beautiful natural light. The light is even, and the shadows are long due to the angle of the sun, which can look much better than shooting at high noon. And it has a golden hue, of course!
Some people shoot it for precisely that reason. For me, it is overused. I don’t want to be typecast as a certain type of photographer.
Every person is entitled to their own opinion, and they can photograph what they want, so if you are building a brand on sunset or sunrise photography, go for it! But if you want to show how the world really is, shoot at different times.
Late afternoons are great for the Tokyo skyline. They are great for any city and landscape, too. Here’s a thought for cityscape/landscape photographers. How about you skip Golden hour one day and see what you think?
Date of Photos: 10 July 2022
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5 these days. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
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