Christmas in Tokyo is all about twinkling lights. Shinjuku Southern Terrace does it every year. In December, it transforms into a magical wonderland. Trees are draped in illuminations, and visitors come. I ventured into this luminous spectacle in 2016 with no plan and learned some lessons. Let me take you through my experience and share some tips.
I was impressed when I saw the terrace’s lights for the first time. They were impressive. The designers covered the trees in thousands of small bulbs. It must have taken several days to get everything set up.
Light-ups are popular in Japan. They attract huge numbers of people! The Southern Terrace was no different. Some people photographed the lights. Others wandered in their glow with someone special. A few killed time looking at them before having a night on the town. I’m sure that Krispy Kreme, right in the middle of the area was happy, as it was crowded.
Where is Shinjuku’s Southern Terrace?
Address: 2-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo
It is over the road from JR Shinjuku’s south exit, near Takashimaya, the department store. Here it is on a Google map:
Even though I love photography, I’m not the most creative type. I had no idea how to photograph the lights when I arrived! It was my first experience with this type of event. A plan was necessary.
I walked around Shinjuku Southern Terrace and studied the people taking pictures. There were so many. Most had smartphones, but some had DSLRs. A few even brought tripods. It was interesting and educational.
They taught me two important things. First, I needed to start. Looking and hesitating would get me nowhere. Second, several photographers used tripods.
Conclusion
My first trip to the Shinjuku Southern Terrace was an education. It wasn’t just about seeing how Tokyo celebrates Christmas, but about learning how to capture the magic. A tripod, I realized, isn’t just a piece of gear; it’s a tool that allows you to slow down, compose, and do justice to a scene. I left without the perfect photo, but with a goal for the following year: to return equipped and ready to capture the glow.
Photo gear for this shoot
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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