Photographing Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue: 5 Tips for Your First Visit
Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is one of Tokyo’s most iconic autumn destinations, and for good reason. This famous avenue, leading to the outer gardens of Meiji Shrine, is lined with 146 majestic ginkgo trees. When autumn arrives, their leaves ignite into a brilliant gold, creating a stunning spectacle that draws huge crowds of Tokyoites and photographers alike.
I had this spot on my photographic bucket list for years, and in 2019, I finally made my first visit. It was everything I had hoped for and surprisingly accessible to photograph, which was a welcome bonus.
It was a good experience. There were quite a few people, but they added to the atmosphere. Some trendy people even wore yellow jackets, which matched the leaves. It’s easy to understand why it is popular in Tokyo during autumn.
How to plan your visit
Where is the avenue?
Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue is easy to find. It is between the Ginza subway line stations, Gaienmae (exit 4a) and Aoyama-Ichome (exit 1).
Here it is on a Google map:
When is the best time to go?
The peak season is between mid-November to December.
Amenities: Food, drinks, and breaks
If you need a break, there is a Shake Shack to accommodate your needs.
5 essential photography tips
- The avenue becomes incredibly crowded during peak season, so your priority should be awareness. With so many people and cars, it’s important to be careful while setting up your shots.
- To capture the avenue’s serene beauty without the crowds, your best bet is to arrive early in the morning. This is often the only way to get those clean, uncluttered shots.
- Beyond timing, weather plays a crucial role. While my shots were taken on an overcast day, the golden leaves truly come alive against a crisp blue sky. Aim for a sunny day to make the colors pop and do the scene justice.
- For the best photos, shoot along the street to get some sense of depth. T-junctions are at both ends, so it is easy to do this.
- Over recent years, the base of the trees has been covered in “keep out” tape. It looks pretty ugly. Frame your shots carefully.
Photo gear for this shoot
Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T2
Lenses:
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
- Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
Final thoughts
Since that first trip in 2019, I’ve returned to Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue several times, and the magic of photographing that incredible expanse of yellow never fades. It’s a fleeting but unforgettable spectacle that defines autumn in Tokyo.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
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External related websites
- Meiji Jingu Gaien (official website)