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Finding Love in Shinjuku: A Photographer’s Guide
Did you know you can find real love in Shinjuku? Yes, you can. There is a Love statue in front of Shinjuku I-Land Tower. It is a well-known landmark and meeting spot in the area. Created by the American artist Robert Indiana, it is big, red, and hard to miss. On top of that, it is popular with photographers too. I’ll tell you what I have learned about it.
There is even an urban legend about this love sign. If you pass between the V and E without your body touching either side, your romance will succeed. Whether that is true or not, I’ve got no idea. I’m a married man, so I don’t need to test it out.
One problem with Love is that the area can be very crowded. The rush hours are usually the worst. But, I’ve been there at even 2 or 3 pm and found it crowded. Everyone was looking at their smartphones. Why? If you sneak around and look over their shoulders, you’ll see they are all playing Pokemon! The Love sculpture seems to be a special spawn spot for certain characters in the game.
Other than that, Love in Shinjuku isn’t hard to photograph. It is a matter of waiting till people move out of the way. But it’s someone will likely be in the background.
If you want a picture with none or few people in it, try a long exposure. Long exposures will capture the light trails from nearby cars and buses. But, with this type of photography, moving people will disappear. That might be a technique worth using.
When is the best time to photograph LOVE in Shinjuku?
- Sunday afternoons, as the area is mostly deserted.
- Later at night
- Before the morning rush hour begins. People might be on their way to work quite early in the morning, though.
Other photo spots near Love
Where is Love in Shinjuku?
LOVE is about a ten-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station. It is in Nishi-Shinjuku, in front of i-Land Tower. See it here on Google Maps.
Wrapping up
If you have any comments or questions, leave them below. And if anyone tests that Tokyo urban legend, let us know how your relationship turned out!