Plum Blossoms at Shiba Park in 2020: A look back

plum flowers on tree branch

I went to Shiba Park in spring 2020. The sky was a perfect, cloudless blue that made the pinks of the blossoms even more vibrant. Looking back, it was the kind of day that was made for flower photography.

bicyclist under plum blossoms

A quiet, imperfect afternoon

There wasn’t much difference from the previous year. I only noticed the lack of cats. There were none. In 2019 I got some excellent shots of them, so it was a little sad not to see them on this occasion. I’m trying to photograph them when possible to build up a gallery. So if they had been there, it would have been a real bonus that day!

The trees weren’t quite their best, judging by how many buds were still on the trees. But, at the same time, there were a few fully-formed flowers. It’s funny how you forget those minor imperfections over time. Looking at the photos now, all I remember is how much fun I had photographing the plum blossoms.

white plum blossoms at Shiba Park in 2020

A photographer's notes

One problem was that plum blossoms were smaller than cherry blossoms. That makes a massive difference with photographs. I wished I had a macro lens to deal with that problem.

pink plum blossoms

Tips for visiting

If you go to Shiba Park, it will probably be a quick visit as the flowers are in a small area. The good news is that Zojoji and Tokyo Tower aren’t far away. And as it is in the central part of town, many other places are within easy reach.

Looking at these photos now, I see I was experimenting with a flash. I can’t remember my settings or the specifics, but I recall the challenge of holding the camera in one hand and the flash in the other, trying to add a little ‘pop’ of light to make the tiny blossoms stand out against the bright sky. I remember being thrilled with the results at the time.

tower apartment building behind white plum blossoms

Revisiting these pictures reminds me why I love photography. It’s not about capturing a perfect, technically flawless image every time. It’s about bottling a moment—the light, the color, even the slight disappointment of the missing cats—and being able to open it up and experience it again six years later.

pink plum blossom

Have you ever been to Shiba Park? Share your experience in the comments below.

Photo gear for this shoot

  • Camera Body: Fujifilm X-T2
  • Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

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