Golden Hour Futsal on Tokyo Bay

There are moments when you know things are going to be perfect, and a Sunday afternoon in February 2021 was one of them. I was at MIFA Football Park near Shin-Toyosu Station for a mixed futsal session, my first time at this incredible location.

The scene: Futsal on Tokyo Bay

The courts, right where the Sumida River meets Tokyo Bay, were buzzing with energy. With clear weather and the popular Toyosu Gururi Park nearby, every court was packed.

The games kicked off at 3 p.m., and as the sun began its slow descent, the afternoon transformed. Two hours later, our court was bathed in the beautiful, soft light of Golden Hour—a dream for sports photography.

High-skill play in a friendly atmosphere

This was my first Sunday session with the Futsal Tokyo group, and the weekend slot meant more people could join. I was excited to see new faces and was immediately struck by the high skill level on display. It was a friendly but competitive atmosphere, with some of the plays being genuinely thrilling to watch.

What stood out most was the mixed-futsal format. The women on the court were incredibly impressive, matching the men with sharp skills and powerful shots. They didn’t just hold their own; they scored many of the day’s best goals.

The event was well-organized. Four teams of six battled in a round-robin tournament, with each match lasting about twenty-five minutes. With only one court in use, two teams would play while the others rested, ensuring everyone got plenty of game time.

More than just a game, it was a gathering of a great bunch of Tokyoites. The group was welcoming, full of humor, and truly international. You don’t need Japanese language skills to fit in—just a smile. If you’re looking for a friendly game, don’t hesitate to join them.

A photographer's perspective

From a photographer’s perspective, the Golden Hour light was perfect, but my gear presented a challenge. I only brought my Fujifilm 55-200mm lens, which performed well for distant shots. However, when the action moved closer, its narrow field of view made it difficult to frame the players effectively. It made me realize the benefit of having two camera bodies, each with a different lens. This would allow me to capture the whole court without pausing to switch equipment. In fact, about two months after this game, I bought a Fujifilm X-T3 to do just that.