How to Photograph Tokyo’s Skyline in Summer: A Guide to Yebisu Garden Place
Looking for one of the best free views of the Tokyo skyline? The observation deck at Yebisu Garden Place Tower is a fantastic spot. However, shooting during a hot and hazy summer day can be challenging. This guide will walk you through how to overcome the tricky lighting conditions to capture stunning photos of landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills.
Why should you photograph from Yebisu Garden Tower Place?
- It’s free!
- There are no large buildings nearby. The view has no obstructions. You get a good idea of the layout of Tokyo.
- Even in bright afternoon daylight, Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Tower look great.
- You might see Mount Fuji, if you are very lucky.
The Challenge: Shooting in Tokyo's Summer Haze and Harsh Sun
The results from these pictures, which I took on 30 June 2022, were mixed. As the sun was in the west, the areas towards the east were well-lit. Tokyo Tower and Roppongi Hills were in that direction. They looked good in the afternoon.
But, in the north and west, the sun was relatively high in the sky. There was also haze. Conditions were less than optimal. This was normal for Yebisu Garden Place Tower in summer. All of Tokyo is the same.
Shooting towards the sun is problematic. It is hard to get the correct exposure. The cityscape will be in shadow, and the sky will be bright.
Three Essential Tips for Better Summer Cityscapes
- Shoot With the Sun Behind You
- If you’re struggling with haze and washed-out skies, the easiest fix is to change your position. By keeping the sun behind you, your subject—in this case, the Tokyo skyline—will be beautifully lit. This technique also helps create a deeper, richer blue in the sky, naturally cutting through some of the haze.
- Master Difficult Light with Exposure Bracketing
- When you have to shoot towards the sun, your camera can’t capture the detail in both the bright sky and the dark cityscape at the same time. The solution is exposure bracketing.
- Take one photo that is underexposed to correctly capture the bright sky.
- Take a second photo that is overexposed to correctly capture the details in the shadowed buildings.
- Combine these photos later in software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to create one perfectly balanced image. If you’re new to this, search for “exposure bracketing tutorials” on YouTube for easy-to-follow guides.
- Use a Polarizing Filter
- A polarizing filter is one of the best tools for cutting through atmospheric haze and managing reflections on glass windows. By rotating the filter, you can visibly reduce the haze and increase the color saturation in the sky, making your photos look more vibrant straight out of the camera.
Know before you go: A tip for first-timers
One thing to be aware of is that the Yebisu Garden Place observatory doesn’t have the typical guide maps on the windows to help you identify landmarks. If you aren’t familiar with the Tokyo skyline, consider using a map app on your phone to get your bearings.
Where is Yebisu Garden Place Tower
It’s a short walk from Ebisu Station on the Yamanote Line, one stop from Shibuya. Leave via the East Exit.
Here it is on a Google Map:
Conclusion
While Tokyo’s summer haze and bright sun can be challenging for any photographer, they shouldn’t stop you from getting great shots. By positioning yourself correctly and using techniques like exposure bracketing, you can conquer the conditions. Yebisu Garden Place Tower offers a fantastic and free opportunity to practice these skills and capture the heart of the city.
Photo gear for this shoot
Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
Fujifilm Lenses: XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR & XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
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External related websites
- Yebisu Garden Place Tower (official website)