Though I’ve wandered through the grounds of Yushima Seido many times, my first autumn visit in 2021 was a revelation. I found myself in a picturesque scene, with the temple’s black walls providing a dramatic backdrop to the yellow leaves of the ginkgo trees. Overhead, a few wispy clouds drifted across a vast blue sky, creating the perfect conditions for the photographs I had envisioned.
My photographic expedition was blessed with a rare tranquility. The few other visitors that day didn’t linger, granting me the luxury of having this serene space mostly to myself. This solitude allowed for an uninterrupted appreciation of the temple’s unique autumnal charm.
The visual harmony of the black, blue, and yellow was truly captivating. A significant advantage for photographers at Yushima Seido is the ability to frame shots of the main hall with almost no other buildings in view, allowing for clean, impactful compositions.
This Confucian temple, with its somber black facade, offers a different kind of beauty compared to the vermilion of other temples. This unique aesthetic has drawn me here before, once specifically to capture its dramatic shadows in black and white. While I cherish those monochromatic images, the autumn colors offer a completely different, and perhaps more alluring, perspective. The interplay of the dark temple, the golden leaves, and the clear sky creates a visual palette that is hard to resist.
I can already imagine a future photoshoot here, perhaps with a model to add another layer of narrative to the scenery. The creative possibilities feel endless.
Rohan has photographed Tokyo since 2011. He shoots it with his Canon EOS R5. The project will take more than one lifetime to complete.
Rikugien Garden’s Night Light Festival is a magical autumn wonderland. Vibrant hues and ethereal reflections bounce off the tranquil pond and trees. The atmosphere is enchanting. But here’s the catch. It’s one of Tokyo’s most popular events.
This post is from our visit on December 4, 2022. While the beauty of Otaguro Park remains timeless, event details like dates, times, and rules may have changed. For the most current information, please visit our complete guide to the Otaguro Park Autumn Illumination. While I’ve lived in Suginami for
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