National Showa Memorial Park

Capturing the expanse of the four seasons with tulips and rows of gingko trees in Showa Kinen Park

National Showa Memorial Park is one of the best places in Tokyo to take pictures and enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons, especially in spring, late summer, and fall, when the scenery is unmissable. In spring, the park is filled with colorful tulip fields, with red, yellow, and pink flowers creating a picturesque scene. Cherry blossoms blooming throughout the park are also a highlight, allowing visitors to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of soft spring light while taking pictures. At the end of summer, the lemon-bright cosmos, with its fresh yellow color, blooms, reminding us of the transition from late summer to early autumn. And in autumn, the rows of gingko trees turn golden, and the neatly lined avenues are as beautiful as an autumn tunnel. In addition, maple trees in the Japanese garden turn brilliant red, creating a serene Japanese atmosphere for photographing the deepening of the season. Showa Kinen Park has a different look each season, so be sure to try capturing the unique scenery of the season with your camera.

Key points for photography

The key to taking photographs is to clearly define the main subject for each season and to be aware of compositions that take advantage of the expansiveness of the scene. For spring tulip fields, capturing the expanse of the flower field from a low vantage point will highlight the overlapping colors. For cherry blossoms, adding a row of trees or grass to create depth will give a sense of openness to the photo. For lemon-bright cosmos at the end of summer, choose forward light or soft backlight to show the yellow of the flowers to create a fresh impression. Gingko trees in autumn are beautiful when you stand in the center of a tree-lined avenue and are conscious of symmetry. Autumn leaves in a Japanese garden have a more Japanese atmosphere when you choose a calm background. In either season, by being aware of the morning or evening light and arranging the background by changing your standing position slightly, you can capture a shot with a sense of scale and seasonality that is typical of Showa Kinen Park.

Best viewing and photography timing

Best Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Access & Basic Information (Check Before Shooting)

The day I visited this place in the past