Japan is home to some of the most aesthetic photo spots in the world! Here are 5 of the best night spots in Japan for taking photos.
1. Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen, otherwise known as “Silver Line Hot Spring” when translated to English, is one of the most ambient night spots for taking photos in Japan. When the sun goes down the lamp posts light up, creating a relaxing atmosphere that perfectly complements a night of bathing in the soothing onsens.
Additionally, you can enjoy the brilliant oscillating lights of the valley that bring a jolly vibe full of happiness and enthusiasm as though Christmas had come early! Located in the Yamagata prefecture, Ginzan Village welcomes visitors from all over the world to rejoice in the traditional Japanese practice of hot spring bathing.
Just about every building in Ginzan is a ryokan dedicated to providing guests with access to the region’s sulphuric hot springs full of healing properties for the body. An authentic experience like no other, you will never forget the night that you walk around Ginzan clothed in a yukata and wooden sandals as your body brims with a rejuvenated spirit.
2. Fushimi Inari-Taisha
A Kyoto classic, Fushimi Inari-Taisha draws in thousands of tourists on a daily basis, offering some of the most culturally rich photo opportunities in the world. During the day, the famous engraved vermilion torii gates are absolutely packed with visitors from all corners of the world trying to get that perfect postcard shot for the Japan album.
At night, however, Fushimi Inari-Taisha is a different beast. The hustle and bustle atmosphere of the afternoon slowly transitions into a magical evening ambiance. Walking through the Senbon Torii or “Thousand Torii Gates” at night is a goosebump-inducing experience. Each footstep you take echoes through the shrine while your only company is the sound of rustling leaves in the wind (and the occasional cat).
Don’t worry about it being too dark, because Fushimi Inari-Taisha has its walkways lighted up with lamp posts all throughout the torii gates. This not only makes it easy to see where you’re going but also highlights the shrine’s best features so that details such as the engraved characters on the pillars come out clearly in your photos!
3. Sapporo TV Tower
If you’re adventurous enough to journey to Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, you’ll most certainly want to visit its capital city Sapporo. Much like the younger sibling of Shibuya, Sapporo delivers the same high-energy atmosphere and a vibrant nightlife that features bright neon signs and enthusiastic city people.
Just on the outskirts of the main city center of Sapporo is the iconic Sapporo TV Tower, a monument that can only be truly appreciated in the darkness of the night. Gazing upon the brilliant blue and purple lights of the structure, you may be reminded of the Eiffel Tower but with a “Christmas-like” ambiance to it.
The best location to see Sapporo TV Tower is from Odori Park, a long street that extends for 1.5 km and features beautiful gardens and flower beds along its path. In addition to being a fantastic photo spot at night, it’s also one of the coolest hangout areas in Sapporo, offering playgrounds, lit-up fountains, and park benches all along the street.
4. Dotonbori River
Speaking of bright neon signs, it wouldn’t be a complete list without mentioning the unique display of city lights that you can find at Dotonbori River. In the heart of Osaka, this area is known for its party atmosphere with music, lights, and people filling up the streets all through the night. The river beautifully reflects the city lights of Dotonbori to create a wonderful nightlife scenery that looks aesthetically pleasing on camera.
Monuments such as the big Glico Man, Asahi neon sign, and Daruma kushikatsu statue are just a few of the many iconic photo spots that people pose with at Dotonbori River. In addition to photos, many choose to film themselves on the river boat cruise as they pass through the many bright buildings of Osaka’s favorite district.
5. Tokyo Skytree
It wouldn’t be right to end this list without mentioning a photo spot in Tokyo, especially when iconic structures like the Tokyo Skytree exist! Standing tall at 634 meters in the heart of Asakusa, it was once the tallest tower in Japan when it was first constructed in 2010.
Again, Tokyo Skytree is one of those monuments that peaks during the darkness of the night, offering fantastic colors that change to a new one every evening. Accompanied by the Sumida Bridge which lights up in the same color, Tokyo Skytree is best viewed along the Sumida River where the magical lights are reflected off the water to create an unforgettable memory!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!
