Explore the electric nighttime atmosphere of Tokyo during this 2.5-hour, small-group evening photography tour. Learn from a professional photographer guide how to use a tripod to capture long exposures of traffic light trails streaming through the city. Wander the neon-tinged streets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Shibuya, learning tips for composition and technique along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for great shots and you’re sure to capture some great images of both the city’s iconic and lesser-known sights. This personalized, small-group excursion, limited to just 6 participants, also offers an optional tripod rental upgrade.

2.5 hour Tokyo photography tour at night
Capture neon signs and illuminated landmarks through a camera lens equipped with manual overrides
Explore the neighborhoods of Shibuya and Shinjuku after dark
Get photography tips and insider knowledge from an expert guide
Learn to use a tripod for long exposure, and opt to include one or bring your own
Small-group tour limited to six people ensures personalized attention

Why Travellers Choose This Tour

Capture bustling neon-lit Shibuya Crossing with long exposure and experience Charlotte's second foray in the 2003 film 'Lost in Translation.'

What's Included

Professional Photography Instructor

Bus fare
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

1-chōme-1-3 Nishishinjuku
1-chōme-1-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, 都 Tokyo 160-8001, Japan
Shinjuku Station West Side

Start time

07:00 pm

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Experience the fascinating nighttime environment of Tokyo during a 2.5-hour, small-group photo adventure with a professional guide. The visual buffet that is Tokyo comes to life when the sun sets, offering photographers a fantastic opportunity to practice their composition and long exposure technique. A professional photographer will guide you and teach you the necessary camera settings and skills along the way.

You will begin in the Shinjuku district, a bustling evening district that surrounds Japan’s busiest railway station. Admire some of Tokyo’s neon lights as your guide offers photo tips and insider knowledge about the area. Set up your tripod for long-exposure shots of the urban traffic, capturing the light trails of passing cars.

After getting your fill of colorful Shinjuku’s traffic and back alleys, you will journey by train to the nearby Shibuya (at your own expense). Train your camera lens on the crowds of people that flock to this Tokyo district of nightlife and youth culture, admiring the glowing signage of the area’s many entertainment, drinking, and dining venues.

Finish your photo trip at the famous Shibuya Crossing, memorialized in the 2003 film "Lost in Translation," as you watch thousands of Japanese people pass though the busy intersection. Head on to the Shibuya station, your camera full of plenty of great images to share with family and friends back home.

Kabukicho District

Kabukicho

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Omoide Yokochō

Memory Lane

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Near public transportation
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travellers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travellers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

I would suggest that Viator allow the operators to post maps/photos of meeting points, otherwise contact Eyexplore to get more detailed directions where to meet.

Reviews

5.0

109 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 109 reviews

Great

Ute_Michael, Mar 2020

Charles was very friendly and profesional. Great Locations and wonderful photos. We would definitly book again.

Night Photography Tour

Aaron C, Dec 2019

Really enjoyed the small group tour, visiting some interesting night scenes in Tokyo. Charles, the guide, offered great feedback and tips for proper camera settings to best capture the scenes. The only issue I had was finding the meeting point and although I arrived 10 minutes early to the Shinjuku Station, I was 10 mins late finding the group as the station is huge and the directions were crystal clear for someone not familiar with the area. I would suggest that Viator allow the operators to post maps/photos of meeting points, otherwise contact Eyexplore to get more detailed directions where to meet.

Best Photography Tour

Lina H, Oct 2019

This tour was really enjoyable. Charles was super nice and very knowledgeable. He made sure to spend time with everyone. We all had superb long exposure photos. Even thought it rained, he had alternate plans. This tour is highly recommended!

A splendid evening for keen photographers

Benjamin_P, Aug 2019

I've enjoyed this photography a lot. Charles showed me some really interesting techniques and gave me great suggestions and professional advice for how to take great shots in a big city during night time. Also was he a great guide on the human side: Funny, talkative, interested in showing his skills and helping me to make my pictures some really great ones. To me this was a definite highlight of my week in Tokyo and everybody whol likes to take photos should definitely consider to participate in one of Eyexplorer's activities and tours. 100% recommended.

Tokyo Night Photography Tour

Jennie_T, Mar 2019

Charles was the very fun, cool, and expert in photography. I got much more expected in this tour and would recommend to anyone who is interested.

Had a great time, learned a lot, and...

Dan J F, Mar 2018

Had a great time, learned a lot, and will go home with some amazing nighttime images of Tokyo--what could be better?!

Lukasz was great. We appreciated the...

Karen B, Feb 2018

Lukasz was great. We appreciated the workshop style approach... demonstration and then practice. Lukasz knew our cameras (a canon and a Fuji) so could quickly give us pointers and tell us how to adjust to conditions. He also made the steps easy enough to execute on our own later. Highly recommended.

Great tour! Guide Luke was wonderful...

Randy P, Feb 2018

Great tour! Guide Luke was wonderful, taking time with each of us --from me the beginner! to the most experienced photographer. Provided us with excellent photo opportunities, instruction, patience, and in the end, great photo memories. Definitely recommend for those who want some special photo shots of their time in Tokyo!

I really enjoyed this. Stefane was...

Carolyn W, Nov 2017

I really enjoyed this. Stefane was patient and very knowledgeable and allowed us the opportunity to learn more about my camera and its capabilities as well as looking for the right shot. Highly recommended and I bought home some great shots!

Lukasz was nice, patient and careful to...

George R, Oct 2017

Lukasz was nice, patient and careful to ensure we all got the shots we wanted. It was VERY helpful that he scoped out positions from which to photograph for us - that saved tons of time for me to find good spots. All in all, it was a very good experience.

This is the best tour to learn more...

Nick C, Oct 2017

This is the best tour to learn more about night photography. Lucas is a professional with knowledge of my camera. I had a lot of fun learning and shooting night photos. As I was the only person, I got to learn more how I can improve my photography skills. The best thing is that Lucas wants you to enjoy yourself and learn a few tricks to improve. Overall an excellent guide, very friendly and a fun tour.

Great locations. Really friendly and...

Charles A, Oct 2017

Great locations. Really friendly and helpful guide. Excellent Images

This tour was my second one with Lucas...

Moonhwan Y, Sept 2017

This tour was my second one with Lucas. He was the amazing teacher. He managed very well time and introduced the best spot. Also, he pointed out the technical problems of mine. Wonderful!!!

We went through the Shinjuku and...

Narciso A, Aug 2017

We went through the Shinjuku and Shibuya areas looking for lines, colorful lights, and other interesting bits to use in our images. The guide, Stephane, was very friendly and accommodating. He shared some ideas on composition and how to make your images stand out. It is a professionally managed tour. The guide will make sure you enjoy yourself and keep you safe during the walk. Good for all skill levels, suggested to bring camera with some measure to control shutter speed or the overall exposure and a tripod.

Seriously cool tour with a guy who...

Larry V, Aug 2017

Seriously cool tour with a guy who changed the way I thought about street and might photography. Well worth the money! I would do it again!

This was a fantastic experience and...

Peter A, Jul 2017

This was a fantastic experience and Lukasz is a fantastic guide! He took us there was one other person with me on the tour around the city and showed us a few really cool and hidden spots. Lukasz made sure that we would stay together at all times, even while walking through huge crowds of people. He was very hands-on showing and explaining composition, taught me a bunch of tricks about my camera I had no idea about and was generally a lot of fun to hang out with. He deeply cares about his participants, making sure we have a good time and bring home some amazing night time photos. This is by no means a tour that requires expert knowledge, so anyone with an interest in photography should feel comfortable joining. No matter your skill level, you'll learn a trick or two along the way. I wish Lukasz would offer this tour all over the world, it was a fantastic way to get to know the city without the hassle of really planning where and when to go. The Night Photography tour was the second tour I took with Eyexplore, I went for the Metropolis tour the next day, see separate review

Absolutely amazing tour. I was...

Frank J, Jun 2017

Absolutely amazing tour. I was expecting a cheesy touristy experience. Instead within the first 5 minutes I realized I had an incredible instructor expanding my knowledge of photography in areas I didn't even know needed improvement. The instructor was patient and detailed on both the technical side and artistic. I can't recommend enough that this is not a cheap tour but a whole photography lesson. Thank you so much guys!

Are you sure we can not give this 6...

Dianna V, Apr 2017

Are you sure we can not give this 6 Stars? By far our two photography tours with Lukasz Palka was exceptional. Take any camera you have with manual settings and he will help you shoot some of the most fantastic pictures in Tokyo that you will ever own. Don't be intimated with others who have huge lens and professional cameras. Just take yours and go! With the small group setting you will get extraordinary pictures of the bright lights, light trails, crowds, alleys. Lukasz was extremely wonderful to work with very patient with everyone that included people who had only used auto settings to being able to improve techniques of the amateur/professional level of hobby level photographers. Fantastic way to have a walking tour and more.

Great tour, even you are a beginner in...

Elisa B, Apr 2017

Great tour, even you are a beginner in photography like me. Our guide Lukasz was very kind, attentive and always ready to help. I highly recommend.

This is a tour to learn more about...

Jennifer G, Apr 2017

This is a tour to learn more about taking quality photographs at night, rather than seeing Tokyo. The evening was well planned with several stops. The guide was knowledgeable about different cameras and was able to help each person set up and take a variety of shots.

Questions?

Product code: 6869TYONIGHT

Explore Similar Things to Do

Terms & Conditions

Tokyo By Night

From US$183.25

Select Date and Travellers

Overview