Colors of My Heart

Spanning from Akiruno City to Hinohara Village in Tokyo, the Akikawa Valley offers convenient access from the city center and is one of the Kanto region’s premier destinations for enjoying dramatic valley scenery and vivid autumn foliage. The leaves typically begin to turn color in early November, reaching their peak from mid- to late November. When framing a shot from behind the guardrails or along the side paths of the Hinohara Highway (Metropolitan Route 33) that runs along the valley, looking upward reveals a stunning contrast: lush pampas grass at your feet, vibrant red and yellow maple branches spreading overhead, and a brilliant blue sky above. At that time, I captured this scene using a Nikon F2 Photomic AS paired with an Ai 24mm F2.8S lens and Kodak Gold 100 film. With today’s digital cameras, I can check my results instantly. Back then, however, shooting on film meant I wasn’t entirely confident in my exposure, and I distinctly remember taking multiple frames just to be sure....

The view of Tokyo Tower from Tokyo Metropolitan Route 303, which passes in front of Toranomon Hills, is one of the most beautiful urban landscapes in central Tokyo. The sight of Tokyo Tower appearing at the end of the road is particularly impressive, creating a harmonious contrast between the modern skyscrapers of the Toranomon district and Tokyo Tower, which has long been cherished as one of the city's most iconic landmarks. While Toranomon Hills continues to develop as a leading international business hub, the area still offers clear views of the historic Tokyo Tower, allowing visitors to experience a unique cityscape where Tokyo’s past and present coexist. As night falls, the tower is illuminated, creating a magical and elegant atmosphere. The contrast between its glowing silhouette and the surrounding high-rise buildings produces a stunning nighttime panorama. This remarkable view symbolizes the distinctive character of Tokyo, where ongoing urban development and rich cultural h...

Held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, the 67th Itabashi Fireworks Festival and the 73rd Todabashi Fireworks Festival are cherished summer traditions jointly hosted on opposite banks of the Arakawa River by Itabashi City, Tokyo, and Toda City, Saitama Prefecture. Together, the two events launched approximately 15,000 fireworks, brilliantly illuminating the night sky and the river's surface. Spectators were captivated by the overwhelming display, which featured giant "Shaku-gosun-dama" (No. 15 shells)—among the largest in Tokyo—artistic creations by Japan’s top pyrotechnicians, and the grand finale, the famous "Niagara Falls" setup. I photographed the event from home using a 200–500mm telephoto lens. Although the windy conditions made telephoto photography somewhat challenging, the wind also quickly swept away the fireworks smoke, allowing me to capture clear, beautiful shots even from a distance. Nikon D850 / AF-S 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR / F5.6 / 1/5s / ISO400 / -2.0 N...

In June, Hibiya Park enters a particularly beautiful season, when it is adorned with a rich variety of flowers under the gentle, soft light characteristic of early summer. The first to catch the eye are the roses, with numerous varieties reaching their peak bloom mainly in the First Flower Garden. Their vibrant colors—red, pink, and white—along with their delightful fragrance, offer great enjoyment to visitors. Hydrangeas, which are indispensable to the rainy season landscape, bloom gracefully along the pathways and in shaded areas. Their blue and purple blossoms become even more vivid when touched by the rain, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of the park. In addition, agapanthus, bearing refreshing bluish-purple flowers atop slender, upright stems, come into full bloom in the latter half of June, adding a cool and elegant touch to the early summer scenery. Furthermore, flowers resembling lilies, such as Hemerocallis (commonly known as daylilies), can also be seen. These are character...