Tokyo Couples Photographer: A Guide for Travelling Couples
The photographer for you is one who you can be yourselves around and even forget they are there!
Tokyo is a city with contrasts at every corner — lantern-lit alleyways beside gleaming towers, quiet shrines tucked behind neon, soft morning light drifting through wooden gate frames. For couples travelling to Japan, this blend of old and new creates the perfect canvas for meaningful, intimate and exciting photography.
However, if you’re considering a couples photoshoot during your time in Tokyo, the options can feel overwhelming. Where should you go? When should you shoot? What should you wear? And how do you find a photographer who understands not just the city, but the experience you want to remember?
In this scannable guide I aim to bring together everything you need to know — written from my perspective as a photographer who has lived in Tokyo for more than twenty years, and as someone who sees each session as a chance to share their adopted city; a place I have come to love (almost) as much as I love London!
Whether you're commemorating a milestone, celebrating a honeymoon, or simply exploring Tokyo together, here’s how to make your couples photoshoot unforgettable.
Why Tokyo Is a Dream Destination for Couples Photography
Few cities offer such a wide emotional range for storytelling. In a single session, you can move from:
the serenity of a garden filled with koi ponds and stone bridges - both the well know ones and the smaller, quieter gardens in residential areas that are not frequented by tourist hordes
to the energy of Shibuya crossing, or crossings in general! (Shibuya is a place currently undergoing a lot of renovation and construction, and as such, the crossing may have lost some of its charm. There are other alternatives, that I think are just as energizing!)
to quiet pockets of old Tokyo where time seems to slow down, whose quiet streets that seem to have stood still for the last forty, fifty years or more. (There are fewer and fewer of these, but they are still there, in small pockets around the metropolis.)
Tokyo’s beauty isn’t static — it’s seasonal, textural, rhythmic, always shifting. Spring brings soft pastels; autumn turns parks vibrant shades of oranges and reds; winter light is cool and cinematic; summer evenings glow gold.
And unlike other major cities, Tokyo offers rare pockets of privacy even in public spaces — little side streets, hidden neighbourhoods, and quiet morning corners perfect for candid, intimate moments.
A good photographer doesn’t just know where to shoot. They know when to shoot, how crowds move, where the best light falls, and how to weave your story into the landscape.
How to Choose a Couples Photographer in Tokyo
Photography is personal. You’re not just choosing a style - you’re choosing someone to spend time with, wander the city with, and trust with your story.
Here’s what to consider:
1. Look for an Experience, Not Just Photos
Tokyo rewards exploration. The best sessions feel less like posing and more like discovering the city together. Look for a photographer who:
guides you through interesting neighbourhoods
helps you feel comfortable
offers gentle direction without forcing stiff poses
lets you be yourselves
At Ross Harrison Tokyo, sessions are built around experiences rather than rigid time blocks. A good session should feel like the memory of a day, not the memory of a camera. Indeed, I am always as excited to be in the city as my couples are. It’s a big ever changing city, so having a photographer who, while taking you to his well know haunts, is also keen to discover new places, and inject fresh energy into each session.
2. Prioritise Natural, Honest Editing
Some editing styles lean toward heavy retouching and bright, sometimes cartoonishly smooth and almost luminous skin tones. But for many couples, that can feel unnatural.
If you prefer:
warm, cinematic tones
subtle, true-to-life colour
light that has texture and soul
…then make sure your photographer’s portfolio reflects that.
3. Consider Their Local Knowledge
An experienced Tokyo photographer is more than someone with a camera — they’re your guide to the city’s rhythm.
Useful things a photographer should know:
best times to avoid crowds
which parks require permits
how to navigate shrines and temples respectfully
backup routes when weather changes
seasonal bloom forecasts
hidden gems you won’t find on Google
The more a photographer knows beyond photography, the better the experience will be.
4. Find Someone You Connect With
This is key, not just for clients but also the photographer. Look for someone whose personality comes through in their words and images.
Ask yourself:
Do they make me feel at ease?
Do they seem warm and friendly?
Can I be myself around them?
Do their images feel like moments I’d want for yourselves?
The best sessions are those that feel like you have just spent an hour or two exploring Tokyo with a friend — one who happens to have a camera, and one with whom you would like to meet again for a drink or two!
Choosing a photographer you feel at ease around means the moments and laughter will be genuine.
When Is the Best Time for a Photoshoot in Tokyo?
Light in Tokyo shifts like music. It has mood, tempo, texture.
Sunrise is beautiful for:
quiet neighbourhoods
empty temples
soft, pale light
couples who like peace and calm
Golden Hour Before Sunset is beautiful for:
warm cinematic tones
glowing skyline
tree-lined parks
Night Shoots are perfect for:
neon streets
dramatic contrasts
modern, urban storytelling
Midday, is to be avoided if possible, but sometimes it can’t be helped. Just note that, unless shooting indoors or in deep shade, options can be limited. That said, a good photographer won’t be afraid of shooting in the midday sun.
Where Should Couples Shoot in Tokyo? (A Photographer’s Shortlist)
Tokyo is full of incredible locations, but these are a few of my personal favourites (in no particular order, and more information to follow in subsequent blog posts) — places where light, atmosphere, and storytelling come together.
1. Odaiba: Bay Views & Modern Architecture: A personal favourite - evening light here is magical and the city view across the bay unforgettable.
2. Shinjuku Kabukicho: Neon & Urban Textures, perfect for night sessions or modern vibes.
3. Tokyo Station and Yurakucho: wide open spaces and avenues where old and new mix perfectly and where golden hour can be truly golden!
But locations matter far less than how you feel while moving through them. Comfort always wins over aesthetics.
Tokyo station: wide open spaces and, especially in spring, golden sunlight in the late afternoon.
What to Wear for a Tokyo Couples Photoshoot
While fashion is a deeply personal choice, and despite what a lot of social media posts might suggest, there really are no fashion no-nos one can make in Tokyo. That said, to get the most out of your shoot and future enjoyment of the photos, there are a few things you might want to consider:
Colours That Work Best in Tokyo
Neutrals (cream, tan, black, navy)
Pastels in spring
Earth tones in autumn
Avoid bright neon unless you want contrast with city lights
Wear What Lets You Move
Tokyo sessions involve walking — sometimes more than you expect. Choose outfits that feel good when you’re sitting, walking, or leaning in close.
Long flowing skirts, dresses or coats that reflect movement and can catch the wind will bring interest to a photo.
Tip for women: Try to avoid tight fitting short skirts that can limit movement and angles.
Tip for men: try to match the formality or informality of your partner. If your partner opts to wear a smart/casual dress, don’t dress down in baggy sweat pants and T-Shirt. Trust me, you will thank me later!
At the end of the day, you must be comfortable, however, spare a thought for future you - years down the line, will you be happy or embarrassed by your clothing choices on the day of the shoot?
Avoid Heavy Logos or Distracting Prints
Tokyo already has enough visual noise; clothing should support the story, not compete with it. Also, a word of advice from a past gentleman client of mine - avoid clothes with vulgarities printed on them - imagine entering into a shrine or temple with a big “#$%& You” emblazoned on the back?!
Again - don’t put yourself in a position to cause embarrassment to your future self or your partner. (Or the photographer!)
How Long Should a Session Be?
The most common mistake travellers make is booking too short a session. Adversely, you don’t want to book too long a session. You want to book a session that is short enough to leave you wanting more, but long enough to feel that you were fully warmed up and able to give the best of yourself to the experience before you start to feel tired and cranky.
60 minutes: My absolute minimum, enough time to get warmed up and capture a variety of photos at any single location.
Good for:
one location
a simple, sweet shoot
travellers on tight schedules
90–120 minutes: this tends to be the sweet spot for most people, and my recommended starting points for my signature series.
Better for:
multiple locations
more dynamic storytelling
exploring a neighbourhood
honest, natural moments
Experience-led sessions (Tokyo Prelude, Cultural Connection)
Best for couples who want:
more than “pretty photos”
to learn about the city
to have a shared memory
a more relaxed pace
These allow space for candid moments — the real heartbeat of a session.
Read more about my signature sessions here.
Weather, Seasons & Mood
Spring (Sakura): Soft light, pink blossoms — extremely busy. Early mornings recommended. Temperatures can get warm during the day but cold at night.
Summer: Bright, humid, energetic. Best at sunrise or sunset; too hot and humid during the day for most people, and the humidity hangs around through the night.
Autumn: Red maples, golden ginkgo trees — arguably Tokyo’s most beautiful season, but can get busy with foreign and domestic tourists throngs eager to catch the fall colors. And, like spring, can be warm during the day and cold at night.
Winter: Perhaps my favourite time of year, light wise - cold, dry, crisp air, long shadows, incredible clarity. Under-rated and stunning. Just be sure to have gloves or hand warmers!
How to Get the Most Out of Your Session
1. Trust your photographer: Let them worry about the light, angles, and timing. That said, you want to feel comfortable making suggestions and requests - this is your day, after all. I love it when couples get involved in the creative process. It becomes a collaborative/team experience rather than purely transactional.
2. Move, don’t simply pose: The best photos happen between the poses — a laugh, a touch, a glance.
3. Treat the session like a date: Photography becomes effortless when you forget about the camera. Easier said than done, I know - tis coming from someone who preferes to be behind the camera than in front of it. But the best shoots are those when the couple are comfortable enough to be themselves around me. Well, with in reason, of course!
4. Keep your hands warm: Tokyo can get chilly on autumn nights and in winter. Cold hands make it hard to stay relaxed. A par of gloves or hand warmers will be recommended for cold fingered folks!
5. Leave space for spontaneity: This also relates to the length of the shoot, but experience tells me that the unexpected is often where the magic lies.
A Note on Privacy, Respect & Permits
Tokyo’s cultural norms matter. A responsible photographer should help you navigate:
shrine/temple etiquette (and know in where photos are indeed permitted)
general areas where photography is discouraged
when a permit is required - this will be communicated beforehand
how to respect local residents
This last point is of incredible importance to me. You will know doubt have seen social media stories of nuisance travellers causing upset to locals, not just in Japan, but around the world. While I am a foreign resident of Japan, I am also an ambassador for my own country and culture - I encourage my clients to have the same attitude. We want to be part of a solution and promote tourism as good for Japan, rather than a problem for the locals.
If you prefer complete privacy, private gardens and heritage houses are available — and for couples planning a vow renewal or elopement, our sister brand Elope in Japan specialises in intimate, culturally respectful ceremonies across the country.
A Final Word: Why I Photograph Couples in Tokyo
I love the quiet moments between frames, the way two people fall into step with each other, the way the city pulses softly around them. Every session reminds me that Tokyo isn’t just a backdrop — it’s part of each couple’s story. And, as a local, I’d be honoured to be part of that story.
If Tokyo is calling and you’d love a photography experience that feels warm, natural, and true to your story, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to chat, offer location ideas, or help you plan a session that feels uniquely yours.