3 Tunnels to Photograph in Tokyo
In a city like Tokyo where the urban planning is very organic and chaotic, with levels of paths connecting passages above and below ground you are bound to walk through countless tunnels during your stay here. With the sprawling mass that is Tokyo almost completely built up to its limit, it is no wonder that Tokyo has a sheer number of tunnels. Most areas of Tokyo were developed unplanned and so it has made Tokyo into a labyrinth of alleys, tunnels, bridges and hidden routes. While most tunnels are mundane and aren’t worth the mention there are some tunnels that just blow your mind. Here are some tunnels that are worth the visit purely for their unique ambience and for photo enthusiasts.
The deadly low tunnel
This tunnel is definitely a sight to see as the height of the tunnel is around 4.9ft or 150cm, making it impossible for men to stand up and walk straight. People with claustrophobia, and especially tall people with claustrophobia, should avoid this tunnel.
The underpass runs below several train tracks and is about 230m long. The underpass is used quite frequently by vehicles and although there is a considerable amount of pedestrian and bicycle traffic, it feels like a space where people should not be in and very badly designed.The tunnel is lit by incandescent lights giving it a moody feel. If you want to experience a bizarre tunnel is place is for you.
We recommend going at night to experience it fully. Although it may be scary walking through it, it is definitely an experience. It is something you can enjoy because Japan is safe, otherwise we would never recommend going to a place like this in any other country!
view reference spot images from Instagram
A dad riding pass the tunnel also having to bow his head down while he rides with his child. A bad architectural design but a potentially good photography spot.
An average height man having to bow his head down while he walks as theres not enough height to stand up straight.
Having the ceiling is so low, the rhythmic placement of the light, and the long tunnel makes it great for a perspective picture or a even portraiture. Place the model near the light so to expose the face and try shooting a picture with the long never-ending tunnel as the background.
A Tunnel used in many Japanese dramas
This tunnel, like the titles says, is a location used as a set in many of Japanese drama. Hence, if you’re lucky visiting here you may encounter a film crew already shooting a scene for television. But usually it is a deserted underpass that is apocalyptic and photogenic. The orange light at one side of the tunnel is unique and sets the mood.
The view and character of the underpass changes drastically when viewed from the two opposite ends of the tunnel. The texture on the walls and the lighting makes the ambience very different. So, we recommend shooting both views of the tunnel, experiment and then choose the best one that goes with your style.
view reference spot images from Instagram
Shooting here, we recommend using a wide angle lens to capture as much of the tunnel and it give it an elongated feel. Above pictures were taken with a 14mm lens and the below picture was taken with a mid-range focal lens.
This tunnel is in center of Tokyo so it is very accessible. The tunnel looks different depending on which side of the tunnel you look from.
The yakitori tunnel
This small tunnel under the train tracks houses a couple of really good yakitori restaurants. It is a short tunnel but the worn out retro posters on the walls give it a nostalgic feel of the 70s and 80s Japan. The tunnel becomes smokey at night when the yakitori restaurants start barbecuing the meat. The barbecue smoke filled in the tunnel creates a mystical space. It is an amazing spot to take pictures especially of people’s silhouettes and blurred out lights through the smoke.
view reference spot images from Instagram
Although, at this particular time of night, there was not a lot of smoke coming out of the restaurants, this spot is famous for the BBQ smoke flowing out of the shops. Making this a smokey mysterious picture.
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