Pre-wedding photography in Tsukishima does not end in front of the Monja Street sign. There is the vermilion Tsukuda-kobashi bridge, a huge torii gate standing on the bank of the Sumida River, and a brick-lined alley that looks like a scene from a Ghibli film. All of these spots sit within walking distance of the station, and in this shoot we covered every one of them in two hours. This article walks the route we took on a day in September, in order.
What this route covers
- The six Tsukishima locations we actually covered in two hours, in order
- Photogenic spots beyond Monja Street (Tsukuda-kobashi, the great torii, the Sumida River terrace)
- Time, season and budget for a Tsukishima pre-wedding shoot
- A real shoot in the couple’s own dress, and what to wear in this neighbourhood
Where does a Tsukishima shoot begin? Start at the park
We began at a small park just off Monja Street. When the light is filtering softly through the trees, you can take green, leafy photos that make you forget you are in an old downtown district. It was September and still hot, but simply putting greenery in the background makes a photo look cool — one of the conveniences of location shooting.
There is another reason to warm up in a park. Letting the couple get used to the camera before you start walking changes their expressions in every street shot that follows. Sitting on a swing, resting on a bench. Whether or not you spend that time completely changes the photos in the second half of the day.
Tsukuda-kobashi: where to get the one shot that says “Tsukishima”
If you only take one photo in Tsukishima, make it the one with Tsukuda-kobashi in the background. Beyond the vivid vermilion bridge stand rows of high-rise towers — a place where the retro and the contemporary fall into the same frame. The Edo-era boat moorings of Tsukuda and a redevelopment district sitting this close together is a view you will not find anywhere else in Tokyo.
People do cross the bridge, so if you want to avoid crowds, mornings are best. Standing side by side facing the same direction, looking at each other, turning back with a laugh. A bridge gives you a clear anchor for movement, which makes it an easy place to shoot.
Street corners and the colour red — the most ordinary places make the best photos
Away from the bridge, we simply walked the neighbourhood. The red of a post box, the red of a traffic cone. Picking up reds that echo the vermilion of Tsukuda-kobashi gives the whole set a sense of unity on its own.
On this day, the groom leapt over a traffic cone while we were walking. The bride kept looking straight at the camera. The gap between them, caught exactly as it happened, is not something you can plan. That is what makes shooting in the street interesting.
How to use the great torii of Sumiyoshi Shrine and the Sumida River terrace
Deep in the Tsukuda area, a large torii gate stands on the bank of the Sumida River. It is the first torii of Sumiyoshi Shrine, and it lets you frame the river and the gate together — an unusual composition for central Tokyo. It works even without Japanese dress. This shoot was in a white dress the couple brought themselves, and the sheer presence of the gate gave the photo its structure.
Walking down to the Sumida River terrace, you can shoot a toast with the river behind you. The couple brought a green bottle with them for this. Simply sitting by the water makes for a relaxed, unhurried frame. If a boat passes, wave at it. That becomes a photo too.
The brick alley — is this really Tokyo?
There is one more place in Tsukishima that makes people say “wait, this is Tokyo?” — a narrow brick-lined alley. The shot of the couple hugging in front of a green-covered wall turned out to be the quietest frame of the day. Everyone who sees it says it looks like something out of a Ghibli film.
A lively shopping street and a silent, empty alley, five minutes apart on foot. That is the strength of Tsukishima. You can shoot completely different moods in a single session.
Finishing on Monja Street, and the fun of a film camera
We finished, of course, on Monja Street. One shot in front of the sign, and then we handed the couple a film camera and let them photograph each other. Giving one couple one disposable camera — photos whose results you cannot see until they are developed — is a game we recommend. It becomes a memory quite separate from the delivered digital files.
In the evening, Monja Street takes on a completely different face, with paper lanterns and shopfront lights coming on. Placing it at the end of the day gives the sequence of photos a sense of time passing.
How long does a Tsukishima shoot take, and what does it cost?
| Item | This shoot (September 2024) |
|---|---|
| Shooting time | Two hours around Tsukishima Station (all six locations above) |
| Getting around | Entirely on foot. No vehicle needed |
| Outfit | The couple’s own white dress. Hair and make-up included |
| Season | September. Greenery still out, and beautiful evening light |
| Price | Libars location pre-wedding shoots start at 110,000 yen including tax. Varies with number of areas, outfit changes and whether video is included |
You are welcome to bring your own outfit, or wear a dress from our sister brand Dress Curre. For more on Curre dresses, see our Q&A on made-to-order wedding dresses. Full pricing is on the price page.
Our reputation shows in the reviews: 87 reviews on Photorait with an average of 4.9 stars (review page).
If you want to understand this walk-and-shoot style from the beginning, start with our complete guide to street wedding photography.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Besides Monja Street, where can we shoot in Tsukishima?
A. Tsukuda-kobashi, the great torii of Sumiyoshi Shrine, the Sumida River terrace, the brick alley and the local park are all within walking distance of Tsukishima Station. In this shoot we covered six locations in two hours. Being able to capture both the buzz of a shopping street and the quiet of a back alley in one session is what makes Tsukishima special.
Q. Won’t people stare at us on the shopping street?
A. Monja Street is a tourist area, so plenty of people are already taking photos and a shoot does not stand out. If you would rather avoid foot traffic, we can start in the morning or build the route around the quieter Tsukuda side. We can also reorder the route on the day depending on how busy it is.
Q. Can we shoot in our own clothes rather than a wedding dress?
A. Yes. This shoot used a white dress the couple brought themselves, and in a downtown setting everyday clothes often sit more naturally than an elaborate gown. We also offer plans that combine casual wear and a dress with a change partway through.
Q. Do we need shooting permits?
A. Parks, commercial facilities, shops and private land require permission to be confirmed in advance. Once you talk to us about a route, we handle those checks, so there is normally nothing for you to arrange.
