Discover Ichikawa
12 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
文学の道
A quiet, tree-lined pedestrian canal path with historic houses, writer statues and seasonal planting — ideal for intimate urban-landscape and waterscape shots. Best at cherry-blossom peak and autumn color; golden hour or blue hour gives warm light and reflective canal surfaces. Flat and easily walkable; limited on-site parking so use local trains/parking lots. Respect residents and keep noise low; no entry fees.
Fusehime-Zakura Cherry Blossom Tree
A celebrated solitary cherry (sakura) specimen that bursts into delicate pink in spring — perfect for close-up blossom studies, wide-angle tree portraits, and context shots with local streets/temple elements. Best visited during peak bloom (late March–early April). Sunrise and blue hour give soft, directional light and fewer visitors; weekdays are less crowded. Site is publicly accessible in Ichikawa; limited parking — use nearby train and walk. Respect local customs (no climbing or picking).
Suwada Park Rose Garden
Compact municipal rose garden showcasing hundreds of rose varieties in formal beds, winding paths and seasonal displays — great for close-ups, themed compositions and intimate landscape shots. Best mornings or late afternoons for soft light; late May–June and October are peak bloom. Easily accessible by train/bus from Ichikawa; small parking nearby. No special entry fees typically; be mindful of quiet public-park etiquette and wet paths after rain.
葛飾八幡宮のツツジ
Katsushika Hachiman Shrine azalea garden bursts into color in spring (late April–May). Photograph dense, low azalea shrubs framing shrine gates and stone lanterns, pathways lined with blooms, and intimate close-ups of petals. Best light: morning or late afternoon for soft side-light; overcast day enhances color saturation. Small urban shrine—easy walk from Ichikawa station, limited on-site parking; no entry fee. Respect shrine etiquette (quiet, shoes on steps where indicated). Weekdays are least
蹲の水
A small traditional tsukubai-style water basin (蹲の水) tucked in a quiet corner of Ichikawa — ideal for intimate detail shots: stone textures, moss, water ripples and subtle reflections framed by seasonal foliage. Best at early morning or after rain for saturated colors and no crowds; soft overcast light preserves detail. Easily accessible on foot from nearby streets; likely no entry fee but be respectful of any shrine/garden context. Limited street parking; carry a macro-capable lens and a small,
Engraved Stones of Edo Castle
A compact outdoor display of large engraved stones salvaged from Edo Castle—textured kanji, tool marks and moss make compelling close-up and detail shots as well as compositional foregrounds against nearby trees and urban backdrop. Best visited early morning or late afternoon for soft side-light that brings out carved reliefs; weekday mornings avoid local visitors. Easily reached by train from Ichikawa; small park setting with limited on-street parking, no entry fee. Respect signage and local v敬
Namida-ishi Rock
Namida-ishi (“Tear Rock”) is a sculpted coastal rock formation framed by river/estuary water and mangrove-like banks — ideal for intimate landscape and waterscape shots. Photograph textured rock faces, tidal reflections, and silhouette compositions at golden hour. Easy public access from nearby streets in Ichikawa; no entry fee. Visit at low tide to expose foreground detail; sunrise and sunset offer warm directional light. Weekdays have fewer visitors; limited street parking nearby.
Square for Moon Viewing
A small urban pocket park known for its name and quiet atmosphere — ideal for intimate nightscapes and seasonal street/park details. Photograph moonlit scenes, lamp-lit benches, nearby street geometry and reflections after rain. Best at dusk and night for moon and artificial light; golden hour works for soft urban glow. Easily accessible on foot from local neighborhoods; no entry fee, limited on-street parking—use public transit. Modest crowds; observe local quiet hours and respect residential-
永井荷風文学碑
A modest stone monument honoring writer Nagai Kafu set in a small, tree-lined pocket near Sugano. Shoot the engraved kanji, textured stone and surrounding seasonal foliage — cherry blossoms and autumn leaves add drama. Best at golden hour or soft overcast light; weekday mornings minimize foot traffic. Easily reached from nearby stations; no entry fee and limited street parking. Cultural context: a literary landmark for Taisho/early Showa-era fans, offering intimate, quiet compositions.
行徳神輿(中台製作所)
A richly decorated Shinto mikoshi (portable shrine) crafted by Nakadai workshop, displayed at Ichikawa City Hall. Photograph carved wood, lacquer, metal fittings and ornate textiles up close, or compose the whole shrine against the civic interior. Best on weekdays during daylight when the lobby is quiet; lighting can be mixed (natural + interior). Often moved out for local festivals — ideal if timed with a matsuri for action shots. Public access may be limited to building hours; parking and rest
Saizeriya Foundation Site Memorial Hall
Compact memorial hall on a quiet Ichikawa street — photograph minimalist memorial architecture, interior exhibits and surrounding gardens for intimate documentary frames. Best visited weekday mornings or late afternoons for soft side-light; interiors may have subdued museum lighting so bring a fast lens. Small site with limited parking; check opening hours and any photography restrictions. Cultural sensitivity advised near memorial displays.
さだまさし植樹の木
A single commemorative tree planted by singer Masashi Sada in a quiet Ichikawa neighborhood — an intimate subject for close-up botanical portraits, seasonal studies (spring leaves, autumn color) and neighborhood context shots. Easily accessible from the street with no entry fee; compact site, typical residential parking nearby. Best visited at golden hour or on overcast days for even light; weekdays morning are least busy. Respect local residents and signage.