Things to keep in mind when doing serious photography in Japan. Make sure to check beforehand!

" Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas, provided by Lovegraph Co., Ltd, one of Japan's largest on-location photography session businesses. Capture My Japan photographers will handle even the difficult application for photography permission in Japanese.

If you use the coupon code "MCM-19273" when applying, you can get a 5% discount and experience a professional photo shoot!

Learn more about Capture My Japan

Please take a look at the following article for more information about shooting with "Capture My Japan".

• Table of Contents
• Checking for permission to film
• Checking the photography equipment
• Here are some points to note for each scene:
• Leave the complicated filming permit application process to CMJ

Checking for permission to film

In Japan, if you are doing commercial photography or photography where you will be wearing a dress or other costume, you must check in advance whether it is okay to take photos at the location.

You may need to apply for permission to film

If you are taking photos for personal memories, there is no problem, but for large-scale shoots such as wedding photography, in many locations you will need to apply for permission to film in advance.

In addition, for commercial photography, where money is exchanged between photographers and other parties, advance application is almost always required, even if the photography is not large-scale. Permission is also required for commercial photography in most cases, including commercial facilities and other private land, and public land other than roads, such as parks and government offices.

In some cases, you may be required to pay a filming application fee. If you are thinking of filming in a location that meets the above criteria, it is a good idea to check in advance with the owner or manager of the land.

There are some places where photography is completely prohibited.

In fact, there are some places where photography is completely prohibited.

To name a few, Meiji Shrine in Tokyo and Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, which are visited by many people from both Japan and abroad, prohibit commercial purposes, on-location photography session by professional photographers, and photography while wearing wedding dresses.

If you are thinking of doing a commercial shoot or a large-scale shoot such as wearing a dress, be sure to check the official website in advance, and if you are unsure, be sure to check with the shooting location.

Checking the photography equipment

In addition to applying for permission to film, you should also check regarding the equipment.

There are also places where the use of tripods, monopods, strobes, etc. is prohibited.

Even if photography is permitted, there are some places where the use of tripods, monopods, and flashes is prohibited.

Even at observation decks, where many people want to use a tripod to take pictures of the night view, there are many places where the use of tripods is prohibited. It is also well-known that the use of tripods and monopods is prohibited at Disney Resorts.

There are also places where the use of flashes is prohibited, and there are rules that vary from place to place, so be careful about bringing camera equipment.

Here are some points to note for each scene:

In commercial shoots where money is exchanged, or when shooting in costumes such as dresses, it is often mandatory to apply in advance to the shooting location. In addition to the application, there are also things to be aware of when shooting, so we will introduce some of the most common locations.

Temples and shrines

Photo by Haru Momooka

Places where you need to be especially careful when taking photos are temples and shrines. As sacred places and often buildings of historical value, temples and shrines often have set rules about taking photos, such as a total ban on photography or accepting photography requests under certain conditions.

If you are considering commercial photography or photography in costumes such as dresses, make sure to check in advance whether photography is possible. This is usually written on the official website, but if you are unsure, it is best to check directly by phone or email.

Even if you are permitted to take photographs, please be careful not to damage the Buddha statues or historical sites when taking photos.

In addition, worshippers have priority at temples and shrines. Please refrain from any actions that may be a nuisance to worshippers, such as blocking the aisles while taking photos. Do not get too absorbed in taking photos, but make sure to check your surroundings carefully while taking photos.

In town, parks, and commercial facilities

Photo by Ryohei

In most cases, you will need to apply in advance to take photographs on public land other than roads, such as commercial facilities, private land, and parks. In some cases, you may be required to pay an application fee.

As with temples, shrines, and Buddhist temples, be sure to check in advance with the authority in charge of the location to see if photography is permitted.

Also, in these crowded places, you need to be considerate of other people's privacy and portrait rights. Don't forget to take care not to include people other than the subject in the photo. Of course, do not take photos of other people and use them without permission.

Nature and Animals

Photo by Keiko

Even when photographing nature or animals, you may need to obtain permission to shoot for commercial purposes. Be sure to check in advance.

When taking photos, please be mindful of environmental protection. Never step into any off-limit areas, and take all your trash with you. Do not harm animals. It is also important to maintain a certain distance from wild animals and not get too close just to take a good photo.

Railway photography

Photo by Keiko

Some people take photos of trains on the platform at stations, but leaning over to take photos is extremely dangerous, so please refrain from doing so. Some stations prohibit photography, and in those cases there will usually be a sign to that effect, so be sure to check beforehand.

Even if you are taking photos outdoors, please do not step on the tracks or on railroad crossings. Stepping on the tracks to take photos without permission is a violation of the law and is subject to punishment.

Leave the complicated filming permit application process to CMJ

Leave your photography in Japan to " Capture My Japan "! Of course, all of the photography applications explained so far are in Japanese... For those who don't speak Japanese, the photography permission applications can be very difficult, but our photographers at Capture My Japan will handle them on your behalf.

Photographers who can speak English, Chinese, Korean, etc. will communicate closely with you while taking photos, so even those who are not confident in Japanese will be fine. There are photographers all over Japan, so you will be able to find a photographer who meets your needs.

The rate for "Capture My Japan" starts from 49,500 yen per hour (including 50 edited photos). Currently, if you enter coupon code " MCM-19273 " when applying, you can get a 5% discount on your photo shoot experience. If you're considering using Capture My Japan, be sure to take advantage of this offer!

Official website: https://capturemy.jp/

Photographer: https://lovegraph.notion.site/Photographers-2e00aa4468c0438dafe5ce576dd39be7

Learn more about Capture My Japan