Public Photography in Japan: Laws, Rules, and Etiquette

After more than two years of isolation, Japan is on the cusp of reopening, albeit ever so slightly, to international tourists. This means, barring any COVID-19 flareups, it’s only a matter of time before shutterbugs from around the world once again descend upon Japan, a paradise for photography lovers.

However, before you dust off your DSLR camera and favorite fixed-focus lens, be aware that the written and unwritten rules of public photography in Japan may be stricter than what you’re used to back home. Although I’m something of a photographer myself, I wouldn’t stake my entire livelihood on the craft. So, I reached out to Tia Haygood, a Tokyo-based professional photographer and Kokoro Media alum, to help set the record straight.

A Matter of Privacy

Tia Haygood of TOPTIA Photography is an established and certified Tokyo portrait photographer.

Let’s start with the good news. Photography in most public places is legal in Japan. However, conflict can occur when it comes to Japan’s privacy laws and cultural norms that value high levels of privacy.

“It isn’t a criminal offense to photograph people’s faces in public, but it can be a civil offense if the person who has been photographed finds…