One of the many wonderful things about modern technology is that it not only allows us to visit new places from the comfort of our homes, but also to experience familiar places in completely new ways.
For example, I have visited Tokyo numerous times over the three years I have called Japan my home and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what the city is all about: skyscrapers, bright lights, crowds of busy people, corn man. But run all that through high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging, record it in time-lapse, and watch it on YouTube in 1080p and the city sights I know so well take on a completely different, almost otherworldly, appearance.
Check out the video below!
The video was filmed by nyahonyaho46 using a Canon EOS 5D Mk11 DSLR camera. The seven minute video is comprised over over 53,000 individual images.
Time-lapse photography was already amazing enough in itself, but flipping on the HDR switch makes the very real scenery look as if it was digitally rendered. It’s almost enough to inspire me to actually learn how to use that DSLR I bought a year ago and still haven’t used on any setting other than Auto or Macro. Almost.
We’ve shared a few more HDR time-lapse videos of Japan for you photography buffs out there. Enjoy!
Source: YouTube
▼Tokyo HDR Time-Lapse
▼ Odaiba Gundam HDR Time-Lapse
▼ Not Japan, but just as cool: Melbourne HDR Time-Lapse


Stunning time-lapse photography, “Sea of Clouds”, shows off Hong Kong’s natural beauty【Video】
Experience an entire day at Tokyo Disneyland in just 110 seconds of time-lapse video
【Fixed】 Collection of Ingenious Short Skits From the Japanese Program That Brought Us “Matrix Ping Pong” Now on YouTube
Amazing High Quality Color Footage of a Very Different Tokyo Circa 1935
Hamsters Are Watching You
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
This quiet forest cafe in Japan lets you read all day in the house of a famous author
Majority of Japanese mayors say foreign residents are essential but most see good and bad effects
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Kyoto to introduce “empty home tax” for vacation houses and unused homes
Tokyo’s Ueno Station has an unmanned noodle restaurant on its platform, and its no-joke good
Japanese cake becomes a hit with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
McDo…raemon! McDonald’s Japan offering Doraemon Shake and pie for festival season
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Sh*t Japanese Girls Say and Other Hilarious Truths From an American Living in Japan
Japan’s premier beatboxer sets YouTube ablaze, annoys fans with lack of beatboxing
Interactive art exhibit in Tokyo lets you play with koi, walk through endless crystal universe
Happy Monday! Here’s the cutest cat fight you’ll see all day
Japanese police make first-ever YouTuber arrest for uploading video game gameplay videos
Leave a Reply