Gaienmae Intersection In Tokyo
About the Gaienmae Camera
Gaienmae takes its name from the Meiji Jingu Gaien, the outer gardens of Meiji Shrine, and this fixed camera watches the intersection on its edge. It is an ordinary Tokyo crossing most of the time, which is exactly what makes it a useful barometer for one of the city's busiest event districts.
Within a short walk are Meiji Jingu Stadium, home of the Yakult Swallows, the Chichibunomiya rugby ground, and the Japan National Stadium built for the 2020 Olympics. When any of those has a fixture, the pavements fill with people in team colours heading the same direction.
The other reason to watch is the ginkgo avenue. The Gaien's rows of ginkgo trees turn a vivid yellow in late November, and the approach roads around this intersection become one of the most photographed autumn scenes in Tokyo.
Highlights & Nearby
- •Watch for: crowds before and after fixtures, the ginkgo avenue turning yellow in late November, ordinary rush-hour traffic
- •Nearby: Meiji Jingu Stadium, Japan National Stadium, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the Gaien ginkgo avenue
- •Note: a fixed-angle street camera, not an official venue feed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gaienmae camera live?
Yes. It streams the intersection continuously from a fixed position.
What is nearby?
Meiji Jingu Stadium, the Japan National Stadium, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium and the Meiji Jingu outer gardens are all within walking distance.
When is the ginkgo avenue at its best?
Late November, when the Gaien's ginkgo trees turn bright yellow.
Why does the crowd change so much?
Several major sports venues sit beside this crossing, so fixtures send large numbers of people through it at once.
