How Nissan Crossing Has Changed Over Time
As a petrolhead, I always make a point of visiting Nissan Crossing whenever I’m in Tokyo, even if only for a few hours or half a day. Situated in Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most exclusive districts, Nissan Crossing is an open space in which the car manufacturer displays its concept cars and premium models.
This photo of a Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo was taken in 2018 with a Fuji X-T20 and its kit lens, the wonderful XF 18-55 2,8/4. It embodies the essence of a GT car in terms of design and performance
The following year, 2019, another concept car, the IMs Concept, was offered to the public and was intended as a demonstration of Nissan’s commitment to electric vehicles acting as a ‘technology preview’. I took the photo with a Panasonic TZ-100.
I returned to Japan in 2023, after the pandemic (according to the media) officially ended, and I used a Fuji X-T5 and a Fuji XF 10-24 F/4 to take a photo of a Nissan e.dams Formula E.
I missed the GT-R Premium Edition T-Spec for a few weeks in 2024. It was due to be exhibited on 28 December, but when I was in Tokyo in November, there was nothing memorable to photograph at Nissan Crossing. Hoping for a better luck, I came back last October 2025, where instead I found this red X-Trail flanking the Aura on display with a giant cat on the rooftop. Both photos are taken with an iPhone 14 Pro Max.
I must be honest, I was so disappointed when I saw the Aura with the cat on the rooftop and the X-Trail instead of a concept car that I just took a photo with the smartphone instead of using a proper camera.
As for the photographic side of the matter,the main challenge when taking pictures in a confined space such as Nissan Crossing is finding an interesting angle to avoid monotony.
Sometimes, the presence of people walking around creates interesting layers, as can be seen in the Concept 2020 shot. At the same time, though, they can also ruin the composition, as can be seen in the IM photo. The feet on the right of the e.dams are less intrusive; however, once they are noticed, they distract the viewer’s attention.
When I took the photo of the X-Trail, I had time to arrange the positioning of the mannequin and the car. Luckily, there was nobody interfering with the shot. In fact, there were a lot of people around, but they didn’t seem interested in giving the car a second look. Be that as it may, this is far from being a ‘memorable’ shot.
I hope to be luckier next time.
Post scriptum: I came back a couple of weeks later and… nothing. The cat was still there.
