Photosynthetic parameters and leaf characteristics were investigated for different canopy positions in current year and 1-year-old shoots of Cryptomeria japonica in October. We sampled shoots from 4 layers in the canopy and measured the projected area and dry mass of shoots and needles. Maximum carboxylation rate (V_cmax) and maximum electron transport rate (J_max) decreased significantly with increasing depth from the top of canopy in current year needles. V_cmax and J_max in 1-year-old needles were lower than those in current year needles, and showed no marked change among canopy positions. Needle mass per unit projected needle area (NMA) decreased with increasing the canopy depth from the top in both ages. NMA of 1-year-old needles was higher than current year needles. We found the significant relationships between photosynthetic parameters and canopy openness, and leaf characteristics, such as NMA, in current year needles. Our results indicated that canopy position obviously affected on photosynthetic parameters in current year needles while the effect in 1-year-old needles was unclear.