View Full Version : Heading to Tokyo
So I'm heading to Tokyo at the end of July. We'll be there for 10 days, with probably a side trip to Kyoto. It's my first time to Japan, so I'm really excited. There's some great deals right now, so we thought we'd take advantage. We're staying in Shinjuku, which sounds totally wild. Anything we should definitely check out? Anything to avoid?
As always, I'm torn about my camera situation. R-D1 is a given (probably with 30 lenses, 35/1.2, 15mm, and a 50. I'm debating bringing the R2A (although the VF is out of alignment - again), since I imagine there will be tons of film-worthy moments. My wife wants me to bring my canon 30D, but it's just so big with my main zoom (17-55/2.8 IS) so she can use it (and I can carry it). I'm also thinking about buying an LX3/dlux4. Our last few trips I got a little tired of dragging stuff around and thinking so much about it and the LX3 seems like a great p&s. I obviously won't bring all this stuff, but I'm torn on bringing a film camera, especially since the VF has been acting up...
35mmdelux
06-07-2009, 17:17
Just bring the RD/35/1.2 and enjoy the trip. If it busts, you're in Japan man where they have all cameras known to gearheads. Enjoy. (did I say that already?)
Just bring the Canon 30D, you'll want the flexibility of the zoom, especially at the wide end. You will absolutely want something wider than a 35mm lens on a crop sensor camera and you will not be wanting to be fumbling around changing lenses. And get an LX3 before you go, it will be more expensive in Japan. Shinjuku has lots of narrow streets. the 24mm lens (equivalent) of the LX3 will come in handy.
There, now you have a completely oppostite opinion.
Don't miss Shibuya on a Saturday night.
jonmanjiro
06-07-2009, 18:29
Shinjuku is a great base. Around 8 or so excellent used camera stores within 5min walk from the station, and the film section at Yodobashi Camera on the west side of the station is a sight to behold! Also, take a look at this thread - Tokyo Notes (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71018)
I love going to Japan and absolutely must go to Tokyo at least twice a year. Japan is a country made for 4x5 photography. I was there a few weeks ago and the strong Yen made camera buying inprobable. I spent my money on sashimi and then taking my friends out for more sashimi and lastly had more sashimi. For bargains you must go to Fujiya Camera near the Nakano train station. I saw a mint 35/2 black paint Hexanon as well as a limited 28/3.5 Minolta-G there for half what they normally went for. I was tempted but didn't need them and also overcame the moment of greed to buy and resell and decided to let other people buy and enjoy them. I ended up with a Minolta Autocord for 9900 Yen. Definitely buy a guide book as the Tokyo suburbs have a lot to offer.
Some random thoughts:
It will rain at least 1/3 days, so be ready to protect your gear.
Don't worry about theft. At all.
All inside shots will be in cramped quarters, so a fast wide is useful.
The downsides are humid heat and mosquitos, but you can prep for that.
If you like music gear, check out Ochanomizu.
Look into JR rail passes - a great deal.
From Kyoto station, just outside, you can get all-day buss passes for $5. It's a deal. East Kyoto has the sites, but west has the nature. Kiyomizudera is a must on the East side, but I love the bamboo forest in Arashiyama on the West.
I always suggest allotting a few days for Kyoto. Tokyo is a big city. Kyoto is traditional Japan.
Have fun and feel free to hit me up if you get lost. ;-)
dufffader
06-07-2009, 21:37
for the sake of your wallet, avoid Map Camera and Fujiya Camera. Seriously, don't even step in there...
If you've never been....
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/entertainment/festivals.html
kansaiscene.com has stuff to see and do for western Japan (including Kyoto).
Truly, it is camera - and particularly rangefinder - heaven. I always enjoyed photography, but only in Japan did I get オタク about it. 8-)
I feel most at home when I take photos in Japan. I love both Tokyo and Kyoto. Have fun!
jonmanjiro
06-08-2009, 02:01
残念でした又どうぞ
BTW what the heck does this mean, flip? :p
jonmanjiro
06-08-2009, 02:08
Maybe ... "you're outta luck this time round, but do come again" :rolleyes:
One time this guy showed me a gold and red plaque with some Chinese characters on it and asked me if it contains some sage advice. He has had it up on his wall for nearly 10 years he said. I didn't know how to tell him that it was a sign for the men's room.
Maybe ... "you're outta luck this time round, but do come again" :rolleyes:
I think that's a pretty good translation. :p It's something I heard from Kami-sama (God) on the cartoon Oden-kun. Coming to Japan, you really just need these two: 男 (man) and 女 (woman). Bonus points for お好み焼き (okonomiyaki) - it's Western Japan's gift to your stomach.
Thanks for the great tips so far! I'm already working on my basic needs kanji characters (like man and woman). We're thinking we're probably going to spend one night in Kyoto, It sounds it's probably not enough. We love big cities, but from what I've read about Kyoto so far, it needs more than a day. The bamboo forest looks so beautiful.
Flip - I might take you up on that! And I'm a guitar player, so I'll definitely be hitting some music gear shops as well. And it sounds like Fujiya is a must :-)
One more thing... I'm always using my portable manfroto tripod here. There's so many 'light-up' events at night and you don't want to miss the chance to get some long exposures. This kind of stuff is all over Kyoto.... http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3606470771_9f0d6a491a.jpg?v=0
I spent April in Japan, I stayed in both Tokyo and Kyoto, if you are unable to make the bamboo forest in Kyoto there is a nice bamboo grove in Kamakura just south of Tokyo, the small coastal city is worth a visit for its temples and shrines alone.
Nikko is also a good side trip, I travelled there on a misty day and it was beautifully eerie.
In Tokyo I stayed in Yoyogi which is next-door to Shinjuku, the area is electric, quite literally. You won't get tired of wondering through the streets after the sun has set. The vast number of shops, restaurants and food-halls will overwhelm you! It's a good base for exploring the city being on the Yamate line (JR Circle line). It's not such a great idea travelling on this or any other line in the rush-hour though... as I found out early on.
Unless you have a tour booked for the Imperial Palace I would probably avoid going there as you will not see much. The inner gardens are not open to the general public.
Make sure you do not miss Asakusa, it's not far from Ueno park, which in turn is right next to Yanaka. This will give you a taste of old-Tokyo. Akihabara and Shibuya are best visited when the neon lights dazzle at dusk.
I travelled light, you absolutely do not want to weigh yourself down with gear, certainly not in the July heat in a bustling city with millions of busy people and no benches to sit on and rest! I carried my Rolleiflex 3.5F and a few rolls of film, and occasionally I would take my 20D and a single lens.
If you will be doing a lot of travelling on the metro then I would advise getting a Suica card, it's a top-up card for use on all lines in Tokyo and takes away the hassle of having to buy individual tickets. It's also part of a great discount deal with the Narita Express for when you arrive.
You can view the photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sikario/sets/72157616218280416/) from my trip if you like.
You will love Japan!
jonmanjiro
06-10-2009, 05:45
I spent April in Japan, I stayed in both Tokyo and Kyoto, if you are unable to make the bamboo forest in Kyoto there is a nice bamboo grove in Kamakura just south of Tokyo, the small coastal city is worth a visit for its temples and shrines alone.
The temple with the bamboo grove in Kamakura is Hokoku-ji Temple (http://guide.city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/eng/stroll/scene/hokokuji.htm) (報国時). One of my favourite places in Kamakura for sure!
Thanks everyone! We really really want to get to Kyoto for at least a day. We've already paid for our nights in Tokyo, but I'm trying to convince my wife it's ok to double for a night to get an extra day in kyoto. But in any case, I think a day trip is a done deal. There's a park where you can feed monkeys apparently, and she's really into that idea. Asakusa and Kamakura sound great as well and are on the list.
In terms of cameras, I'll definitely be going light. I'm still debating buying an LX3, but I think the R-D1 and a few lenses will come (15, 35 1.2/ 50 1.5 most likely). 30D is staying home. My wife dropped her p&s in the ocean a few weeks ago and needs something, which really dents the budget. If the oly e-p1 is out before we go, I may grab that for her (with the idea that I'll poach it quite often).
snausages
06-19-2009, 10:24
Definitely stay the night (at least) in Kyoto. And when you're there, rent bicycles. Bring extra cash to Kyoto because it's hard to find ATM's there that accept American cards.
Take advantage of jet lag waking you up at 4am and go to the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo the morning after you arrive and eat sushi at Sushi Daiwa.
Try any bar or restaurant that looks good, because it probably is.
Japan's the best...
I
You can view the photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sikario/sets/72157616218280416/) from my trip if you like.
You will love Japan!
Thanks for sharing your shots. There is some amazing stuff in there.
I can't add much to the above posts.I shot a lot of digital in Tokyo and made a little iPhoto book with them and I was very pleased with the quality. I shot film as well but have not done the required scanning yet.
Kyoto is very beautiful with many wonderful Zen gardens and is worth aa trip for a week or so in itself.
Enjoy Tokyo: it is where I am most at home as a photographer.
I like that 'take advantage of jetlag' comment. Sooooo true. Especially now, and particularly in Kyoto. If you start early, you can get in some Kyoto sites before they start to close-up around 4-6 (barring light-ups), and you can avoid the heat to some extent. FWIW/ I think the rainy season officially started with the clouds that rolled-in today. Expect 2/3 rain (for me that translates to an occasional Lawson bag over my Domke Doraemon bag. :-P)
dufffader
06-20-2009, 05:23
flip, what domke doraemon bag? that, I'd like to see!!!
flip, what domke doraemon bag? that, I'd like to see!!!
heheh. I don't mean to tease. It's just a plain beige Chinese clone, but I fit so much stuff in it for all occasions that more than one GF has commented that it was my "Doraemon's sack." Let's see, today I have....
tea, naturally,
keitai charger
mp3 player
pen fv
vcii meter
hand towel
mints
batteries
and it's only 1/4 full. ;-) I often also carry:
tripod
extra lenses / bodies
shirt
bento
teaching materials
book
and if the situation requires, several diminutive helpers to do my bidding.:D
Sounds like a pretty amazing bag flip!!!
I hadn't really thought about the rainy season/bag issue. Ugh, another thing to consider. How long does the rainy season last in tokyo?
It'll go for the next month. When the wind kicks up you know it's going to rain. But you can get $1 umbrellas anywhere. I'm less concerned about rain getting to my gear quickly than about waiting for a bag to dry in 90% humidity.
Jeez. I wonder if I can buy clothes made of sponges! Being from philadelphia I'm somewhat used to high humidity in the summer (not that I like it). I hope it's not awful though. Maybe we'll get lucky and it will be best first week of august ever! :-)
Sometimes you just have to bear the unbearable, I'd be willing to bet you a diet happoshu, that it will be at least very hot, and though the rainy season is supposed to be over in July it will probably be raining too. If you are not too much over US "m" size you can buy some "dry" t-shirts at Uniqlo. They are relatively comfortable and very cheap. You'll probably want to carry some sort of small towel with some character mascot printed on it to wipe the sweat off yourself from time to time.
jonmanjiro
06-25-2009, 14:38
Here's the stats for August 2008 in Tokyo (link (http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/daily_s1.php?prec_no=44&prec_ch=%93%8C%8B%9E%93s&block_no=47662&block_ch=%93%8C%8B%9E&year=2008&month=8&day=&elm=daily&view=)). Over 30C pretty much every day!
14 years here and I still don't have a clue how they figure that the rainy season has started or ended. It seems to rain just as much before and after, so I can never tell the difference...
An earlier post mentioned that ATM's was in short supply. My last trip to Kobe Okayama area I was able to use my American debt card at the post office cash machine to get Yen. Post offices are everywhere.
Cheers!
Gary
By the way, I'm not trying to be doom n' gloom about the climate. You'll be fine. i just recommend planning ahead. If it helps, the best way to beat the heat is to drink lots of fluids and keep your vitamin B up (eat eel).
I want in on the rainy-season bet. It's starting late and slow this year. Still, coastal areas like Kamakura, Yokohama, and Kobe should be comfortable a lot of the time.
historicist
06-25-2009, 16:36
Kyoto is a bit far from Tokyo to go for just one day, I'd stay overnight at least. btw, it's very hot and humid here (I'm in Kyoto) at least for someone who's more used to the damp of the UK, but not unbearable.
The LX3 is a fine p&s and I used it a lot in Tokyo. I also used a D8o for a bit of reach with its longer lenses. I walked a lot with either or both cameras.
Have a great time. As one aquaintance said when we told him we'd been in Tokyo:"Tokyo rocks." It sure does.
I would recommend to buy some silica-gel and a large zip-lock bag (e.g. at Yodobashi Camera) to dry your equipment over-night. 90% humidity + high temperatures are ideal growth conditions for fungus and mold. Also avoid any leather bags, half cases etc. around this season.
jonmanjiro
06-25-2009, 17:20
coastal areas like Kamakura, Yokohama, and Kobe should be comfortable a lot of the time.
Depends on your definition of comfortable :rolleyes:
Kamakura is probably marginally cooler than Yokohama. But Yokohama is a concrete jungle just like Tokyo. Best bet to escape the heat is head inland toward the mountains. Okutama is always a nice getaway.
Depends on your definition of comfortable :rolleyes:
Kamakura is probably marginally cooler than Yokohama. But Yokohama is a concrete jungle just like Tokyo. Best bet to escape the heat is head inland toward the mountains. Okutama is always a nice getaway.
Jon, come over to Sapporo next month. Hokkaido has much better climate in summer, max temperatures of 30 degrees, not humid and the Odori Beer festival will start !! :D
jonmanjiro
06-25-2009, 17:46
Jon, come over to Sapporo next month. Hokkaido has much better climate in summer, max temperatures of 30 degrees, not humid and the Odori Beer festival will start !! :D
Hehe, sounds like a plan Gabor. If I had my way I would move to Sapporo permanently! We even have an office there.
Hehe, sounds like a plan Gabor. If I had my way I would move to Sapporo permanently! We even have an office there.
Jon, didn't your boss suggest a business trip to Sapporo this summer ? :cool::D;)
urban_alchemist
06-25-2009, 19:09
Advice? Eat. Eat. Eat. Then eat some more.
There is nowhere in the world with food as consistently awe-inspiring as Japan. Just one of its many many attractions. God i love it (three months till I'm back!)
jonmanjiro
06-25-2009, 19:29
Jon, didn't your boss suggest a business trip to Sapporo this summer ? :cool::D;)
Ya know, I think he did ;)
I think he also mentioned something about taking two or three weeks off in August to escape to the southern hemisphere, Sydney in particular :D
tritiated
06-25-2009, 20:58
I totally recommend the Japan Rail Pass (order before you go), it makes life so easy hopping on and off trains whenever you like.
Just look for the manned barrier and flash the pass! Also it would cover Shinkansen rides (except the Nozomi) - Kyoto return tickets bought separately might be half the price of the JR pass if I remember correctly. You have to use it to reserve seats in this case, but again dead easy.
In Tokyo the Yamanote line is excellent, you can see all the main districts with ease on this line. It's a piece of cake getting around with the JR pass, and in 10 days you can cover lots of ground.
Take lots of cash, it's hit and miss with cards. Most people don't worry about carrying a fair wad.
You could pick up a P+S there if you really want.
Damn I wish I was going..
I totally recommend the Japan Rail Pass (order before you go), it makes life so easy hopping on and off trains whenever you like.
You could pick up a P+S there if you really want.
I foolishly bought a canon DSLR before coming. You can get better stuff out of vending machines here. J/K :p I always recommend that JR rail pass, although its utility varies depending on the city. Not so great for Kyoto IMHO. Another option to consider if time is more an issue than money, is to check the Skymark prices from Tokyo to Osaka or Kobe. Should be under US$100 and save several hours of travel time.
Re: Yokohama - I suppose it was pretty hot. I get spoiled by the mountains and sea being within minutes either way. When I told folks in Himeji I was moving here, every one of them said the same thing: 神戸いいな〜 :rolleyes:
urban_alchemist
06-26-2009, 05:32
You could pick up a P+S there if you really want.
... which would be an excuse to visit Bic Camera in Ginza - a total head-f£$k if ever there was one (in a wonderful way). Make sure to visit the home-rodeos on the second floor, and good luck getting the jingle out of your head for a month afterwards :D:D:D
"Biiiiiiiici Bici Bici Bic Cam-e-ra!"
Superdan138
06-26-2009, 05:45
All these responses are great....I went last October and I was only there for about 6 days. I REALLY REALLY wanted to go to Kyoto and was going to do it....but everyone told me DONT go there unless you can spend 2 full days and 1 night there. They said you wont be able to really enjoy everything in 2/3 of a day, since the train there and back is at least 2 hours each way.....so I did the Nikko trip and that was really really cool.....they have this red bridge which is awesome (see below) and many other nice things to photograph. I stayed very close to Shibuya and the camera shops were great. Have a wonderful time and be sure to do some B&W stuff on the Tokyo Tower.......These pics were taken with my Leica M6 and Summi 35mm lens...
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Superdan138/Misc/Tokyo1.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Superdan138/Misc/Tokyo2.jpg
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb42/Superdan138/Misc/DSC07357.jpg
got my M7 and 35mm pre asph lux here. great service and more importantly they speak decent english
http://www.lemonsha.com/english/
I'm actually excited to do some clothes shopping japan. I'm shorter/smaller and US mens stuff is generally enormous. I've been to the uniqlo shop in NYC and l like their stuff.
I'm less concerned about the heat and more the rain, which can be a drag. But hey, this is when we can go so we're gonna go and make the best of it. I'm totally psyched for the trip. Also, a friend of ours who's living in Seoul right now is going to come met us, which will be fun as well. I'm trying to get my wife do a night in Kyoto, but since we already paid for Tokyo she's reluctant to sort of double up. She said she'd rather come back and spend the whole time in Kyoto. Working on her though.
Cameras - good advice about sealed bags and silica gel. And the non-leather bag thing (which my main "bag" is right now, just a leather messenger). I think I should find something else more protective. But I live in Boston now and we haven't seen the sun in like two weeks, I'm used to umbrellas and hoods.
urban_alchemist
06-26-2009, 19:53
I'm actually excited to do some clothes shopping japan. I'm shorter/smaller and US mens stuff is generally enormous. I've been to the uniqlo shop in NYC and l like their stuff.
Don't get your hopes up. I'm an S/XS in most Euro-US stores, yet in Japan I'm huge. My girlfriend (a size 8 UK) turns every T-shirt into a skin-tight dress. Clothes-shopping in Japan for a non-Asian is a very depressing experience... (but if you do go - head to IOIO - "Marui" - in Shibuya: very cool selection of clothes)...
historicist
06-26-2009, 21:17
Yeah it's true about clothes - my ex got me a couple of cardigans in uniqlo a few years back. Size XL and they're still tight, even though I'm about as skinny as Europeans come.
Hey everyone,
I'm back from my trip and just wanted to say thanks for the tips. Tokyo was incredible, unlike any place I've ever been and we had a great time. It was super hot and humid (my j-8 fogged incessantly), but we such a wonderful time and experience. We ended up not going to Kyoto (we did go to Kamakura), but are saving that for a separate trip perhaps next year.
I thought I did ok photo-wise. I shot a lot with the cv 15mm on the R-D1 (using the 15mm viewfinder, which was tough) and the rest with the cv 35 1.2. I didn't put any up on RFF yet, but here's a slideshow I made for my friends if anybody's interested. I shot about 600, whittled it down to 250 or so.
http://www.shuttertothinkphotography.com/morgan_tokyo_slideshow/tokyo_morgan/
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