Tokyo

[gho]

I am playing with the thought of visiting Tokyo for 2 or 3 weeks, mainly for taking photos and meeting with a friend, but have no exact plan yet and many questions.

Where to stay? Optimal would be a small room that I could rent for my time being there for sleeping, cooking and developing film. I do not want to spend a fortune.

Where to buy photo chemicals or should I bring my own ?

How is the attitude towards taking pictures in Japan, anything to be aware of when photographing in the streets? How is the legal situation?

Anything else I should be aware of?

 

[Luna]

I am playing with the thought of visiting Tokyo[...]aware of?

Meeting with a friend? He should be able to answer all these questions provided he has been in Tokyo for a little.

How long is your stay?

I'd just buy the chemicals there.

Japanese people are very conservative. So you could get away with murder in terms of photography.

Legal situation? Do you plan on flashing your subject with your genitals and then taking a portrait of their reaction?

Have fun and good luck being thrifty in Tokyo.

 

[RFluhver]

Welcome, welcome. Tokyo is the photographic centre of the universe. You will have a good time here.

Just go to Sakura House and find a joint for yourself, then eat beef bowls and other Japanese fast food places to keep food costs down. These joints are cheap. Less than 1000 yen for a meal!

As for photography, not to worry. There's a bloke who flashes the people on the streets and he seems to get away with it. And I know of a couple of blokes from Okinawa who do the same thing. Like this shot. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nankurunaisa/5851881059/ (NSFW). Marvelous! Just marvelous.

 

[Colin Corneau]

That doesn't do much to change my view of Japan as having a bit of a pervert problem...I will say Tokyo is a very expensive city.
You'd be well off looking up the latest Lonely Planet book, and leaning on your friend for advice.

 

[gho]

Meeting with a friend? He should be able to answer all these questions provided he has been in Tokyo for a little.

Sure, but I was curious about the opinions here at RFF also.

How long is your stay?

I am planning for 20 days.

Legal situation?

Well, what regulations are in place for taking photographs in public space and what are the conventions?

Have fun and good luck being thrifty in Tokyo.

Thanks.

 

[RFluhver]

That doesn't do much to change my view of Japan as having a bit of a pervert problem...I will say Tokyo is a very expensive city.
You'd be well off looking up the latest Lonely Planet book, and leaning on your friend for advice.

No..no...no. That Tokyo is very expensive is a bit of a part myth. It is perfectly possible to find cheap hotels. And food is also cheap. So long as you don't go around dining in Michelin-starred joints, which Tokyo is famous for, you'll save a fortune. And if you go for drinks, stay off the imported beers. Would you believe that VB is 800 yen? That's like almost $10 for something that costs $2 or $3 in Australia!

 

[gho]

[...]
There's a bloke who flashes the people on the streets and he seems to get away with it. And I know of a couple of blokes from Okinawa who do the same thing.

Thanks for the hints! Um, the photo did not go through my safety filter. I guess I will leave the flash in the bag most of the time as I do not want to offend anyone. But it is hard to say what kind of photographs I am going to take as I really do not know the city and how I am going to react to it. Anyway, that is something that makes it interesting.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I was in Tokyo last fall. My impressions:

Photography is great, and there is a feast for the eyes (and camera) everywhere. I enjoyed the temples, Ueno Park, Happo-en Garden, Ginza, a trip to Kamakura, and every place I went.

I found everything very expensive, relative to other major cities. To manage expenses, take the subway and choose carefully where you stay and eat. Avoid taxis.

Tokyo has the very best used camera stores anywhere. Take a train to Nakano and indulge yourself at Fujiya (notice they have three storefronts within a block for different types of gear). Also many shops in Tokyo, but they are hard to find. And, the high-end shops on Ginza are photo museums. Google to find there.

Pervert problem? None that I saw in a week there.

 

[Sikario]

Have a look at JAPT. Such places are better suited to a month-long stay, and better value too. I saved a lot by staying in my own apartment compared to a hotel, especially considering the location, plus I had access to my own kitchen and laundry facilities.

You will not be photographing alone, in fact you will see plenty of locals taking photographs. I bumped in to lots of people with medium format cameras who were eager to talk to me, young and old.

One visit to Yodabashi or Bic Camera will enlighten you to the photographic heaven that Japanese cities can boast over all others.

 

[Colin Corneau]

tokyocamerastyle.com is one of my favorite blogs...there certainly is a thriving film and photography culture in Japan.

 

[gavinlg]

Tokyo and Japan in general is photographic heaven. It is not frowned upon to engage in street photography at all, and EVERYTHING is interesting. The people are incredibly polite and there are so reservations for photographers.

Also, the camera stores are the best anywhere - buy anything you want from them. If you're in Shinkuku check out the main yodabashi stores - 6 or 7 floors of gear including a couple of levels dedicated to film gear and chemicals. Also, do some research on the net for the used camera shops around shinjuku - they're amazing. Map camera is also good - a level for each camera manufacturer and a high end/german camera showroom in the basement.

 

[gavinlg]

That doesn't do much to change my view of Japan as having a bit of a pervert problem...I will say Tokyo is a very expensive city.
You'd be well off looking up the latest Lonely Planet book, and leaning on your friend for advice.

Completely disagree. Firstly Japan is very safe - Tokyo has a massive population and the murder rate per year is the lowest in the world. Same with crime.

Secondly, Japan, even Tokyo is NOT expensive unless you go out of your way to holiday luxuriously. Best tips are that most of the fast food/cheap cafe style joints actually serve very good food, and it's massively cheap. Also, look for the little pre-made meals in the service stations (lawson/ 7/11 etc). They're usually chicken with rice and a few little vegetables - you buy them, heat them and eat them, and they come in at about $2-3us each. And they're seriously decent food.
Taxis aren't particularly expensive but the public transport network has to be one of the best in the world - so efficient.

 

[Frontman]

If you look in the apartments section of Craigslist Tokyo, you'll see a few listings of places which are available by the night or week. Otherwise, you can look at business hotels. These are generally less expensive than other hotels, and are mre common. Most train stations in the city are surrounded by hotels where people often stay if they miss the last train.

As for food, you can find box lunches and such in convenience stores. These are tasty and inexpensive. There are numerous ramen shops ("ラーメン" in Japanese) which are delicious and cheap. To order, simply point at a picture of what you want and say "kore onegaishimasu" (kohray onay gah ishimoss).

You'll find Burger King, McDonalds, and KFC in Tokyo, but the prices are 40% higher than in America for the same items.

For photography, visit Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Shimbashi, and Meiji Jingu (at Yoyogi park). But you can find interesting subjects in every street, alley, and station. Also try Kabukicho in Shinjuku, there is no shortage of things to photograph there.

 

[maddoc]

Completely disagree. Firstly Japan is very safe - Tokyo has a massive population and the murder rate per year is the lowest in the world. Same with crime.

... For sure, the rate of "public known" crimes is very low compared to the rest of the world but then also the role of the Yakuza as a non-official law-and-order organization has to be taken into account. The Japan as seen and experienced by foreign nationals is rather different than that of Japanese citizens with Japanese roots. 😉

For your trip, get yourself a copy of the Lonely Planet travel-guide as a good starting point. If you plan to only stay in Tokyo then you also don`t need to think about a Japan Rail Pass (only available for foreigners and only obtainable outside of Japan)

 

[Luna]

Sure, but I was curious about the opinions here at RFF also.
I am planning for 20 days.
Well, what regulations are in place for taking photographs in public space and what are the conventions?
Thanks.

RFF opinions. hehe. Sorry, it always makes me laugh.

20 days is a good stay. I thought you wanted to stay for a few months or something because you talked about cooking and developing film.

Regulations? Only two I know of is that you aren't allowed to place lighting equipment on the ground while in the metropolitan area of Tokyo & if you take a photo of someone in public and make it public, the law could come get you provided the photo caused some pain and suffering to the individual (ie: If you take a photo of me and some random girl in public kissing and my wife sees it and I get hit with a divorce, I believe I can take you to court for it.)
Not sure how well or often these are enforced and not sure if they are even really legally backed. There are a few lawyers in Tokyo who complain a lot about copyrights and laws. You could find them and ask them perhaps? haha

 

[smelyrhino]

if you are going to be traveling alone, i'd suggest a youth hostel.
http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/
-yoyogi or sumidagawa. it'll be about 3000-4000yen a day for rent. all you'd get is a small room with a bed, desk, chair. i've stayed at both, and i can tell you they are as simple and as cheap as you'll probably find it. just go out and explore all day, and at the end of the night, all you'll need is a safe place to stay right?

-weekly mansions are pretty expensive, unless you will be traveling with friends and splitting the costs.

-manga-kissa - if you are up to it, manga cafes are the cheapest option. it will be about 2000yen a night. it's usually the discounted rate for only staying the night(usually from 10pm to 8am). all you get is a small little padded room/cubicle with a computer; with all you can read manga, free juice bar, free shower. by morning, you'd have to leave with all your belongings unless you want to pay each additional hour. it'll be tough having to lug all your stuff around though, especially if you plan to go during the summer season.



IMHO, it is probably not advisable to develop your own film, as you are staying for such a short time. probably best to get it developed at a lab or just take it home.
you probably would not need a kitchen for a 3 week stay. enjoy all the awesome cheap eats! enjoy Japan's finest!

21 days is not long enough to fully experience Japan!

 

[gho]

Thank you all for your helpful replies!

 

[Lss]

Eating and moving about in Tokyo is not at all expensive from the European point of view. Walk a block off the biggest street around any metro station and you should find a great meal for a very reasonable price. Or try the lunch box thing.

I hope to go again soon, my stay was way too short.

 

[Bug]

Good for you!

I have been lucky to visit Japan many times for my job. Tokyo is a wonderful city with so many good things to see.
And Japanese Food (with capital F please)...

Lots have been said. Maybe one more piece of advice if you stay inside Tokyo:
You could consider the PASMO-Suica card for the public transports. It does not give you any discount (it actually costs 500 Yens), but it makes the use of transports so simple!
More information http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/index.html but your friend can probably help.
One recommendation: it is easy to loose track of your transport costs though, so pay attention!

Final word: in summer, Japan is hot and humid. Plan many change of clothes or find a laundry facility!

Lucky you! Enjoy your stay as much as you can!

 

[efirmage]

The main things are pack light and allow yourself to explore. I had the most fun when I was on my own wandering around Tokyo with just a camera in hand. Photography can be challenging, as most things can be very congested, as in any major city. Costs can range from extremely cheap to the most expensive in the world, Tokyo is a bit of everything. Spend some time reading up about the districts and their history, this will give you some insight into what to look for while you're there, as well as a rough understanding of the geography. I speak no Japanese and I was able to navigate the subway system just fine. It's excellent.

I'd also explore the surrounding cities, especially Kyoto. Trains run there very often and it's cheap. This is the old city, where you'll see more of ancient Japan instead of new high rises. Some amazing Temples and Gardens there.