Heading to Tokyo

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morgan

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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...
 
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.
 
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
 
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. ;-)
 
for the sake of your wallet, avoid Map Camera and Fujiya Camera. Seriously, don't even step in there...
 
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.
 
jonmanjiro said:
Maybe ... "you're outta luck this time round, but do come again" :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

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.
 
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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....
3606470771_9f0d6a491a.jpg
 
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 from my trip if you like.

You will love Japan!
 
Sikario said:
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.
Click to expand...

The temple with the bamboo grove in Kamakura is Hokoku-ji Temple (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).
 
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...
 
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