one day in Tokyo, two days in HK - tips please

[Steveh]

Hi all - I'm going on a 10 day work trip to Asia in a few weeks time and I'm going to have one free day in Tokyo (a Sunday) and a full weekend in Hong Kong. Obviously photography is right at the top of my agenda for those free days, so can people give me some tips on places to go?

I've never been to Tokyo before but somewhere I can do some street style shooting, with interesting people who don't mind being photographed, would be ideal. And are there any real "must see" tourist sights I can cover in a day? I'm staying in Nihonbashi. I'll also probably have a couple of evenings when I'm not going out with colleagues so some tips for interesting (but safe) bars/restaurants local to where I am would be great.

I've been to HK a while ago and done most of the basic tourist sights, so it might be more of a "wandering around photographing what looks interesting" weekend. Again, any particular tips?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steveh]

Perhaps posting this when everyone in Asia was fast asleep wasn't the smartest idea.....

Anyone?

 

[nongfuspring]

I don't know much about Tokyo, but I lived in HK for a while. My recommendation to anyone who is into photography is probably to go to Sam Shui Po, it has quite a few 2nd hand camera sellers, though most of the gear is usually a bit dodgy and sellers often seem to be out primarily for social reasons than to make money. Occasionally you can find a bargain. The place is like a giant garage sale with and underground red light district, and one of the more "authentic" and undeveloped parts of HK.

Probably one of the most interesting walking areas is the mid levels, there are a few photography galleries there and a general mix of old and new HK, plus some decent food.

If you get sick of HK island and Kowloon then there are also the surrounding islands (e.g. Lama) and the fishing village Tai O, which is sort of a ramshackle village on stilts mostly populated by eccentric elderly.

There's the general Mong Kok area which is always worth a wander also, even if you've been before you'll probably find it nearly completely different from your last trip.

There'a also a temple for complaints somewhere in Kowloon I think, it's quite hilarious. You'll find people basically complaining out loud (and/or simply insulting) on the street about spouses, bosses, colleagues, the economy etc. etc. to various deities. I forget where it is, but should be googleable.

I'm half HK, so I've spend quite a bit of time there. It's an interesting city, though I often feel as if it is becoming an increasingly generic cosmopolitain Asian metropolis, there are some really unique, historic, and sometime just plain weird areas still left. It's worth just going out there and walking til you find somewhere interesting.

 

[Steveh]

Thanks for the long reply - some really interesting ideas there. Any particular galleries to recommend? And how long does Lama take to get to? I might be ready for some fresh(er) air after a week of megalopolises and planes.

I think I went to Lantau last time.

Thanks again, S

 

[peterm1]

HK is a great place to shoot. Check out a couple of my sets on Flickr for ideas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/life_in_shadows/sets/72157631879282028/

and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/life_in_shadows/sets/72157625302258709/

Places I have shot include: The Peak, Victoria Harbour, the Peninsula Hotel, Kowloon / Mongkok, Kowloon waterfront promenade, Kowloon Park, Lantau Island and HK Island Mid -Levels and Central. The best $0.50c you can spend in the world is traveling across Victoria Harbour on a Star Ferry.

BTW if you want to go to the Peak to get some shots of the city, instead of taking the "tram" (really a funicular for tourists) take the ordinary road bus. If you are traveling across the harbour from Kowloon to the star ferry terminus at Central on HK island, come out of the terminus and walk along the elevated pedestrian walkway and eventually you will see a bus station below the walkway to your right. Instead of catching the bus (I think its 15a) to the Peak Tram Terminus take an alternate bus (I think its 15 - or maybe its the other way around) all the way to the Peak. This is what the locals do. Its cheaper but most importantly I think its extraordinarily picturesque as you will see glimpses of many parts of the city that you would not otherwise see as the bus winds its way up to the Peak. Great for a photographer. Just try to get a top level window seat on the right hand side of the bus for the best view. As ordinary and as silly as it sounds this was one of the highlights of my last trip there.

Go to YouTube and find videos posted by "That Nikon Guy" Matt Grainer. He goes to HK often and has posted some useful vids on buying and shooting there. Another good source of ideas is to watch videos from Digital Rev TV on youtube. That company is based in HK and you will see lots of local areas.

If you are planning to buy anything in the way of camera gear, its best to steer clear of the camera stores catering specifically to tourists, along Nathan Road and near by in and around Tsim Sha Tsui. Lots of scams - be warned. Some are honest but they are in the minority and "bait and switch" is a common ploy - offer something at a low price and say you have to get it from the warehouse - then when you have the money but the purchaser does not yet have the goods, give an excuse (so sorry the last one was just sold) then try to get you to accept a piece of cheap junk in place of it but refuse to give you your money back. The local authorities will not assist you if you fall for it. Try the camera stores in Mongkok and Sham Shui Po which is where the locals buy. The above mentioned Matt Grainger vids will tell you where. Prices are not much different from eBay however (i.e. certainly not cheaper) so you won't really get bargains that you would not otherwise get by buying online.

 

[nongfuspring]

Thanks for the long reply - some really interesting ideas there. Any particular galleries to recommend? And how long does Lama take to get to? I might be ready for some fresh(er) air after a week of megalopolises and planes.

I think I went to Lantau last time.

Thanks again, S

Lama is 30 mins boat ride from the Central ferry terminal. There's a beach, small town, some mountains if you feel like a walk. The seafood there is also supposed to be pretty good.

 

[Steveh]

Lama is 30 mins boat ride from the Central ferry terminal. There's a beach, small town, some mountains if you feel like a walk. The seafood there is also supposed to be pretty good.

Sounds just the thing. Thanks for the tip, may well give that a go. Peter thanks for the tips as well. No shopping on this trip though - I don't have enough brownie points in the bag with two weekends away from home!

 

[tuanvinh2000]

If you have time this might worth a visit:
http://tppg.jp/exhibitions/2014/manuelvandyck.html
Shinya Arimoto is one of my favourite contemporary photographers and he has exhibitions there from time to time. Browsing some bookstores would be fun as well since some books arent available much outside of japan.

 

[markwatts]

I don't mean to sound glib, but just walk out of your hotel in both locations. Two of my favourite cities. I am fortunate to live within a few hours flight of both. Around every corner is a memorable photograph.

 

[Beano_z]

Tokyo must visit for first timers: Ginza, Tsukiji market
HK must visit for first timers: Wan Chai, Mongkok, Yau Ma Tei

Edit: markwatts is right, also two of my all time favorite cities for photography, just wander the streets for great snapshots.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'm going to have one free day in Tokyo (a Sunday)

I've never been to Tokyo before but somewhere I can do some street style shooting, with interesting people who don't mind being photographed, would be ideal. I'm staying in Nihonbashi.

Nihonbashi is pretty quiet on Sundays. For a bit more street action, catch a train to Ueno (closest to Nihonbashi), Shinjuku, Shinbuya, or Ikebukuro and get off and walk around. Tokyo has got to be one of the easiest places to take photos on the street. Especially if you're obviously a foreigner. The most annoying thing will probably be getting "V" signs flashed at you by people posing for you.

 

[Steveh]

Thanks all - I'm taking careful notes! In Tokyo I think I'm pretty close to the main station so I'm hoping I'll be able to find my way around a bit by subway/metro. Jon I've heard of Shinjuku at least, I'll research the other places as well. I need to do some Youtube research as well.

Can anyone advise on the fish market in Tokyo? Wikipedia says the inner market is now closed to visitors and the outer market doesn't open until 9, which stuffs my plan to go there really early before work one day. Are there any special tours/other ways to get access early mornings when all the action goes on? I've always been fascinated by the photos I've seen.

Thanks again

 

[jonmanjiro]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Tsukiji markets are closed on Sundays. See here for more details. Not that its a big loss IMO, as I've never really understood the fascination that some tourists have for the place.

Regarding trains, the subway system is a bit overwhelming for visitors (and locals who don't or rarely use it). Unless you absolutely have to use the subway for some reason I'd recommend sticking to the above ground JR trains. You can walk to JR Tokyo Station from Nihonbashi, and from there you can catch the JR Chuo line directly to Shinjuku or the JR Yamanote loop line to any of the places I mentioned in my previous post. And if you stay on board, you'll end up back at Tokyo Station one hour later.

 

[Steveh]

That's really helpful, thanks Jon. Overground it is, not sure i fancy being pushed onto a subway train 😱.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Tsukiji markets are closed on Sundays. See here for more details. Not that its a big loss IMO, as I've never really understood the fascination that some tourists have for the place.

Regarding trains, the subway system is a bit overwhelming for visitors (and locals who don't or rarely use it). Unless you absolutely have to use the subway for some reason I'd recommend sticking to the above ground JR trains. You can walk to JR Tokyo Station from Nihonbashi, and from there you can catch the JR Chuo line directly to Shinjuku or the JR Yamanote loop line to any of the places I mentioned in my previous post.

 

[jonmanjiro]

That's really helpful, thanks Jon. Overground it is, not sure i fancy being pushed onto a subway train 😱.

Oh the above ground trains are no less crowded than the subway trains 😉 But don't worry, Sundays are never as crowded as rush hour on weekdays.

On the subject of Shinjuku and youtube clips, most of the street scenes in this are of Shinjuku.

 

[Steveh]

That's why I'm staying within walking distance of the office 😱

Will start my research with Shinjuku and take it from there, if it's good enough for Daido it's more than good enough for me....