gavinlg
Veteran
Big tip for food - don't be afraid to go into convenience stores - 7/11 and Lawsons etc and check out the pre-packages plastic 'boxes' that they have - they're about 300-500yen, super super fresh, and usually consist of something like a big piece of sliced/battered chicken, a big sausage, potato, a few random vegetables and a whole lot of rice. When you buy them the person at the checkout will ask you a question and point towards the microwave - just nod and say "hai" and you'll walk out with a hot and fairly good meal for $3-5us.
I noticed a lot of japanese eat these as well - it's just so cheap and convenient - and infinitely more healthy than western fast food. I survived on these most mornings and nights the last 2 times I've been.
I noticed a lot of japanese eat these as well - it's just so cheap and convenient - and infinitely more healthy than western fast food. I survived on these most mornings and nights the last 2 times I've been.
Frontman
Well-known
You can see the more interesting parts of Tokyo by using the Yamanote train line, which runs in a circle around the heart of the city. On the Yamanote line near Tokyo station you'll find Ginza, with it's expensive shops (and used camera stores).
A couple of stops up the line is Akihabara, which is the old "Electric Town" where you'll find lots of computer/game/souvenir/electronics shops and duty-free shops. Be warned, you won't find any bargains here, if you are from America, you'll find better prices on Japanese goods there than you will find in Japan.
A couple more stops up the line is Ueno, which is famous for it's museums, park, zoo, and shrines. If you want a look at Japanese history, the Tokyo National Museum is in Ueno. The museums and zoo are closed on the first Monday of every month.
Further along the line you'll come to Shinjuku, which is home to Kabukicho, and probably one of the best places you'll find in Tokyo for street photography. You'll see a lot of "interesting" people in the area, "hosts" who are fantastically dressed young men who try to hustle women into their clubs and then empty their purses by talking them into buying expensive drinks, or hustlers with offers like "sex with a Japanese girl...". It's an interesting place to explore, with lots of small streets and alleys.
The next place along the line is Harajuku, which is best to visit on Sundays when the young cosplayers hang out on the bridge by the station showing off their "fashion". You'll know you are in the right place if you see lots of foreigners and Japanese shooting cameras at young people dressed like super-heros or comic book characters. Near Harajuku is Yoyogi Park, which is home to Meiji Jingu shrine, which is also worth the time to see. Across from Harajuku station you'll find Harajuku street, and then Omotesando (where I live). Harajuku street is full of small boutique shops frequented by young people, whereas Omotesando is full of high-end brand-name stores (bring your platinum card).
Next stop is Shibuya, famous in "Lost in Translation", or "Tokyo Drift". Shibuya is one of the not-to-be-missed parts of Tokyo. Look for the Hachiko exit, and make sure to pose for a picture with the the bronze statue of the dog Hachi (which inspired the recent Richard Gere movie "Hachi"). You'll find countless more shops in Shibuya, and lots of good restaurants.
If you stay on the Yamanote train, it will eventually take you back to Tokyo Station.
Another good place to visit is Asakusa. Near Tokyo Station you'll find Takaracho Station, or Kiyobashi Station, where you can take either the Asakusa Line or Ginza Line subways to Asakusa Station. Asakusa is home to the Sensoji temple, and the largest assortment of souvenir shops in Tokyo. The few remaining "old town" parts of Tokyo are located in the Asakusa area, so it is worth seeing.
One weekend is not really enough to see all there is to see. I've lived in Tokyo for three years, and I have not yet come close to seeing it all.
A couple of stops up the line is Akihabara, which is the old "Electric Town" where you'll find lots of computer/game/souvenir/electronics shops and duty-free shops. Be warned, you won't find any bargains here, if you are from America, you'll find better prices on Japanese goods there than you will find in Japan.
A couple more stops up the line is Ueno, which is famous for it's museums, park, zoo, and shrines. If you want a look at Japanese history, the Tokyo National Museum is in Ueno. The museums and zoo are closed on the first Monday of every month.
Further along the line you'll come to Shinjuku, which is home to Kabukicho, and probably one of the best places you'll find in Tokyo for street photography. You'll see a lot of "interesting" people in the area, "hosts" who are fantastically dressed young men who try to hustle women into their clubs and then empty their purses by talking them into buying expensive drinks, or hustlers with offers like "sex with a Japanese girl...". It's an interesting place to explore, with lots of small streets and alleys.
The next place along the line is Harajuku, which is best to visit on Sundays when the young cosplayers hang out on the bridge by the station showing off their "fashion". You'll know you are in the right place if you see lots of foreigners and Japanese shooting cameras at young people dressed like super-heros or comic book characters. Near Harajuku is Yoyogi Park, which is home to Meiji Jingu shrine, which is also worth the time to see. Across from Harajuku station you'll find Harajuku street, and then Omotesando (where I live). Harajuku street is full of small boutique shops frequented by young people, whereas Omotesando is full of high-end brand-name stores (bring your platinum card).
Next stop is Shibuya, famous in "Lost in Translation", or "Tokyo Drift". Shibuya is one of the not-to-be-missed parts of Tokyo. Look for the Hachiko exit, and make sure to pose for a picture with the the bronze statue of the dog Hachi (which inspired the recent Richard Gere movie "Hachi"). You'll find countless more shops in Shibuya, and lots of good restaurants.
If you stay on the Yamanote train, it will eventually take you back to Tokyo Station.
Another good place to visit is Asakusa. Near Tokyo Station you'll find Takaracho Station, or Kiyobashi Station, where you can take either the Asakusa Line or Ginza Line subways to Asakusa Station. Asakusa is home to the Sensoji temple, and the largest assortment of souvenir shops in Tokyo. The few remaining "old town" parts of Tokyo are located in the Asakusa area, so it is worth seeing.
One weekend is not really enough to see all there is to see. I've lived in Tokyo for three years, and I have not yet come close to seeing it all.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Be prepared to come to one of the most crowded places on the earth around this time of the year, December’s old Japanese name is ”師走” 「しわす、shi-wa-su] sometimes translated as "even the teacher runs (has to hurry)" 
If you don't mind feeling like sardines in a can then I would enjoy the above mentioned places, e.g Shibuya, Shinjuku etc. otherwise I would try to escape to a place like Kamakura.
When commuting inside of Tokyo do yourself a favor and buy a "PASMO" card. It is an electronic ticket that can be bought at every station (500JPY deposit that will be paid back when you return it) and you can use it for subway, the private railway companies (KEIO, Odakyu), Japan Railways and also buy drinks at many vendor machines and pay in some convenience stores. It save lots of trouble to buy a new ticket every time you change trains. Otherwise a good guide with a map of the train-system is very helpful.
Convenient stores are good to buy cheap food / drinks and you can bring also convenient store drinks into your hotel room.
Shinjuku has the most camera shops with acceptable prices while in Ginza everything is over-prized.
Be prepared to wear not to warm clothes, it is quite common to set the air-condition to 28 degrees inside shops and restaurants.
The thing with Tokyo is that it is not a town but a conglomerate of many small towns parts that have grown together and kept their individual character, so every place has it's own unique style.
A last tip, Japan is a cash country. In all small restaurants / bars you can only pay in JPY and no credit card accepted. Also many shops don't accept western credit cards but big stores have tax refund system so bring your pass port when buying expensive goods.
If you don't mind feeling like sardines in a can then I would enjoy the above mentioned places, e.g Shibuya, Shinjuku etc. otherwise I would try to escape to a place like Kamakura.
When commuting inside of Tokyo do yourself a favor and buy a "PASMO" card. It is an electronic ticket that can be bought at every station (500JPY deposit that will be paid back when you return it) and you can use it for subway, the private railway companies (KEIO, Odakyu), Japan Railways and also buy drinks at many vendor machines and pay in some convenience stores. It save lots of trouble to buy a new ticket every time you change trains. Otherwise a good guide with a map of the train-system is very helpful.
Convenient stores are good to buy cheap food / drinks and you can bring also convenient store drinks into your hotel room.
Shinjuku has the most camera shops with acceptable prices while in Ginza everything is over-prized.
Be prepared to wear not to warm clothes, it is quite common to set the air-condition to 28 degrees inside shops and restaurants.
The thing with Tokyo is that it is not a town but a conglomerate of many small towns parts that have grown together and kept their individual character, so every place has it's own unique style.
A last tip, Japan is a cash country. In all small restaurants / bars you can only pay in JPY and no credit card accepted. Also many shops don't accept western credit cards but big stores have tax refund system so bring your pass port when buying expensive goods.
ampguy
Veteran
here's a tip if you're not into the big big crowds, but still want to be a couple/few hours from the center of Tokyo, get on a train to Chiba, Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Mt. Takao, or even out to the sticks in Gunma or Ikaho hot springs. More nature, and trust me, that kind of 'rural' is not like 'rural' of any other country ...
Haigh
Gary Haigh
Great suggestions from all the above so I won't add except to say that I am more at home there as a photographer than anywhere else. Food is so accessible and quite cheap if you take the advice already given in the above posts. Tokyo is a huge cultural hit. Go!
Strangeluv
Christer Johansen
First of all, thank you so much for all your suggestions. Proved to be just what I needed!
We arrived quite late on Saturday due to loads of cancelled flights in Europe. At one point I was not even sure we were going to make it. Luckily we got on a flight directly to Tokyo from Copenhagen.
Let me just say this, Tokyo kicks ass! I really loved the city and will definitely go back.
The food was great, and the people very very helpful. A wonderful lady even walked with us for 10 minutes to make sure we got on the right subway. And all we did was asking for the direction
Due to the late arrival I only got one day of shooting before returning to Oslo.
Here are a few of the shots. Hope you like them.
Btw, the Japanese rockabilly's ruled. I could have watched them for hours.
We arrived quite late on Saturday due to loads of cancelled flights in Europe. At one point I was not even sure we were going to make it. Luckily we got on a flight directly to Tokyo from Copenhagen.
Let me just say this, Tokyo kicks ass! I really loved the city and will definitely go back.
The food was great, and the people very very helpful. A wonderful lady even walked with us for 10 minutes to make sure we got on the right subway. And all we did was asking for the direction
Due to the late arrival I only got one day of shooting before returning to Oslo.
Here are a few of the shots. Hope you like them.
Btw, the Japanese rockabilly's ruled. I could have watched them for hours.
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ampguy
Veteran
LeicaFan
Well-known
Awesome pictures!
Strangeluv
Christer Johansen
Thanks guys
A couple of more shots:
A couple of more shots:
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zerobuttons
Well-known
Those are great. I´m looking very much forward to going there in May.Thanks guys
A couple of more shots:
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Mister E
Well-known
The tsukiji fish market which was one of the top sites in Tokyo is now a huge, steaming pile of rancid ****. Tokyo is a blast for sure, but for my money I prefer almost anywhere else. Seoul for one is way more intense. I'll be to Tokyo again this year a time or two I'm sure, but I'd never pay to fly half way around to world to go there.
Tokyo has some great day trips. Kamakura is nice, Nikko is pleasant, but sort of creepily theme park like. I like temples, so Asakusa is nice.
Me, next time I go I want to track down some kooky North Korean affiliated Chongryon and slum it up shooting pictures of them.
Tokyo has some great day trips. Kamakura is nice, Nikko is pleasant, but sort of creepily theme park like. I like temples, so Asakusa is nice.
Me, next time I go I want to track down some kooky North Korean affiliated Chongryon and slum it up shooting pictures of them.