RFluhver
Well-known
Btw...I dunno if you're a woman, but if you are, be careful. There are many perverts on the trains of Tokyo (and other Japanese cities). So bad is this problem that some lines even have 'women only' cars. It's mind boggling for me that in this here supposedly modern and civilised country, in a city that is often considered one of the top 4 or 5 megacities, that we have this extent of problem.
And by the way, the nuke crisis shows no signs of getting better. Just for hilarity, my French mate said to me that the US might as well re-invade and re-occupy Japan so that the Americans can solve the crisis. Japanese are basically useless in this situation.
So just be careful and be ready.
And by the way, the nuke crisis shows no signs of getting better. Just for hilarity, my French mate said to me that the US might as well re-invade and re-occupy Japan so that the Americans can solve the crisis. Japanese are basically useless in this situation.
So just be careful and be ready.
gho
Well-known
Ha, finally I can make it this year and the flight is already booked. I am going to stay for three weeks in August and my main priorities so far are Tokyo and Kyoto. Still looking for an accomodation though, but the advice here in this thread is already quite helpful! By the way, Simon (the Berlin one) is going to visit in September, so hopefully we will see some interesting impressions of Japan.
Actually I would just like to jump in and see where it takes me, but I figure, some preplanning seems to be a must. Though I am a bit hesitant with booking an accomodation beforehand, because that would limit my flexibility. How are your experiences with dropping in somewhere spontaneusly? What about the rural areas? Any advice is highly appreciated.
Actually I would just like to jump in and see where it takes me, but I figure, some preplanning seems to be a must. Though I am a bit hesitant with booking an accomodation beforehand, because that would limit my flexibility. How are your experiences with dropping in somewhere spontaneusly? What about the rural areas? Any advice is highly appreciated.
Pablito
coco frío
jaredangle
Photojournalist
Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku has just about everything one could want when it comes to film and chemicals, about the same as what you can order from places in the US like Freestyle or B & H.
As far as accomodations, you could try looking for a short-term sublease of an apartment on the Tokyo craigslist page.
John Sypal of Tokyo Camera Style fame has been shooting the streets of Tokyo for years. His website (and email) are at tokyocamerastyle.com.
You can also talk to Bellamy Hunt (japancamerahunter.com). He's here on RFF.
Lastly, there's Dirk from japanexposures.com, also here on RFF.
Hope this helps!
maddoc
... likes film again.
August is the month with the highest temperatures (easily up to 40 degrees Celsius), high humidity, the occasional typhoon and the holiday season (including お盆 Obon) from August 11th to 19th this year. During Obon, almost all universities and many companies close for summer holidays so expect hotels, trains etc to be very crowded.
Georg, Gabor is right about August being a busy time of year, but as long as you book hotels and trains etc. a day or two ahead I think you'll be fine. I've done several spur of the moment week long trips in Japan during the obon period and always managed to find somewhere to sleep (including same day bookings in some cases). You might want to book well ahead for Kyoto though, a its a very popular destination. As for the weather, yep August is very hot and very humid, but I'm guessing you already knew that before booking your ticket.
zwarte_kat
Well-known
some tips
some tips
Some of my input (in Tokyo for 6 years now):
-For a stay of 3 weeks or longer, you can rent a monthly guesthouse room, Sakura house (more expensive, but central, only foreigners), and Oakhouse (lightly less central, but cheaper, and Japanese people are allowed) are well known ones. There isn't really anything cheaper, maybe the internet cafes, but then I would even rather book a dorm at Sakura house for the same or less. The internet cafes are pretty hardcore for 3 weeks I think. The great thing about guesthouses is that you will meet people like you.
I recommend Oakhouse, at a station near the Chuo (train) line. Picking the right train station is more important than location. Check public transport times on google maps, using Shinjuku/Shibya as a reference.
-Trains can be crowded around rush hour, but not so much in between, especially on weekdays. Plan your days so that you don't have to ride the crowded trains, or suck it up.
-Perverse Japanese are not a problem for foreigners. They are too shy and afraid for your reaction, and will focus on Japanese women instead. I cannot give any guarantees though, but your chances are better than in most other countries.
-Yes, August is very humid and sweaty, but there are also many great local festivals (even many inside Tokyo). You WANT to visit these, often the small ones are more romantic than the big ones. Also there will be many mosquitoes.
-There are also a couple of firework shows in august if I am not mistaken, the biggest attracting hundreds of thousands of people. If you are traveling, you could take a spot the day ahead. I don't go anymore though, too crowded.
-Magnetic railways pass (suica/pasmo) is indeed a must. Get it as soon as you can and stop worrying about which ticket to get and enjoy your time better.
-Cool simple day trips are Kamakura (beach, some temples), Enoshima (small Island attached to Tokyo), Mount Hakone (easy hike from Tokyo, beer garden), and Hakone Hot springs. For a 2 day trip Nikko delivers the beautiful Cliche Temple and Nature Japanese scenery, no need to go to Kyoto, which I think is overrated (I like Nara much better).
-Most of these places are quiet during the week, and ridiculously crowded in the weekend. Use your advantage of not having to go to work.
-There are also a bunch of small islands which can be reached from Tokyo overnight by boat (recommended!). If you want to party, go to Niijma in August, and stay at the awesome free camping. you can go surfing there too.
-Go indeed to Shinjuku (west exit) for camera goodness. The big Yodobashi camera and Map Camera are on the same street. I wouldn't bother going to any other store, maybe only Fujiya in Nakano for some 2nd hand digital stuff, they don't have much rangefinder gear anymore. With the high yen you are probably better of looking at the classifieds anyway.
-My favorite area in Tokyo is Kichijouji, also voted as the best place to live in if I remember correctly. Shimo-kitazawa is also nice
-Ginza is boring, Akihabara is boring unless you are a total tech/manga geek. Check out Shibuya crossing, but then quickly run to the much nicer Daikanyama and Nakameguro. Roppongi itself sucks, but has some nice musea. I guess you should see the Mori Museum there.
-Besides sushi, try okonomiyaki, something some foreigners forget, though Japanese people will take you there if you meet them.
-If you go for Korean food, and you should, go to Shin Okubo for the real thing. If you bring western girls they will get treated like princesses.
-Of course you will go to Yoyogi park on sundays, just like everyone else, and that's good. If you come from Harajuku station, also walk towards Shibuya. There is an open stage that often has festivals and cultural fairs in the weekend, which many foreigners completely overlook. The fleamarket there is super fun too. Check here for the schedule:
http://tigerfestival.blogspot.jp/
(google translate it)
-Taking photos is no problem, check my flickr or facebook to see what I get away with. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rudyshots/
-Tokyo doesn't need to be expensive, but it probably will be with all the fun things to do there
I wouldn't eat ricebowls everyday to save money, enjoy and spend, save money at home!
some tips
Some of my input (in Tokyo for 6 years now):
-For a stay of 3 weeks or longer, you can rent a monthly guesthouse room, Sakura house (more expensive, but central, only foreigners), and Oakhouse (lightly less central, but cheaper, and Japanese people are allowed) are well known ones. There isn't really anything cheaper, maybe the internet cafes, but then I would even rather book a dorm at Sakura house for the same or less. The internet cafes are pretty hardcore for 3 weeks I think. The great thing about guesthouses is that you will meet people like you.
I recommend Oakhouse, at a station near the Chuo (train) line. Picking the right train station is more important than location. Check public transport times on google maps, using Shinjuku/Shibya as a reference.
-Trains can be crowded around rush hour, but not so much in between, especially on weekdays. Plan your days so that you don't have to ride the crowded trains, or suck it up.
-Perverse Japanese are not a problem for foreigners. They are too shy and afraid for your reaction, and will focus on Japanese women instead. I cannot give any guarantees though, but your chances are better than in most other countries.
-Yes, August is very humid and sweaty, but there are also many great local festivals (even many inside Tokyo). You WANT to visit these, often the small ones are more romantic than the big ones. Also there will be many mosquitoes.
-There are also a couple of firework shows in august if I am not mistaken, the biggest attracting hundreds of thousands of people. If you are traveling, you could take a spot the day ahead. I don't go anymore though, too crowded.
-Magnetic railways pass (suica/pasmo) is indeed a must. Get it as soon as you can and stop worrying about which ticket to get and enjoy your time better.
-Cool simple day trips are Kamakura (beach, some temples), Enoshima (small Island attached to Tokyo), Mount Hakone (easy hike from Tokyo, beer garden), and Hakone Hot springs. For a 2 day trip Nikko delivers the beautiful Cliche Temple and Nature Japanese scenery, no need to go to Kyoto, which I think is overrated (I like Nara much better).
-Most of these places are quiet during the week, and ridiculously crowded in the weekend. Use your advantage of not having to go to work.
-There are also a bunch of small islands which can be reached from Tokyo overnight by boat (recommended!). If you want to party, go to Niijma in August, and stay at the awesome free camping. you can go surfing there too.
-Go indeed to Shinjuku (west exit) for camera goodness. The big Yodobashi camera and Map Camera are on the same street. I wouldn't bother going to any other store, maybe only Fujiya in Nakano for some 2nd hand digital stuff, they don't have much rangefinder gear anymore. With the high yen you are probably better of looking at the classifieds anyway.
-My favorite area in Tokyo is Kichijouji, also voted as the best place to live in if I remember correctly. Shimo-kitazawa is also nice
-Ginza is boring, Akihabara is boring unless you are a total tech/manga geek. Check out Shibuya crossing, but then quickly run to the much nicer Daikanyama and Nakameguro. Roppongi itself sucks, but has some nice musea. I guess you should see the Mori Museum there.
-Besides sushi, try okonomiyaki, something some foreigners forget, though Japanese people will take you there if you meet them.
-If you go for Korean food, and you should, go to Shin Okubo for the real thing. If you bring western girls they will get treated like princesses.
-Of course you will go to Yoyogi park on sundays, just like everyone else, and that's good. If you come from Harajuku station, also walk towards Shibuya. There is an open stage that often has festivals and cultural fairs in the weekend, which many foreigners completely overlook. The fleamarket there is super fun too. Check here for the schedule:
http://tigerfestival.blogspot.jp/
(google translate it)
-Taking photos is no problem, check my flickr or facebook to see what I get away with. http://www.flickr.com/photos/rudyshots/
-Tokyo doesn't need to be expensive, but it probably will be with all the fun things to do there
I wouldn't eat ricebowls everyday to save money, enjoy and spend, save money at home!
gho
Well-known
zwarte_kat: Thank you for your detailed tips! So far I am thinking about setting my base in Tokyo a bit off the center with a good connection to the transport system. A guest house seems to be just right. I like the idea of meeting people there.
As for the crowdedness during Obon: seems to be just right! Actually I am also very interested in local street festivals, traditions and the mixture of traditional and modern elements in Japanese culture. I think I will do a few trips from Tokyo to other locations too. Have to research a bit more about what is going on.
Jon: Sure, it would be a pleasure meeting you and others!
As for the crowdedness during Obon: seems to be just right! Actually I am also very interested in local street festivals, traditions and the mixture of traditional and modern elements in Japanese culture. I think I will do a few trips from Tokyo to other locations too. Have to research a bit more about what is going on.
Jon: Sure, it would be a pleasure meeting you and others!
Photography is a great hobby for me. I like to capture every beautiful thing. I also like to capture in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very beautiful city of Japan that have many beautiful things to capture.
japancamerahunter
Established
There are tons of places to see here, and Tokyo does not have to be expensive. Shooting is fine just about everywhere, I have never had an issue and I have been shooting for years.
If you are looking for cameras then there are more shops than you could ever need to visit.
Here is a guide:
Pt 1
Pt 2
Pt 3
And I am always up for a beer with visitors
If you are looking for cameras then there are more shops than you could ever need to visit.
Here is a guide:
Pt 1
Pt 2
Pt 3
And I am always up for a beer with visitors
gho
Well-known
And I am always up for a beer with visitors
Yay! I am really looking forward to the journey. Hotel and flight are already booked. Does anyone know about a film photographer hangout where I could possibly use the darkroom for some quick developments? I am interested in getting to know the locals and to learn what is going on in Tokyo photographically.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
yeah, I'll be there in two weeks! save some pie for me.
I'm going to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka) in the middle of October. My girlfriend is from Osaka and it'll be my first time going there. I'm very excited. Even took a few Japanese classes to prepare. Should be great to photograph around there...
gho
Well-known
Thanks for the good evening to all! I am back in Berlin, if anyone happens to be around sometime, drop me a line for a meeting here!
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
movits! (swedish swing - soul/funk - rap) are playing in tokyo just a few days after I get there, if anyone's interested, I'm considering it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1mDICrGlkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnaeImQ0TSg
I would also like to go to jazz clubs and such things, if anyone has suggestions...?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1mDICrGlkI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnaeImQ0TSg
I would also like to go to jazz clubs and such things, if anyone has suggestions...?
gho
Well-known
japancamerahunter
Established
Crikey, that JapanCameraHunter chap is a handsome bugger
awslee
Well-known
Ha, I see Ming is in the crowd as well!!!
useless generation
Established
I will be in Tokyo in around a month. Can't wait to explore the city!