Tokyo?

Maddoc, thank you for backing me up about photos of sleeping commuters. I knew I was asking for a bombardment of these photos, but Taipei M's and Jon's photos are perfectly fine (!) since they're not of Tokyo. Perhaps someone can start a dedicated thread and all such photos can reside there and I wont have to look at them.
KTMrider, the Not Really Retired Colonel makes a good suggestion to contact RFF members in Japan. It really made a difference to my trips. Jon was a wonderful help to me, not just for photography related pursuits either.
 
maddoc said:
Google Maps is very helpful in Tokyo because you can enter any address also in English and easily find your way through the city. Therefore plan getting some WiFi or SIM card for your smartphone or tablet.
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Google Maps can be used offline.
Login to maps, click settings -> offline maps then zoom to the area you want available offline. There is a max download size per each map but you can download multiple maps to cover adjacent areas. Overlapping maps are optimized to save storage space.
Works a charm - I used it in England and France this summer.

Once you download a map, you can only have A-B routing via car. This is not always the best route on foot though. However for walking - all landmarks, shops, streets etc are visible and searchable along with live compass orientation.

Any saved/favourited locations in Google maps are also visible in offline maps.

I also found that if I planned a route via Google maps transit or walk while connected to wifi, then left wifi but stayed on the route planner view, my map was updated with my progress along bus or walk routes.


Google Translate can also be used offline.
Settings -> Offline Translation -> add dictionary.
Turn on screen rotate for larger display of translated output.
Handy when requesting nursing pads in a pharmacy in France.
 
But then you miss the very handy feature of getting train connection information, essential in Tokyo.

maigo said:
Once you download a map, you can only have A-B routing via car. This is not always the best route on foot though.
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I lived in Tokyo for 15 years... I have massive withdrawals all the time. Luckily I can go back once or twice a year. Shinjuku and Shibuya have been shot to death, but they are such organic neighborhoods, they never get old (to me).

The yen is strong-ish right now if you look at long term trends. It's still not bad though, so you can find some good deals. My favorite camera shop is in Akihabara - just a small step in place run by an Indian guy. Decent prices, great selection.

One thing for sure is if you buy from the better known used camera chains (eg Map Camera) the gear will be in top shape, and has a warranty, even though that might not help you as you're not a local.

Airbnb has made it very affordable if you don't mind a bit of adventuring. I stayed in a small guest house for $40/night last spring.

Feel free to ask specifics if you need. Going there this month in fact.

Be sure to visit the used camera stores, best in the world. Especially Fujiya in Nakano one train stop from Tokyo.
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Hmm... which train would that be?

Obligatory photo


img012 by gaijin_punch, on Flickr
 
Japan in general, and so Tokyo, is a lovely place. It is very safe and easy to get around there. The interesting thing is that I met four Japanese people there that were able to speak German fluently, but nobody seems to understand English, so be prepared for that. The camera shops that I liked best were Lemon Camera and Katsumido in Ginza. Also the JCII camera museum is worth a visit.

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OK, I have a question for Tokyo regulars. I know Japan pretty well, but don't know the answer to my question.

Pasmo or Suica? For JR in Tokyo To and both subway companies. I'll want to buy at Narita when I arrive and cash out when I leave. Don't care about using it at Lawsons or a vending machine.

does it matter which I pick?

thx,
mike
 
I am sitting in a chair at the Nikon Salon in Shinjuku, which is on the 28th floor. Funny, but I can see my apartment across town in Roppngi. I just picked up my 28-70/2.8 D lens after getting a new focusing motor out in it. Right now they are looking at my old ED 50-300 zoom to see if they can get the dust out of it.

There are a dozen or so camera stores within walking distance, half of them specialize in used equipment. The nearby Yodobashi Camera has an entire store dedicated to film.

Besides the places to shop for cameras, there are great places for shooting, like nearby Kabukicho, the "Golden Gai", and countless small alleys and streets. There are
Few places in the world more delightful for photography than Tokyo and Japan.
 
Most aspects have already been covered. However the last few times I've been I've noticed that camera prices in Tokyo stored are not particularly cheap.
On the other hand, I have found very cheap camera gear at what are essentially flea markets outside of Tokyo. Founds some pretty spectacular non camera related items also.
If you only have a few days and you're not feeling very adventurous you may not want to start traveling to areas with little/no English and take a chance on second hand gear from market stalls. If you do however, you should be able to find some great deals.
 
Not yet. I just returned from three weeks in the Philippines motorcycling around Luzon and scuba diving near Subic Bay. I am off to Mexico City 12/17 with my daughter for a week and then we are meeting my wife in Cabo for another week.

So, I am trying to come up with another adventure and it may be a trip to Asia in February or motorcycling to Panama in February/March. The jury is still out.
 
ktmrider said:
Not yet. I just returned from three weeks in the Philippines motorcycling around Luzon and scuba diving near Subic Bay. I am off to Mexico City 12/17 with my daughter for a week and then we are meeting my wife in Cabo for another week.

So, I am trying to come up with another adventure and it may be a trip to Asia in February or motorcycling to Panama in February/March. The jury is still out.
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Sounds like you're having a great time. Photos of Luzon would be cool!
 
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