Upcoming Tokyo trip

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bwidjaja

Warung Photo
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Sep 18, 2009
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I have an upcoming trip to Tokyo for a couple of days with my family. In case there are a few hours to spare, I would like to get suggestion on where to go to browse photographic equipments.
Especially of interest are:
Sony RX series
Fuji X mount lenses
Fuji Instax film (hope it's cheaper there)
Used RF lenses

Are prices generally cheaper for these items in Japan?
Thanks in advance
 
Haven't been to Tokyo recently but on past trips Yodobashi Camera is a big and competitively priced store (the Japanese B&H).
 
+1 for Yodobashi if you are shopping new equipment.

Fujiya Camera in Nakano and Map Camera in Shinjuku are probably the two biggest used shops in Tokyo. Most Kitamura Camera shops will have a nice little used inventory as well.

All my favorite camera shops are in Sapporo, but Tokyo is a fun place to shop too ：）
 
Fujiya Camera in Nakano is a must. Short train ride. Note when you get there that Fujiya has several locations, each specializing in different items. I had a local photographer guide and it was very helpful.

Also, for used gear, there are numerous shops hidden away near Shinjuku, but I needed help to find them.
 
I would skip any visits to camera stores in a two day visit. Enjoy cultural sites.
 
Bring your passport to apply for the consumption tax refund (8% VAT) when shopping at either Yodobashi Camera or BICCAMERA.
 
For new equip and film go to Bic Camera Yurakucho, near Ginza.
Cameras and film in the basement.

It is next to 3 other places, so you have a good excuse :-

1 ) The International forum building - amazing
architecture and great high view of Tokyo station.

2 ) Biggest Muji store !!! Great !

3 ) Hibiya gardens and emperors palace area, nice and green !

3b ) Comme de Garçon shop ( alt )

Fujiya Camera is great, but if your strapped for time
don't bother as it is a bit of a treck.

-TC
 
I was in Tokyo last week. Fujiya did not have a lot of rangefinder lenses, several Nikon RF and a few Leica screwmounts mostly 90mm. Last time I was there which was in March I think Fujiya had a few Hexanon M lenses all priced very reasonably something like $600 for a 28mm. The Leica RF lenses at Map are priced pretty high, certainly 50% more expensive then KEH if they had it in stock. Digital does not interest me so can't advise. Yodobashi film department is getting worse and worse. I only go there for Acros in 8x10. I will be back in 10 days and this time pick up lots of Velvia 50 in 8x10.
 
For used camera gear, I liked Lemon Camera and Katsumido in Ginza best. Katsumido has a nice selection of Leica and Canon rangefinder cameras and lenses. There is a young guy at Katsumido, Mr. Fujimoto. He is very pleasant and fluent in English. Tax free shopping is no problem.

Tokyo is a huge city and there are many things to see. Regarding photography, the JCII camera museum and Fujifilm square are worth a visit. I also liked Ueno Park and the Yanaka neighbourhood. The 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitain Government Building gives a good overview over the city.

Converted into Euro, prices are definitely lower. Bringing a nice camera or lens back home as a souvenir is cheap even with taxes added when I return back into the EU.


Ginza in the evening, Tōkyō.
 
Thanks a bunch for the responses. Wow, so many places. Raid may have a valid point and I need to lower my expectation :).
 
We spent 6 weeks in Japan a few years ago, and I recall that we spent one hour in Tokyo. We stepped out of the railway station, and after walking around (with two strollers) it was clear to us that we will not be able to do much in one day there. Instead of wasting it in the streets, we turned around, and we took the train back to Nagoya, where we stayed. It can be overwhelming if you have little children with you and if you have little time to spend there.
 
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