Visiting Japan for the first time...

[sara]

Hi everyone

so I am visiting Japan for 5 days, Tokyo specifically because I am in S.E Asia and I can't do a 20hr+ direct flight back to the US now with a baby.

I don't particularly know where we are staying yet but some accommodations recommended were in Edogawa.

What I would like to know is in regards to photography:

1. Would you recommend that I travel there to buy film and shoot? (Although I wanted to preload one into my camera and use it on the plane etc BUT my departing airport will ask to scan my bags twice URGH I HATE AIRPORTS specifically people who don't want to do hand-checks).

2. If there is a shop, is there a well-known one where I can buy film and dev at the same place and they mail the negs back to me LOL.....>

Any recommendations appreciated 😀
Thank you!

 

[Nitroplait]

1. There are plenty of places to buy film in central Tokyo, but Edogawa is in the periphery and you’d have to do some research when you know where you’ll stay. I would guess that all Yodobashi Camera and BicCamera (they are everywhere) would have a basic film selection. Much more choice if you go to Yodobashi or one of the many camera shops in Shinjuku.

2. Kitamura Camera’s flagship store in Shinjuku will sell and develop your film. Shipping the negatives is very unlikely, but you can have day or hour service many places in central Tokyo.
Both Narita and Haneda will hand inspect film on departure if the security line has a CT scanner installed.

 

[Nitroplait]

Browse through the Tokyo Camera Style instagram feed. There should be examples of places for developing and film purchasing. John Sypal - the photographer behind this IG account also maintains a Tokyo map of photography resources, probably linked from the IG profile.

 

[Mute-on]

There are a number of forum members who live in Japan and can offer more informed advice regarding film sources. However, having travelled to Japan on five occasions with our twins, from when they were18 months old to 9 years, I can offer the following:
I stopped shooting film in Japan once CT scanners became prevalent, and getting a hand inspection was a lottery. I bought an M262 last year and took that on our last trip to Japan.
Film is generally more expensive in Japan than in the US, and not as readily available.
If you only have 5 days in Tokyo, and are travelling with an infant, the last thing you will want to be doing is searching an unfamiliar country to find a store with film. Your time is too short, and you will be HOT if you are travelling this side of October. Do yourself a favour, forget film and take a digital camera that works for you.
If you don’t already have one, spend the money to get a compact travel pram that can fold down to fit under a seat on in the overhead compartment on a plane, train or bus. This will change your experience for the better, to put it mildly.
Enjoy the little time you have in Tokyo by immersing yourself in local areas. The tourist attractions will be overcrowded and generally unpleasant because of it.
Plan your next trip to Japan because you will love it … !
All the best.

 

[Nitroplait]

Let me just say that my experience is that both Narita and Haneda clearly advertise that they will hand inspect your film. You will see signs like the one below.
It is my experience that you only have to wave a plastic zipper bag with your film, and they will take it from there. The personel is trained in the consequence of CT scanning of photographic film.

As always, don't be in a rush if you choose to take film through security in an airport. Be polite and express gratitude to encourage the same service for the next film photographer in line.
Also, know the difference between regular X-Ray and CT scanners. You only have to worry about the latter.

 

[sara]

Let me just say that my experience is that both Narita and Haneda clearly advertise that they will hand inspect your film. You will see signs like the one below.
It is my experience that you only have to wave a plastic zipper bag with your film, and they will take it from there. The personel is trained in the consequence of CT scanning of photographic film.

As always, don't be in a rush if you choose to take film through security in an airport. Be polite and express gratitude to encourage the same service for the next film photographer in line.
Also, know the difference between regular X-Ray and CT scanners. You only have to worry about the latter.
View attachment 4843875

Ooooo thanks for this. Yeah it's helpful. I would assume Japan would be kind enough to hand inspect film.

I only have time for probably just 1 roll lol..

 

[sara]

There are a number of forum members who live in Japan and can offer more informed advice regarding film sources. However, having travelled to Japan on five occasions with our twins, from when they were18 months old to 9 years, I can offer the following:
I stopped shooting film in Japan once CT scanners became prevalent, and getting a hand inspection was a lottery. I bought an M262 last year and took that on our last trip to Japan.
Film is generally more expensive in Japan than in the US, and not as readily available.
If you only have 5 days in Tokyo, and are travelling with an infant, the last thing you will want to be doing is searching an unfamiliar country to find a store with film. Your time is too short, and you will be HOT if you are travelling this side of October. Do yourself a favour, forget film and take a digital camera that works for you.
If you don’t already have one, spend the money to get a compact travel pram that can fold down to fit under a seat on in the overhead compartment on a plane, train or bus. This will change your experience for the better, to put it mildly.
Enjoy the little time you have in Tokyo by immersing yourself in local areas. The tourist attractions will be overcrowded and generally unpleasant because of it.
Plan your next trip to Japan because you will love it … !
All the best.

I am travelling in mid-September but do not have a choice unfortunately. It just a stop because we have to break the flight, and it was a last minute decision.

I am OK with the heat and humidity......have experience from living in 33C all year round tropical country for 30 years of my life....LOL.
27C is a privilege...

I will of course have my phone with me. We are not planning a huge trip.

We have a compact stroller of course...! The baby won't be travelling out much. Probably max 3 hours.

...I will still shoot film 😛 It doesn't have to be the outside most of the time. I now primarily shoot film of my kid.That is all...lol.
and I only have enough time for one roll...I am not planning a huge project.

I just bought a Pentax 17 and finished 1 roll in 5 days...of my baby just crawling around.
It would be a waste not to shoot film.

 

[Mute-on]

Enjoy!