Where to photograph in Tokyo?

[sr1200]

Hello all... I have a couple of questions to ask, if anyone has info on shooting in Tokyo...

I've been accepted to a Magnum Photos workshop coming up in Tokyo. I'm expected to develop a subject and pursue that for the week. In doing my research I'm checking out several of the neighborhoods..

Recommendations from Magnum are Tsukiji market, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Kabukicho, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi park, and Shinjuku Gyoen. Also Asakusa and Ueno.

After googling each, I can clearly see that I'd be most interested in Kabukicho, but I admit I'm a little concerned about getting knifed. I wouldn't be the only one taking photos, but I wonder how the "American with a camera" goes down there, especially if there's something really gritty to get a photo of. Would love some feedback on this, if anyone has some.

Also, gotta ask, 50mm 1.8D, or 50mm 1.4 Art (Mounted to my D750)? I think the D wins, due to size. Thoughts? Could also take the 85mm 1.8D to help minimize knifing proximity, but realistically, a guy can close the distance with a knife in about half a second. I should not think about knives so much...

Would appreciate any feedback you might have on this. Thanks much!!!

 

[jonmanjiro]

After googling each, I can clearly see that I'd be most interested in Kabukicho, but I admit I'm a little concerned about getting knifed. I wouldn't be the only one taking photos, but I wonder how the "American with a camera" goes down there, especially if there's something really gritty to get a photo of. Would love some feedback on this, if anyone has some.

I'm an "Australian with camera" (whose lived in Japan about 20 years), and was wandering around Shinjuku (including Kabukicho) tonight with a Leica IIIc in hand. To answer your question, your concern is unfounded. The chances of getting knifed anywhere in Japan, even the seedy red light districts like Kabukicho, are extremely low. Its way safer here than any western city I've visited. As an "American with a camera" you're going to get flashed "V" signs more than anything else.


japan 2012 by Simon Be., on Flickr

Recommendations from Magnum are Tsukiji market, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Kabukicho, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi park, and Shinjuku Gyoen. Also Asakusa and Ueno.

These are all central areas loaded with tourists. Worth seeing and photographing of course, but why not get off the beaten track a bit. Nakano, Kichijoji, Jiyugaoka, Sanya...

 

[MIkhail]

Since you asked... It seems to me you have all the wrong questions in mind.

I live in suburbs of Detroit and my favorite subject - ruined burn houses, graffiti and people of Detroit. I am sure you run much less risk of being hurt than I am and I was never physically hurt. Unless you are really really unlucky, it is up to you weather you will get hurt or will have a good time. What I am trying to say- people feel fear and they feel confidence. Do not snick around. Do not hide camera (most important). Watch the situation. Hang around for a while before start taking pictures of somebody specific. You will see weather he/she is OK with it or not. Most likely they will be OK, dont care or ask for the print (I routinely print some portraits taken on my "feeding grounds" places like market and such and bring them to people). You can promise to send digital file and take emails.
More importantly, act like you know what you are doing and have a full rights to do so. And you will be OK.

P.S.
"Where to shoot in Tokyo?" - any-fricking-where!!! Pictures are everywhere.

 

[Ong]

Having been with Jon this evening and having shot with him in the area (and stayed in the area) more than my fair share. It's not particularly bad. As Jon would have mentioned, it is quite touristy and safe even though it's touted as being a red light district.

Jon may remember when I was just blatantly shooting with a flash in kabukicho

 

[sr1200]

Thanks guys. I routinely shoot in Seoul and other large cities, but this will be my first time in sections of Tokyo and some of the Yakuza warnings seemed pretty strong. Thanks for the comments.

Also, if anyone has a bilingual friend who wouldn't mind being my fixer for an evening or two, I'd appreciate the help. We could work out some compensation.

 

[maddoc]

I have been stopped from taking photos a couple of times in Kabukicho during day time in certain streets because some people there do not want their pictures taken for good reason. Other than that most places in Tokyo are safe for tourists.

Depending on the project you are planning for this work shop other areas like Shimokitazawa, Kichijoji, Ogikubo, Nakano might be more interesting to get off the beaten tracks.

 

[sjones]

For two years, I lived in Okubo, Shinjuku, which is adjacent Kabukichou on the north side. Not to be caviler or purely anecdotal, but the area is safe for foreigners.

To be sure, Kabukichou is Tokyo’s largest red light district, and it records some of the country’s highest crime rates; or at least it used to—-some ‘gentrification’ has been seeping in during the past decade. Still, most crime is gang on gang, or local on local.

In any event, I was an “American with camera,” even late at night—-even managed to get a decent shot of some yakuza out on a midnight stroll in the process. On one particularly lovely Sunday morning, came across a yakuza ceremony taking place outdoors. In simple Japanese, asked one of the guys if it was OK to photograph, since an inconspicuous shot was not possible. Got a grunt, which I interpreted as “go away.” I went away.

Also, if you’re missing Seoul cuisine while there, Okubo is Tokyo’s “Little Korea.”

All of this said, it is an urban environment, crimes of opportunity occur, and lots of intoxicated folks during nighttime. Be alert and be respectful and you should generally be OK.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

I'm an American in Japan with a camera, don't worry, the natives are friendly!
Sunday afternoon, Ginza Tokyo

 

[sr1200]

Thanks to all, and thanks to maddoc for the below recommendations too!

Depending on the project you are planning for this work shop other areas like Shimokitazawa, Kichijoji, Ogikubo, Nakano might be more interesting to get off the beaten tracks.

 

[jonmanjiro]

This is as about as serious as I've experienced when told/signaled not to take a photo.


Yurakucho - no photo (yes photo) by Jon, on Flickr


NO PHOTO! by Jon, on Flickr

 

[leo mm]

I'd feel safer with an expensive camera in Kabukicho at 2 AM than in New York City at any time of day.

 

[Frontman]

When are you coming out? I live in Roppongi, at Midtown, which is walking distance from Shinjuku or Shibuya. Personally-speaking, these areas have been machine-gunned by photographers for decades. For myself, I prefer to shoot outside Tokyo, in the surrounding districts and countryside. You're welcome to visit while you're in town, I wouldn't mind showing you around.

 

[tunalegs]

Cats is a good subject for Tokyo.

 

[sr1200]

Undoubtedly, the area has been "machinegunned." However, two things are at play: #1 the location of the workshop is Tokyo, with daily critiques in the city, so the ability to go outside the city limit is not there. #2 it's an effort to create a storyline, not to necessarily create something never done before. If both happen, hooray for me, but that's not technically within the mission scope.

Now, if there's a better, more engaging story location, I'm all ears, as I really don't know Tokyo at all. Having said that, and looking through the location recommendations from the class and doing google image searches, I'm interested in focusing on some dark underbelly stories, or some quasi-creepy costume fashion (which I think would be really visually stunning, but hard to get subjects NOT to pose).

 

[Nowhereman]

Taking pictures in Tokyo is like shooting fish in a barrel compared to taking pictures of people in large western cities. Tokyo is made up of the equivalent of various "villages", each with a different character. This Magnum list you got seems trite. There are quite a few books in English that deal with the various areas of Tokyo, one that comes to mind is Footloose in Tokyo that I recall from some years ago. You can look at some of these books or do a web search on various neighborhoods, and decide what you're interested in.

For example, Jimbocho-Kanda has old bookstores, used manga stores and art supply stores; Ochanomizu has musical instrument and sport equipment stores; there are neighborhoods that sell sushi knives, and so on. The variety seems endless, so you need to figure out what you want to photograph.

And there are many types of night life from Roppongi to Ginza to Kabukicho.

Also, I don't think you need a fixer for a workshop.

_______________
Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine

 

[sjones]

A trillion photos taken every millisecond across the globe; everywhere has been machined gun, everything is a potential cliche. As I’m sure you likely know already, it’s your personal interest and creative take on the subject that matters.

 

[kuuan]

yes, the areas chosen simply seem to be 'the' most visited and photographed of the city. I know Tokyo very little but believe that there are less tourtistic areas of Tokyo that offer own, traditional charms. I am thinking e.g. of Nihonbashihamacho ( old drinking and eating places ) and Sendagi, also the area east of it towards Yanaka cementary ( on Nihonbashihamacho: http://nihombashi-tokyo.com/history/191.html Sendagi: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2012/05/27/environment/rolling-around-sendagi/#.WKWNUH-_aAU and: http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/areas/areamap/yanaka.html I am curious if anyone who knows Tokyo much better than me thinks of these suggestions and possibly add other places with similar taste )

 

[jonmanjiro]

Asakusa is tourist central. Prepare to be *totally* overwhelmed there, especially during sakura season and other peak tourist times.
Sendagi/Yanaka never really used to be a tourist destination, but it has become one in recent years for people looking to get away from the main tourist spots, thus becoming one of the main tourist spots.
I don't know much about Nihonbashihamacho.

 

[kuuan]

right, I had edited my post and left out Asakusa, you must have missed that. To mention however the area south of it, Kotobuki, no tourists, neither local nor foreign to be seen there but one can find a number of old, interesting, traditional workshops.
You are living in Yokohama, so near, I hope you will find time to walk around Nihonbashihamacho, I had a most memorable evening drinking sake in one of various old, small places with old, local men who told me that they have been coming, pretty much daily, for some 40 or 50 years 😉

 

[sr1200]

A trillion photos taken every millisecond across the globe; everywhere has been machined gun, everything is a potential cliche. As I’m sure you likely know already, it’s your personal interest and creative take on the subject that matters.

Ain't that the truth.. every time THAT thought goes through my mind I consider selling my camera gear


So lets not go there... 🙁