Buying film in Japan

[skysh4rk]

こんにちは！

I am off to Japan on Saturday for three weeks and I was hoping to check that 120 film was still sold in store in the Kyōto station and Akihabara branches of Yodobashi.

Can anyone confirm?

I am thinking of buying most of my film when I arrive, rather than carrying everything during travel, although I'm having nightmares that they suddenly stop stocking in store or, knowing my luck, just happen to be out of stock of the emulsions that I want to buy (400H and 160NS).

ありがとう!

 

[mooseontheloose]

They do and they don't, at least in Kyoto. All the major players are represented at Yodobashi - Kodak, Ilford, Fuji, Rollei - plus smaller players like Lomo and sometimes Cinestill. But - whether or not they have the amount of stock that you want is another story. For example, they may only have one or two pro packs available, or just a handful of individual boxes. Now, if they don't have the amount you want, they can easily order it for you and it will arrive (in all likelihood) the next day, or you can order it yourself from the website and have it delivered to your hotel (even faster). BIC Camera next to the station has a small selection of film and may have extra rolls if Yodobashi doesn't. And the branch in Osaka, right outside Osaka/Umeda station, also has a lot of stock (although their customer service leaves a lot to be desired).

The Yodobashis in Tokyo are definitely better stocked than the one in Kyoto. I've only been to the Akihabara branch once, but they had a nice selection there, with lots of stock available. However, in my limited experience, I have found that the branch in Shinjuku really is the best in terms of films available.

Edit: I just realised you are focused on colour film, but the advice still applies.

 

[skysh4rk]

They do and they don't, at least in Kyoto. All the major players are represented at Yodobashi - Kodak, Ilford, Fuji, Rollei - plus smaller players like Lomo and sometimes Cinestill. But - whether or not they have the amount of stock that you want is another story. For example, they may only have one or two pro packs available, or just a handful of individual boxes. Now, if they don't have the amount you want, they can easily order it for you and it will arrive (in all likelihood) the next day, or you can order it yourself from the website and have it delivered to your hotel (even faster). BIC Camera next to the station has a small selection of film and may have extra rolls if Yodobashi doesn't. And the branch in Osaka, right outside Osaka/Umeda station, also has a lot of stock (although their customer service leaves a lot to be desired).

The Yodobashis in Tokyo are definitely better stocked than the one in Kyoto. I've only been to the Akihabara branch once, but they had a nice selection there, with lots of stock available. However, in my limited experience, I have found that the branch in Shinjuku really is the best in terms of films available.

Edit: I just realised you are focused on colour film, but the advice still applies.

Many thanks for the detailed response.

Right, I suppose I will just carry what I expect to shoot, as I have film already in the fridge here and it's one fewer thing to worry about while I'm over there. if I realise that I'm going through more than I originally anticipated, it sounds like I should be able to pick up a few boxes of 400H/160NS in Shinjuku/Akihabara to top up my supplies if necessary (we're in Tokyo for the last week). If I've got the film already, it leaves more time for sightseeing and film camera shopping too.

 

[BetterSense]

Akihabara Yodobashis had Provia 100 when I went there a few months ago. But their selection was very small and the actual film fridge was turned off. It was just a display of empty boxes, and then you took it to the counter and they got the "real" film out of a small fridge behind the counter. This was far from a glory I remember from just a couple years ago, when their film selection was almost jaw-dropping, but at least they did have the Provia I needed.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Akihabara Yodobashis had Provia 100 when I went there a few months ago. But their selection was very small and the actual film fridge was turned off. It was just a display of empty boxes, and then you took it to the counter and they got the "real" film out of a small fridge behind the counter. This was far from a glory I remember from just a couple years ago, when their film selection was almost jaw-dropping, but at least they did have the Provia I needed.

The one in Kyoto is like this too, or should I say was. I was there last weekend and the display fridge was "on" for the first time since I've been in Kyoto! It's not completely full, but probably half the display is the real deal.

That said, most of the time, you take the empty box and bring it to the counter. But don't get discouraged if you don't see the box of the film you need - sometimes they haven't replaced the boxes (or they disappear altogether) as the film fridge behind the counter often has more than what is in the display case. It never hurts to take a second look (or to ask).

 

[Nuff]

PM sent! If you want larger quantities shipped to hotel you can use amazon.co.jp. You can set delivery date and it's usually cheaper, even with all the points yodobashi/bic provides. And I'm sure as a tourists you don't want to mess with them. But it's nice to go and see Yodobashi in Shinjuku.

But like mentioned, sometimes they are out of stock or don't have the quantity on hand.

 

[skysh4rk]

Wow, thanks for all of the advice. I'm looking forward to heading off on Saturday.

 

[RattyMouse]

Kyoto is a phenomenal city to walk around with a camera. I wish to god I could go there sometime this summer. Been there 3 times and I never get tired of that city. It's just amazing. Be sure to hit the off the beaten path temples. They are FAR better than the touristy ones. Only Ryoan-ji was a main temple that I enjoyed. The rest were far too sterile and Disneylandeque for my liking.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Funny, I found the city to be just like any other city in Japan. Nothing special... but then all those temples! Amazing.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Funny, I found the city to be just like any other city in Japan. Nothing special... but then all those temples! Amazing.

+1

 

[RattyMouse]

Funny, I found the city to be just like any other city in Japan. Nothing special... but then all those temples! Amazing.

Uh yeah.....

New York City is just like any other city, except for the tall buildings.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Just my opinion, RattyMouse. Just my opinion...

 

[RattyMouse]

Just my opinion, RattyMouse. Just my opinion...

Well, it's hard to understand your opinion. Kyoto is like no other city in the world, all because of the massive concentration of Buddhist temples, representing all major Japanese schools of Buddhism. It's hard to comprehend Kyoto as the same as any other Japanese city.

 

[mooseontheloose]

Well, it's hard to understand your opinion. Kyoto is like no other city in the world, all because of the massive concentration of Buddhist temples, representing all major Japanese schools of Buddhism. It's hard to comprehend Kyoto as the same as any other Japanese city.

Not everyone is into Buddhism and/or can understand the subtle differences between the schools and temples. Don't get me wrong, Kyoto is special for these and other reasons, but if you take away all the temples and shrines, it's just another Japanese city full of concrete (and I can say this having lived in many concrete cities in this country, and having visited almost every prefecture (only 5 more to go!)). I've known a lot of people (both in person and online) who were disappointed with Kyoto because it did not live up to their expectations of what this traditional Japanese city should look or feel like. Many were much more impressed with Tokyo. I know people who've lived in Japan for years and have never bothered coming to Kyoto (although, even for me, that's a bit odd). However, since moving here 3.5 years ago I've come to like Kyoto much more than I did in the past, and I've taken to exploring it in different ways (mostly to avoid the massive amount of tourists).

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Thanks, Rachelle. That's what I wanted to say.

 

[RattyMouse]

Not everyone is into Buddhism and/or can understand the subtle differences between the schools and temples. Don't get me wrong, Kyoto is special for these and other reasons, but if you take away all the temples and shrines, it's just another Japanese city full of concrete (and I can say this having lived in many concrete cities in this country, and having visited almost every prefecture (only 5 more to go!)). I've known a lot of people (both in person and online) who were disappointed with Kyoto because it did not live up to their expectations of what this traditional Japanese city should look or feel like. Many were much more impressed with Tokyo. I know people who've lived in Japan for years and have never bothered coming to Kyoto (although, even for me, that's a bit odd). However, since moving here 3.5 years ago I've come to like Kyoto much more than I did in the past, and I've taken to exploring it in different ways (mostly to avoid the massive amount of tourists).

Going to Kyoto without an interest in Buddhism is pretty weird. That's like going to the Vatican and having no interest in Catholicism. If I had no interest in Buddhist Temples, Kyoto would be the last place I'd visit.

What city isnt full of concrete? That's what makes them cities. Take the concrete and add tens of thousands of cherry trees and you have something truly special.

To anyone interested in Japanese Buddhism and the resulting architecture it produces, Kyoto is a sublime place to visit.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I went there with no interest in Buddhism... but I was interested in the temples...including Shinto shrines. I have a Jewish friend who visited the Vatican. No interest in Catholicism. Only the architecture. Took great photos (he eats bacon..sssssh, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone).
I agree with your last sentence.

 

[etn]

This was far from a glory I remember from just a couple years ago, when their film selection was almost jaw-dropping, but at least they did have the Provia I needed.

Yes, I remember having such big eyes 10 years ago seeing the film department of Bic or Yodobashi, as large as the food department in a supermarket! Now it has faded significantly but film is still available in 135, 120 and large format. I found Tri-X to be more expensive than in Germany, but I think we are blessed here.

The stores I would recommend are Yodobashi in Akihabara, as well as Bic and Yodobashi near Shinjuku Station in Tokyo. If I remember correctly there is a Bic right next to the central station in Kyoto, but I do not know what kind of film they carry (if at all). Stock in Tokyo or have it sent to your hotel to be on the safe side.

Enjoy Japan, it is a fascinating country!
This one (one of my all-time favorites) was made in Kyoto with my Rolleiflex back in 2007:

 

[RattyMouse]

I went there with no interest in Buddhism... but I was interested in the temples...including Shinto shrines. I have a Jewish friend who visited the Vatican. No interest in Catholicism. Only the architecture. Took great photos (he eats bacon..sssssh, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone).
I agree with your last sentence.

What divide is there that interests you in Kyoto's temples but makes you completely disinterested in Buddhism? How can the buildings be interesting but the underlying philosophy that caused man to build them be uninteresting?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have my reasons and I choose not to share them. Time to let it go.

 

[Athiril]

I have to second for future readers that Shinjuku stores both BIC camera and Yodobashi are the better options for picking up film. Yodobashi in Shinjuku is sectioned off into many different buildings so you have to figure out which one you need, but theyre all next to each other, there's also some second hand camera shops in the same area as Shinjuku Yodobashi. Akihabara, Yodobashi is also good from memory. Near Yodobashi Akihabara there is also quite a good 2nd hand camera shop across the street, on the 4th level, kind of looks like you're entering an apartment building rather than shops, but if you search for camera in katakana next to Yodobashi in Akihabara you should find it.