Kyushu Photo Supply Stores, Tokyo Custom Developing

[silvergelatin]

I'm heading to Japan (again) next month, and would like to know if there are any places to buy film in the Kyushu region, specifically Miyazaki. Also, upon returning to Tokyo at the end of my trip, I'd like to develop my b/w film rather than take it through the airport. I know and have used the major labs already (Horiuchi, Create, National), but does anyone know of any custom place with more developer selection (e.g. Rodinal)?

ありがとう！

 

[howardpan]

There are a few Kitamura Camera stores in Miyazaki. But my own experience, your best bet is to order online at Yodobashi and have them deliver it to your home/hotel. Outside of Tokyo, these camera stores seem to have little film in inventory. I was in Fukuoka last week, and I could not find 120 Fuji Acros 100 at Bic Camera. Only available in 135 format. Kodak and Ilford were available in 120 but more expensive than what they typically cost me.

Tokyo is a different story. I could even find 4x5 and 8x10 there. So just order it online.

 

[silvergelatin]

There are a few Kitamura Camera stores in Miyazaki. But my own experience, your best bet is to order online at Yodobashi and have them deliver it to your home/hotel. Outside of Tokyo, these camera stores seem to have little film in inventory. I was in Fukuoka last week, and I could not find 120 Fuji Acros 100 at Bic Camera. Only available in 135 format. Kodak and Ilford were available in 120 but more expensive than what they typically cost me.

Tokyo is a different story. I could even find 4x5 and 8x10 there. So just order it online.

Thanks for the info! That's a good idea about ordering. I could probably even ship it to myself from Tokyo rather than take it through Haneda. Although in the past, their security was very accommodating with hand inspections.

 

[howardpan]

I have always requested and received hand inspection for my photographic material at Japanese airports. Korea no. Taiwan and Hong Kong yes.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I also think Tokyo is your best bet. That said, when I used to live in Kyushu, I would always pick up film in Fukuoka at Yodobashi (Bic is useless). But it's been a couple of years, so I don't know what the situation is there now. I used to live in Kumamoto and could get same day (2 hours) developing for slide film, but I never got black and white done there.

 

[silvergelatin]

I also think Tokyo is your best bet. That said, when I used to live in Kyushu, I would always pick up film in Fukuoka at Yodobashi (Bic is useless). But it's been a couple of years, so I don't know what the situation is there now. I used to live in Kumamoto and could get same day (2 hours) developing for slide film, but I never got black and white done there.

Ahh, I did not see this reply. Thanks. I won't be going to Fukuoka this time, unfortunately.

 

[silvergelatin]

I've added Nagasaki to my itinerary. I'm heading out with a good amount of film, but just in case I run out... anyplace there? I saw some old web pages talking about Gento, but didn't know if that was still around. Thanks!

 

[mooseontheloose]

I know you're not going to Fukuoka, but honestly, in Kyushu your best bet is Fukuoka, or to order online. I'm not saying there aren't little mom and pop shops still selling used cameras and film in any of the major cities, but unless you know someone who can point out the shop to you, it may be hard to find. I've been in many cities across different regions that, after a search online, yielded several possibilities of a shop or two selling film, and I have wasted up to a day chasing down those shops only to find that they were all closed and abandoned (something the internet/google maps does not update well). It would have been better to order straight from Yodobashi. My Japanese is terrible, but I navigate the site using google translate, and I have been able to order a lot that way. It usually arrives the next day, or for special items, within 2 or 3 days.

Most cities have a Kitamura Camera and IF they sell film, in all likelihood it will be various flavours of Fuji colour neg. That's it. No slides, no black and white, nothing bigger than 35mm. Actually, that would be true of some supermarkets and/or convenience stores - there may be a few 3-packs of Fuji colour neg, but that's a big if.

In any event, I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[silvergelatin]

I know you're not going to Fukuoka, but honestly, in Kyushu your best bet is Fukuoka, or to order online. I'm not saying there aren't little mom and pop shops still selling used cameras and film in any of the major cities, but unless you know someone who can point out the shop to you, it may be hard to find. I've been in many cities across different regions that, after a search online, yielded several possibilities of a shop or two selling film, and I have wasted up to a day chasing down those shops only to find that they were all closed and abandoned (something the internet/google maps does not update well). It would have been better to order straight from Yodobashi. My Japanese is terrible, but I navigate the site using google translate, and I have been able to order a lot that way. It usually arrives the next day, or for special items, within 2 or 3 days.

Most cities have a Kitamura Camera and IF they sell film, in all likelihood it will be various flavours of Fuji colour neg. That's it. No slides, no black and white, nothing bigger than 35mm. Actually, that would be true of some supermarkets and/or convenience stores - there may be a few 3-packs of Fuji colour neg, but that's a big if.

In any event, I hope you enjoy your trip!

私も日本語が上手じゃないです！

I would have thought that Nagasaki would have had some reliable options, but I will plan ahead. Thanks for the fast response!

 

[mooseontheloose]

Nagasaki is not a big city so there may not be that many options (I hope I'm wrong). Hiroshima has nothing. Even Kyoto doesn't have that many options. Even though Yodobashi may have the empty Tri-X boxes in the display cases, they usually have no stock. And everytime I go there, the film display case keeps dwindling. Which is why ordering online is preferred.

 

[silvergelatin]

Nagasaki is not a big city so there may not be that many options (I hope I'm wrong). Hiroshima has nothing. Even Kyoto doesn't have that many options. Even though Yodobashi may have the empty Tri-X boxes in the display cases, they usually have no stock. And everytime I go there, the film display case keeps dwindling. Which is why ordering online is preferred.

Yeah, I remember going down the list of out of stock films at Kyoto Yodobashi. Ended up with a bunch of $10 Kentmere, and that was all they had at the time.. I think Camera Naniwa had some Tri-x, but I might be thinking of their Osaka locations. I know Naniwa had great deals on old Leica glass, which I snatched up.

 

[mnemosyne]

In Kyoto to my best knowledge there is one shop left with a good supply of film, that is Sanjo Sakuraya Shashinkiten 三條サクラヤ写真機店 on Kawaramachi about half way between Shijo and Sanjo, on the right hand side when walking towards Sanjo. They have a reasonable selection of b&w and color film in 35mm and 120, and the location is very convenient in downtown Kyoto. Very friendly staff and also worth a visit when you are looking for used analog gear.

 

[mooseontheloose]

In Kyoto to my best knowledge there is one shop left with a good supply of film, that is Sanjo Sakuraya Shashinkiten 三條サクラヤ写真機店 on Kawaramachi about half way between Shijo and Sanjo, on the right hand side when walking towards Sanjo. They have a reasonable selection of b&w and color film in 35mm and 120, and the location is very convenient in downtown Kyoto. Very friendly staff and also worth a visit when you are looking for used analog gear.

Have you been there recently? I like to go there to look at their used cameras, but I would never buy film from there - very limited selection, and old - I've seen expiry dates that are years old. None of the film is refrigerated and they have minimal options. That said, it's been a few months since I've been there so maybe things have changed.

 

[BetterSense]

When I go to Tokyo every couple years, I no longer buy film there. I just buy it from B+H (free shipping!), and carry it in my carry-on both ways. This is cheaper and easier now; the local prices and selection, even in Tokyo, is not amazing anymore; only the big Yodobashi stores can be counted on to have film at all. I used to like buying Japan-only products, but anymore, if it's not something I can get regularly, then it's not part of my usual workflow, so there's not much charm in using it even when I can get it, because I won't be used to it. Sad but true. I'm an X-ray-damage denialist, so I happily let my film get scanned in my carry-on and don't even worry about it.

 

[mnemosyne]

Have you been there recently? I like to go there to look at their used cameras, but I would never buy film from there - very limited selection, and old - I've seen expiry dates that are years old. None of the film is refrigerated and they have minimal options. That said, it's been a few months since I've been there so maybe things have changed.

Last time I went there was on my last trip to Japan in 2014 I think. I bought some Neopan 400 (or was it Trix?) in 35mm at the time and didn't notice anything unusual.

 

[silvergelatin]

Bumping my old thread, as I am heading back to Kyushu AGAIN this year, but this time only Fukuoka. Are there any pro labs for develop-only, primarily C-41? Are the big stores like BIC okay for developing, or is the quality similar to a US minilab?