off to Tokyo

[ath]

Hello,

I'm probably off to Japan for a business trip in about two weeks. If we are lucky, we have a free weekend in Tokyo.

Since this is my first visit to Japan, I'd like to hear your advice regarding
1. places to visit and photograph in Tokyo
2. shops regarding films and film gear (new and used). This would be Canon EOS, Leica M (and compatible) and Minolta MF as well as film, mainly b&w. How are the prices compared to Europe?

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks &

 

[gr82bart]

Try this site: http://photojpn.org/

Also, do a search on "Japan" or "Tokyo". There are a lot of threads on Japan and Tokyo here.

Regards, Art.

 

[Tony Egan]

My experience is 2nd hand gear is very expensive but usually in superb condition - 100% working order recently serviced to LN etc.

Harajuku/Omotesando area on a Sunday afternoon is a lot of fun. Many bands, street performance etc and you can round out the day with a walk through the park to the temple and catch some traditional japanese weddings in progress.

http://www.jref.com/practical/yoyogi_meiji_jingu_harajuku_omotesando.shtml

 

[firecracker]

Although I live pretty far from Tokyo and hardly visit there, I get asked the same question every once in a while. The following is what I told another fellow not long ago.

For mostly new stuff:

Yodobashi Camera
http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/index/index.html

Map Camera
http://www.mapcamera.com/

Bic Camera
http://www.biccamera.com/

Yodobashi is the mecca, but that doesn't mean they have everything unlike B&H. Map Camera deals with used gears also, and it's a pretty good store. Bic Camera is a corporate chain and you can find stores in other big cities besides Tokyo.

For used ones at good price (like KEH-ish):

Fujiya Camera
http://www.fujiya-camera.co.jp/

Camera No Nitto
http://www.nitto-camera.co.jp/

These two stores above are in the area called Nakano, and if you take a train (JR line) and get off at Nakano stop it's right near the stores. You take the north exit. Fujiya Camera has a good map:

http://www.fujiya-camera.co.jp/floorguide.shtml

And Camera No Nitto is a litle north of it within a walking distance.

For Leica, I don't know any of them personally, but if you go to Ginza district, check out:

http://www.sukiya.co.jp/sukiya.S.top.html

Also in Ginza, this shop has some variety:

http://www.ginichi.com/

I don't know the prices in Europe, but compared to the prices in the U.S., more expensive in general. The only big benefit you can get in the Japanese market is that you can find the Japanese-only products that you wish you had in your market...

To take photos, wherever you feel like. Just take a walk and snap. I think the whole culture is so unique and peculiar. Oh, the famous Tsukiji fish market (where you can watch big tuna getting chopped up) will probably be removed to a new location in the near future, so check that one out if you have a chance. A lot of fish sellers are currently opposing this plan because the new location is so contaminated and cannot be clean for selling fish.

 

[kunihiko]

Harajuku/Omotesando area was very famous for street performers and amateur rock bands at "Hokoten" on Sunday, until it ended years ago. You can still see many kids in strange costume at Harajuku, but the Shibuya Center-Gai would be better place to see young girl/boy culture. Or Akihabara for electric thingies, Otaku-cultures, Maid-Fashions(and well known "Maid Cafe" if you like).

For traditional things, many visit Asakusa and Fukagawa area.
http://www.jref.com/practical/asakusa.shtml
http://www.jref.com/practical/fukagawa.shtml
If you were at July 14 or 24, there is a fair at Sugamo Togenuki-Jizou. No young, but old people.

Here is a Japanese web site which lists events in and around Tokyo.
http://www.enjoytokyo.jp/OD004Search.html?request=NEXT_MONTH&ODEKAKE_ID=11&DATE=2007/07
The biggest summer festivals were in June, but we have many small but traditional events in this time of year. Most of them are on evening or night.
Some of them should be fun for a visiter.

If you were lucky to be here in time, you could watch fireworks in and around Tokyo.
Dead Link Removed


As for shops, I recommend Shinjuku(west side).
Yodobashi-Camera for new gear and films, Map-camera and Chuko-Camera-Ichiba for used.
Prices are higher than in Europe as far as I heard from an APUGer from there.

 

[ath]

Thanks for your advice, guys. Lots to check out.