#12
Shinjuku West
Shinjuku West
[pinholecam] Wandering in Tokyo
- Thread starter pinholecam
- Start date
#13
Passed this when going home after a long day.
The Tokyo Tower is visible around many of the small streets and alleys surrounding it.
Certainly worth exploring if one has time, rather than the more usual spot which is at the base of the tower itself.
#14
Sensoji (also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is very popular with tourists.
Conveniently located near the Asakusa subway station and attractive, and big as a temple.
The temple was built in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple, but it sure does not show its age.
To avoid the crowds, the best is to go early and on a weekday.
#15
Another thing I like about Sensoji is that it has no 'airs'
At least from a photographer's perspective.
No minders or security that stop photographers or use of tripods. (which can be common enough in some sites)
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tigershiok
Senior Member
the red turned out magnificent with a good tonality. nice.
#16
Sensoji is also called Asakusa Kannon Temple, Kannon being GuanYin for us Chinese.
The legend was that 2 fishermen brothers found the statue of Kannon along the Sumida river and built a temple dedicated to Kannon.
#18
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#19
#20
Perhaps this is the time I start to wander...
Meiji Jingu and Sensoji are right smack on the must visit list of any tourist visiting Tokyo.
I found my way in Asakasa, which is full of nice looking CBD office buildings, but an impressive stone Torii and its flight of steps (and escalator) up the hill caught my attention while walking along the road. (this is a CBD with buildings like Shenton Way so this Torii really stands out)
I ventured up and found a nice little gem of a Shrine, Hie Shrine.
#21
The reason why I call Hie Shrine a 'little gem' is because its easily accessible (ie. near Asakasa stn), not frequented by tourists, rather big for a shrine, colorful/nice shrine and importantly, has quite a few of the things considered 'iconic' to a visit to Japan and one of its temples.
Like this series of red Torii leading up to the side entrance of the shrine.
No need to go to a more famous location like in Kyoto for example.
I would have missed this if I did not venture a bit more than the popping into the main shrine entrance, take a few shots and leave.
The side entrance does not look like much too until one gets close enough to see the leading steps and torii.
RanchoRelaxo
Member
Nice photos bro. I have organised a trip to Tokyo next month - 2 days design project and 6 for just shooting. I have been to Japan before, but always with my wife. Now because my Krisflyer miles are expiring I get a pass from wife to go 
What sort of set up did you take with you? Thx
What sort of set up did you take with you? ThxNice photos bro. I have organised a trip to Tokyo next month - 2 days design project and 6 for just shooting. I have been to Japan before, but always with my wife. Now because my Krisflyer miles are expiring I get a pass from wife to go
Thanks.
You are a lucky guy (can claim miles for a photo trip to Jpn)
I'm probably giving bad advice on gear, because I carried 3 systems with me.
Pentax DSLR, Pentax Q and Sigma DP1m
The photos with the Q are covered here :
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1292695&goto=newpost
The photos so far are with the Pentax K30 (DSLR)
Lenses : DA15ltd; FA*24/2; DA40/2.8XS; FA*85/1.4
I also carried a modified panosaurus brought from Photosphere as I knew I would use it for views wider than the 15mm can give.
I usually travel with less, typically the K30 and a 3 lens kit; DA15ltd + 24mm or 31mm or 35mm + 77mm or 85mm or 135mm
Hope that helps and enjoy your upcoming trip.
RanchoRelaxo
Member
ah okay... I dont know much about the Pentax's, havent touched one since the late 80's.
Did you use a tripod much when you were there? I'm debating whether I take mine or just break it down and bring the monopod instead.
Right now I'm taking:
Olympus OMD, Olympus 12mm, 45mm, and 75mm (I'm looking to buy a 2nd hand 12-35mm panasonic when I'm there)
Sony RX100 II
Gorillapod
Mini Gorillapod
MacAir 11"
The comp and any extras can stay in my room while I walk the streets.
Did you use a tripod much when you were there? I'm debating whether I take mine or just break it down and bring the monopod instead.
Right now I'm taking:
Olympus OMD, Olympus 12mm, 45mm, and 75mm (I'm looking to buy a 2nd hand 12-35mm panasonic when I'm there)
Sony RX100 II
Gorillapod
Mini Gorillapod
MacAir 11"
The comp and any extras can stay in my room while I walk the streets.
Whatever system, its still the same combi for me, a UWA, a 'normal' and a short tele.
It has worked well for me all the time for travels.
In fact, your equivalent FL for the m4/3 is about the same as what I brought. (but APS-c of course)
Generally I used the Q7 for 'normal' lens (street photography) and far reach (200mm) duty (yours would be the RX100)
The DSLR was mainly for landscapes and some really shallow DOF stuff. (will be OMD for your case)
I used the tripod a lot. (YMMV)
There will be places where no tripods are allowed though.
I've not covered those places in this thread yet.
But some temples, castles, high vantage points (paid) do not allow tripods.
This is where a minipod or gorilla pod can come in handy.
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#22
Here's another one... the "temple up the flight of stairs shot" .
Of course there are many spots that can have this, just that this one is convenient to get to right in Tokyo itself and not littered with tourists.
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#23
Its hard to avoid buildings for gardens in Tokyo.
I had a few marked out to visit if I could, but since I could not get onto Google maps in JPN w/o the internet access I mentioned in the earlier post I just visited the ones which were easier to reach.
It seems that the best times to visit a park in Tokyo is in Spring or Autumn.
I've seen magnificent photos of such gardens in full Sakura bloom or fiery autumn reds and oranges, but in Summer, its just green everywhere.
This is Hama Rikyu Garden, which is near Tsuikiji Fish Market.
I ventured here after a very early visit to the market and reach at about 9am, by that time, the Sun was more like 12pm type sun here. (ie. hot and not so nice for photos)
But just make the best of it....
#24
Hama Rikyu features seawater ponds which change levels with the tides that date back to the Edo period.
Not at its best during summer, but still a good break from all the cityscapes in Tokyo.
#25
#26
Odaiba is best described as Japan's Sentosa.
A fun filled island of shopping centers, accessible coast and many popular anime themed stores.
This is the famous life sized Gundam in Diver City in Odaiba.
Unfortunately it was very hot and sunny when I got there at 1pm (poor light for landscapes) but started to rain by the time the light was supposed to mellow at 4pm.
Also moody skies when I managed to locate the Gundam, so my imagined pict of Gundam over a blue sky background was not to be.
There are lots of things to photograph in Odaiba and certainly worth a visit.
The Rail link to Odaiba, Statue of Liberty, Gundam, Amusement parks, Flyer and Rainbow bridge just to name a few.
