Tips needed for Japan trip


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LogicA

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May 14, 2005
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Hi bros, I am going Japan for holiday soon and will be at Tokyo, Osaka etc... think its a central Japan tour

Have some questions, hopefully those who went Japan can help me
1) Can I bring a tripod up JAL airlines?
2) Which one do u prefer, tripod or monopod....or should I even not bring one?
3) Voltage, I think our battery chargers can convert from 240 to 110 right...saw from the back of it
4) Any other tips? like any good photo location... anything

tks in advance!



..
 

i dun know about the rest, but tripod and monopod is a DEFINITE NO NO NO cannot bring up the plane!

keep them in ur luggage and check in
 

kcuf2 said:
i dun know about the rest, but tripod and monopod is a DEFINITE NO NO NO cannot bring up the plane!

keep them in ur luggage and check in

I did brought tripod on board before, no problem.
Daiba in tokyo is a good place for photo taking. You can see rainbow bridge, status of
liberty and Fuji TV.:)
 

LogicA said:
Hi bros, I am going Japan for holiday soon and will be at Tokyo, Osaka etc... think its a central Japan tour

Have some questions, hopefully those who went Japan can help me
1) Can I bring a tripod up JAL airlines?
2) Which one do u prefer, tripod or monopod....or should I even not bring one?
3) Voltage, I think our battery chargers can convert from 240 to 110 right...saw from the back of it
4) Any other tips? like any good photo location... anything

tks in advance!



..
Package trip I assume?

My suggestion, just enjoy your holiday and keep an open eye. Since this is not a photographic trip, there's a 75% chance u'll end up with just regular holiday snaps.

Enjoy! :)
 

You did not speficy your cam type, my Nikon is a multi voltage charger, so no problem using in Japan, but make sure you bring along a plug convertor...jap is using the 2 pin flat adaptor...like those use in US :thumbsup:
 

I agree Odaiba is a good location for shooting. And if you can, try walking across the Rainbow Bridge instead of taking public transport over. On one side of the bridge, you get the Tokyo Bay view. On the other, you get to see Odaiba (the Fuji TV building and Palette Town's big Ferris Wheel). But do check the opening times of the bridge for pedestrians. Cant remember but I think it closes in the evening at 6-ish.

Other usual locations for photos in Tokyo:
1. Temple at Asakusa
2. Goth girls and others dressed in interesting costumes and makeup at Harajuku. Can also catch youngsters performing with their bands along the sidewalk nearby at Yoyogi park. Meiji Shrine is also just next to the station.
3. You can catch the skyline at the Observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building at Shinjuku. Its free.
4. Tokyo Tower at night. If you have $$ then go in, otherwise can just take pix of the tower from the base cos its rather expensive to go up.
5. The "famous" junction at Shibuya.
 

Are you on a packaged tour or Free & Easy?

You may not have enough time to move around if you are on a packaged tour as they usually run on a tight schedule, so you will be restricted to where they take you and when.

Depending on where you will be lodging in Tokyo and if you can wake up at 3-4am in the morning. The Tsukiji Fish Market Tuna auctions at 5am are a must see and a great photo opportunity. There is a whole day of shooting just in the one place. The auctions don't last long and are usually wrapped up by 6am. Bring along a fast lens (e.g. 50mm f1.8) and a flash for fill. A tripod is essential. Try as much as possible to shoot with available light (although there isn't much of it at that time of day)

http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm

I'd also recommend having a sushi and sashimi meal at one of the nearby Sushi restaurants. The fish is so fresh that the sashimi literally melts in your mouth - a taste sensation not to be missed.

Another place to visit for the photo buff is the JCII camera museum, although I have to admit I was pretty disappointed by the limited range of cameras on display and most of the literature was written in Japanese (Duh!). But worth the visit anyway as there is usually a free photo exhibition by one of the local photographers in the Photo salon in an adjacent building.

http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/top_e.html


In Kyoto (if you are going there), the Inari temple at Fushimi is a must see and another great photo opportunity with the hundreds of bright orangy red Torii lining the steps to the top of a hill.

http://www.japannet.de/kyoto/minami/fushimi.html

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/4e14d/ (this guy's photos are a bit dull colour wise, but they still give you an idea of what to expect - the colours are much brighter and punchier in real life).

There is lots to see in Kyoto and it will take two weeks to cover everything and even then you'd just be scraping the surface. There is so much to take.
 

whoa so fast so many help liao :)

oh ya I am on a package tour for the first week starting from Tokyo then after that I will extend our own to Kyoto for another week, heard there are many temples there...

although I went to very 'wu loo' places in north India before but this time I am really stuck on what to bring haha paiseh man.....

this is a family trip so dun really have time on photography...but given a chance I still wanna get good shots

I will be using 30D with 17-55mm f2.8 only....dun think will bring tripod, flash or even 30D's batt grip hopefully its not under equip :think:
 

LogicA said:
whoa so fast so many help liao :)

oh ya I am on a package tour for the first week starting from Tokyo then after that I will extend our own to Kyoto for another week, heard there are many temples there...

although I went to very 'wu loo' places in north India before but this time I am really stuck on what to bring haha paiseh man.....

this is a family trip so dun really have time on photography...but given a chance I still wanna get good shots

I will be using 30D with 17-55mm f2.8 only....dun think will bring tripod, flash or even 30D's batt grip hopefully its not under equip :think:

So many temples that you will be temple'd out by the end of your holiday. :bsmilie:

A prime tele and a fast normal lens would be helpful too but what you have got is more than sufficient for 80% of shots. A small tripod or monopod is essential actually.

Yes, you are right to leave the VG at home, although a flash is useful at times.

Tip: If you see a line of Japanese citizens queuing outside a eating house or restaurant, it is probably going to be good place to eat and affordable to boot. Normally such places only specialise in and serve only a couple of dishes or just one dish. e.g. Oyakodon, Katsudon, Ramen.

IMO the food in the Kyoto/Osaka area (Kansai region) is a lot nicer than that of Tokyo (Kanto region). Especially the Ramen.

Also while in Kyoto, you've got to try a Kaiseki meal.

http://japanesefood.about.com/od/holidaytraditionalfood/a/kaisekiryori.htm

Not cheap at 8-10K Yen per person but an experience not to be missed as it is so quintessentially Japanese.
 

BRING YOUR TRIPOD!

U can leave that flash head behind in Singapore but whatever u do BRING YOUR TRIPOD!!! A moment of laziness for my last trip got me stuck with plenty of crappy night shots without a tripod in Odaiba. The AS & ISO1600 & ISO3200 for my Minolta could do only so much to help unfortunately.

Unless u are planning on future return trips to Japan, dun let a moment of laziness bust everything.
 

jsbn said:
BRING YOUR TRIPOD!

U can leave that flash head behind in Singapore but whatever u do BRING YOUR TRIPOD!!! A moment of laziness for my last trip got me stuck with plenty of crappy night shots without a tripod in Odaiba. The AS & ISO1600 & ISO3200 for my Minolta could do only so much to help unfortunately.

Unless u are planning on future return trips to Japan, dun let a moment of laziness bust everything.

haha thats what I worry lah!! :bsmilie: are there nice night shots?

really dun wanna regret too...but my laziness is erm taking over haha!:embrass:

maybe I just bring a small tripod and another of those mini ones... dunno monopod can or not leh

anyone had problems with tripod on JAL ??
 

Just back from Japan last month. :)

If you are trying to hand carry the tripod, you might face some problem. The tour guide at Japan warned us that Japanese are quite particular about safety. Why not check-in the tripod? Think it is important for that night shot or group photos.

There is a lot of temples in Japan. Get a map from the airport or hotel. Some of it show a lot of nice place to visit with map to the nearest train station.

If you have time, can visit my homepage some pic I took last month.
 

Not sure about JAL, but I carried stuff like umbrella, tripods onto US bound carriers like Northwest. No problems. If u worry, juz get a tripod bag and check it in. :)

The airport police there is on high alert so don't be surprised when the officer comes over to you with his doggy and sniffs you around. The last time I carried my tripod in my tripod bag (kinda resembled a rifle sling case, big enough for a bangalore tropedo) I got questioned, but no worries. :)

I'm not sure about monopods since I'd never used them (looked pretty flimsy to me). But for the best assurance for nightshots, get ur standard tripod along and not some substandard $20 tripod that breaks with a single pull.

Dun let laziness takeover you. It would only serve to ruin your photos. :)
 

I do hope that the canal near the Glico man in Osaka is already renovated as it was still under construction when I was there.
 

Bring a large wallet............:sweat::sweat:
 

xtemujin said:
I do hope that the canal near the Glico man in Osaka is already renovated as it was still under construction when I was there.
It still is.......sad to say......
 

if you are moving from city to city, buy the JR rail pass. If not pocket confirm one big hole.
 

If he's leaving Japan via Narita and heading from Kyoto to Narita on Shinkansen, plus if he's shuttling around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, down to Hiroshima, Miyajima, etc, etc... yes. Getting the JR Pass would be definitely worth it.

If he's sticking solely in Kyoto for the entire 5 days and taking just a 1-way ride to Narita on Shinkansen, not worth it (as long as he takes Hikari, non-reserved seat & NEX, non-reserved seat ticket. NOT the Nozomi or the reserved seats).
 

No need to bring. Ask TMC for his tripod rental charges :bsmilie: :bsmilie: :bsmilie:
 

Er... Anyone been on a Free and Easy Trip to Hokkaido??!?!?
 

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