Tokyo trip


Bukitimah

Senior Member
Nov 28, 2010
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Singapore
Hi, I am sure there must be some threads before but I search but couldn't find any. I will be going to Tokyo in mid Jan 2016 and have about 3 free days. This is my 2nd trip there but the last time I was there basically enjoying my holidays.

Beside the Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Imperial Palace and garden, are there other exciting places for photography? I won't be bringing my tripod so unlikely any night photography.

Please do share the locations and if possible some guide on how to get there. These must be a day trip because I have already booked the hotel.

Thank you in advance.
 

If I were going to Tokyo I would be studying up on Tokyo Camera Style and Japan Camera Hunter.

Mt. Fuji and Hokusai...I've always wanted to copy some of Hokusai's views of Fuji. Mt Fuji - the Bukit Timah of Japan! :)

And the National Treasure Bonsai trees too.
 

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I've made 2 recent trips to Tokyo and nearby areas.

Kamakura will offer something different and its about an hour away from Tokyo.
Suitable for a full day trip.
Try to rent a bike there and covering the places will be a breeze.

In Tokyo itself, there's Hie Shrine, Odaiba (the life sized Gundam).
Try shooting from Seaside Top or Mori Towers too.

I covered the places and others in the following 2 threads :
(let a bit of travel info there as well)

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1297578&page=5
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474482
 

I've made 2 recent trips to Tokyo and nearby areas.

Kamakura will offer something different and its about an hour away from Tokyo.
Suitable for a full day trip.
Try to rent a bike there and covering the places will be a breeze.

In Tokyo itself, there's Hie Shrine, Odaiba (the life sized Gundam).
Try shooting from Seaside Top or Mori Towers too.

I covered the places and others in the following 2 threads :
(let a bit of travel info there as well)

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1297578&page=5
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474482

ODAIBA is a great place to spend a whole day for sure given it's size and so many wonderful stuff to shoot indoor and door. There is a classic car museum there, a Sony gaming arcade, their scale down version of the Statue of Liberty by the bay, Giant Gundam,..etc.

For Tokyo night life... if you have not gone see the Robot Restaurant. You owe it to yourself to make a booking to be there to really mind blast your eyes in techno colours, robots and chicks heheh

Tsukiji Market if you are into sushi stuff at this famous fish market. You get to see them brin gin the giant tuna for auction and where they cut it up along with other exotic seafood. You need to get up really early to catch this one as entry is limited to a hudred plus person per group. I still have yet to go to one but I was there to walk about at 7am which is already too late heh. And if you want the freshest sashimi.. there is nothing more fresh!!!....

Spend a day overnight at Hakone would be another great time too but given that period, not sure if you could see Mt Fuji. I was not lucky when i was there but there are some great stuff to see there like the outdoor art museum, the two main lakes, the sulphur mines..etc.
 

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ODAIBA is a great place to spend a whole day for sure given it's size and so many wonderful stuff to shoot indoor and door. There is a classic car museum there, a Sony gaming arcade, their scale down version of the Statue of Liberty by the bay..etc.

Spend a day overnight at Hakone would be another great time too but given that period, not sure if you could see Mt Fuji. I was not lucky when i was there but there are some great stuff to see there like the outdoor art museum, the two main lakes, the sulphur mines..etc.



Totally agree! :)
Odaiba got lots to offer for a whole day.

I gave up on those much touted Mt Fuji views. :D
My own conclusion is that the perfect conditions to see it and get good clear picts is very hard and one either has to be very lucky or increase one's chances by staying in the area for a longer period (or just live in Japan).
 

tsukiji market is good..

outside of Tokyo..but day trip is possible would be.
Hakone
Kamakura
like what others had already mentioned.

Another place I would suggest is lake kawaguchi
 

Totally agree! :)
Odaiba got lots to offer for a whole day.

I gave up on those much touted Mt Fuji views. :D
My own conclusion is that the perfect conditions to see it and get good clear picts is very hard and one either has to be very lucky or increase one's chances by staying in the area for a longer period (or just live in Japan).

right.. it really depends on luck but also season..
I went during late march..and i am able to see the mountain quite clearly.
 

At the top of my head with some photos I was look back on and some links to get you some idea and some links. Hope this gets you started. For me I also spent time just walking aimlessly to some extend so .. some places abit harder for me to think where they are hehe.

Odaiba is like an oversize Suntec City + MBS + Esplanade.
(http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html)

Giant Gundam Robot at Odaiba and get experience their Gundam Cafe if you are a fan.
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-9.JPG

Madame Trussard at Odaiba (Got to pay )
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-7.JPG

Mini Liberty statue at Odaiba
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-8.JPG

Odaiba Marine Park - Ferry Services ( you can use this to get to Senso-ji Temple by river on the same Anime ferry in the photo link below)
Jap manga inspired boat - Ferry service at Odaiba Marine Park (http://www.deepjapan.org/a/974)
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014.JPG

History Garage(Toyota Megaweb) - Retro Car Musuem at Odaiba (http://aroundtokyo.net/blog/history-garage/) -Free
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-10.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-12.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-13.JPG


Toyota Megweb Car Showroom. Largest I have ever seen. Like a car mart including some on display are sports cars, concept and racing cars..etc. -Free
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-11.JPG

Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa Temple)
2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-3.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-2.JPG

Tsukiji Fish Market
(http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm)
5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-5.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-6.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-4.JPG

Robot Restaurant ( http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/ ) - Got to pay but worth it plus moderate dinner bits and drinks.
Robots, Blinding bedazzling techno colours and chicks, what's not to love?
Shinjuku, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−7−1
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-15.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-16.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-17.JPG (if you saw the movie Real Steel, you will recognize this robot as it was featured in the movie)
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-18.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-19.JPG
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/1046/medium/Toyko_2014-20.JPG

I would say use the internet to book as many of the tickets to where ever if you can then to do it while you are there. That is what I love about Japan. so advance and customer friendly services and ease of booking things in advance. This is better too as you have English text to read then to be there and trying to talk to them and make bookings. Not sure if you did that last trips you went but the internet has save me some problem with planning the trip.

Oh if you have not already done so, got to pay homage to the most faithful dog in Japan located at Shibuya if you know which dog that is. heh. There are others but I think you already have covered them. All the parks are just too beautiful depending on the time of the year. At the Meiji Park if you are lucky to catch a formal wedding taking pace it would really be fun to shoot shoot but stay respectful.

I can't wait for my next trip there to just spent time revisit all the places to do a proper walk about shooting session. Have a fun trip.

Ortega is a great expert given he has gone Japan a lot more then most folks I know. Have seen a lot of his trip shots on his Faceboy heheh He got his prize winning shot which also got picked up for the Nikon calendar from a trip he did not too long back. My last trip is about the same time as your. If it is sunny, the sky is so damn blue but it can change really quickly. I got some really good blue sky shots of Liberty for about a few hours and then it turn gloomy really quick and that was it. heh

So hope you get lucky with good weather to capture some really nice photos.
 

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Wow, thank you so much for the info. I will spend some time running through them and search the internet for more details. Yes, I been to Mt Fuji, fish market and Hakone, etc. But that was a few years back. Will focus around Tokyo within a day trip this time.

Cheers and thank you.
 

goawaysam's blog got quite useful info.

there was a thread, but i think quite old liao.
 

Wow, thank you so much for the info. I will spend some time running through them and search the internet for more details. Yes, I been to Mt Fuji, fish market and Hakone, etc. But that was a few years back. Will focus around Tokyo within a day trip this time.

Cheers and thank you.


Ya.. I did not put in any of the Hakone on hindsight because it would be too rush to go morning and take the train back. I stayed over night during mine and it was still not enough heheh..

For street shooting Harajuku where the cool kids are is also pretty nice place to shoot.
 

Ya.. I did not put in any of the Hakone on hindsight because it would be too rush to go morning and take the train back. I stayed over night during mine and it was still not enough heheh..

For street shooting Harajuku where the cool kids are is also pretty nice place to shoot.

take note most of the stuff at Hakone closes at 4pm hor.
 

I've made 2 recent trips to Tokyo and nearby areas.

Kamakura will offer something different and its about an hour away from Tokyo.
Suitable for a full day trip.
Try to rent a bike there and covering the places will be a breeze.

In Tokyo itself, there's Hie Shrine, Odaiba (the life sized Gundam).
Try shooting from Seaside Top or Mori Towers too.

I covered the places and others in the following 2 threads :
(let a bit of travel info there as well)

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1297578&page=5
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474482

Hi, I noticed you have been to Nikko. I was reading some post on how to purchase the 'Tobu Nikko Free Pass' but it all sounds so confusing.

Please correct me if I am wrong. First I travel from Tokyo station Tobu Asakusa Station. At Asakusa Station, purchase Tobu Nikko Free Pass at Tobu Sightseeing Service Center. Buy a train ticket from Asakusa and Nikko. Within Nikko, I can use this 'Nikko Free Pass' for the internal travel but pay for entry to some of the shrine?

I have planned for a 1 day trip. Is this 2-day Nikko Free Pass the best deal?

Thank you in advance.
 

Hi, I noticed you have been to Nikko. I was reading some post on how to purchase the 'Tobu Nikko Free Pass' but it all sounds so confusing.

Please correct me if I am wrong. First I travel from Tokyo station Tobu Asakusa Station. At Asakusa Station, purchase Tobu Nikko Free Pass at Tobu Sightseeing Service Center. Buy a train ticket from Asakusa and Nikko. Within Nikko, I can use this 'Nikko Free Pass' for the internal travel but pay for entry to some of the shrine?

I have planned for a 1 day trip. Is this 2-day Nikko Free Pass the best deal?

Thank you in advance.


Its better to stay 2-3days in Nikko, imo (if its a photo trip).
Its got lots to offer since the World heritage area (Toshogu Shrine area which is very large) to the Lake Chuzenji area as well scenic waterfalls and the Senjohara plains.


Yes, you go to Tobu Asakusa Station to get the Nikko Free Pass.
Thats this building :

DP1M0630-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr


The pass included the train price to/from Nikko and some of the buses there.
If you take the buses, its really worth it.
However, imo, on a one day trip, you will probably only take the bus twice.
Once from the train station to the Toshogu Shrine area and once back (5-10mins per way ).
This may not make the pass too worth it.

To get better use of the pass, you will have to go to the Lake Chuzenji, Senjohara Plains areas which is a good 45mins away, also allowing you to hop up and down buses as you catch scenic spots along the way.
 

Its better to stay 2-3days in Nikko, imo (if its a photo trip).

The pass included the train price to/from Nikko and some of the buses there.
If you take the buses, its really worth it.
However, imo, on a one day trip, you will probably only take the bus twice.
Once from the train station to the Toshogu Shrine area and once back (5-10mins per way ).

Unfortunately, I have only 3 and half days in Tokyo. 1st day will be with the group around Tokyo itself. 2nd day I plan to go to kamakura. On the 3rd day then going to Nikko. So, in your opinion, I should not buy the 2 day pass and just take the bus?
 

Unfortunately, I have only 3 and half days in Tokyo. 1st day will be with the group around Tokyo itself. 2nd day I plan to go to kamakura. On the 3rd day then going to Nikko. So, in your opinion, I should not buy the 2 day pass and just take the bus?


Yes, I think just buying the tickets will be cheaper instead of the day pass.
Do just ask again to confirm at the Tobu station when you buy the tickets.
There are staff there that speak English.
 

Yes, I think just buying the tickets will be cheaper instead of the day pass.
Do just ask again to confirm at the Tobu station when you buy the tickets.
There are staff there that speak English.

Thank you again.
 

Yes, I am back in one piece!

Kamakura is OK but Nikko is quite challenging and further away from Tokyo. I think you need 2 days for Nikko and best to find a place to stay there to really enjoy Nikko. Kind of rush if you need to travel to and fro for both days. For Subway, there is LED display in English to show which stations it is stopping but train it is strictly Japanese even with announcement.

Thank you again for the guide.