vacationing in Japan - DPChallenge Forums

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

03/17/2005 09:34:30 PM · #1

Hello everyone;
I will be going to Japan next week for a 2 week vacation, visiting my sister and also visiting mother in Gifu. My sister has just had a 2nd baby, so I may just be limited to the occasional day trip for getting out and about.

I'll be taking all of my camera gear and laptop computer to Japan with me. I'm looking for suggestions on where I can get some awesome photos.

Thanks very much....
Linda

Message edited by author 2005-03-17 21:36:16.

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

03/17/2005 09:39:56 PM · #2

I think Gifu is around Kyoto area so if you are near Kyoto you can just walk around anywhere there it is a really historical city and plenty of things to shoot. Dont forget the legend that is FUJISAN (mount fuji) a must visit place (dont forget to ride the fastest coaster in the world at fujiyama park) If you were closer to Tokyo (Narita) then I would like to take you around for a session but anyway Kyoto / Osaka there are many many beautifull places and things to see you will go home with many pictures. Please have fun in Japan.

03/17/2005 09:47:04 PM · #3

Thank you; I'm really looking forward to it. What are prices like for camera gear there? I'll be watching for a good buy on Nikon lens 80-200...

03/17/2005 11:47:39 PM · #4

In Gifu, you're closer to Nagoya than Kyoto. You'll be coming in at Cherry Blossom time. I was going to suggest the Expo that's happening in Nagoya, but I just looked at the poster and it finishes on Marh 24.
Of course, you don't have to go to the major tourist attractions. You can walk about and find plenty of interesting things to shoot - an old temple or shrine, a traditional shop, people having a flower-viewing party...

p.s. Sorry, they've all sold out of Nikon lenses. You'll have to get a Tamron. ;-p

Message edited by author 2005-03-17 23:49:35.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/18/2005 12:17:59 AM · #5

From the Nikon website, the Ai AF zoom Nikkor ED F2.8D lens is listed at 154,000yen (161,700yen with tax, but foreign visitors can get the the tax refunded). No doubt, they'd be cheaper from dealers like Yodobashi Camera, duty free. (As a rough guide, move the decimal point two places to the left to get a very approximate $ version.)

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

03/18/2005 01:00:36 AM · #6

If you are in Tokyo the Fish markets are rich in pickings., The area Of Hira Juku is the young fashion centre good photoos as well, Osaka is good especially the public gardens and castle area. my son lives in Osaka.

Also we went to Hirishima and visited the peace park that is so amazing

Kyoto is rich in temples and fabulous gardens.
My advise is to buy a JR rail pass. 7 &14 day ones they give you unlimited travel on the JR system

Message edited by author 2005-03-18 01:01:42.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/18/2005 02:11:59 AM · #7

Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for responding. Please keep the ideas coming. I plan to print this thread and carry it with me as my list of "things I'd like to do...." I'm very busy with work right now, and don't have much time to research this before I go.

Linda

PhilipDyer

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/18/2005 03:48:10 AM · #8

Hi, Linda. If you can make it as far as Tokyo, let me know and I'll make plenty of suggestions for places you can go see around here. If you like, I might even be able to meet you out somewhere to show you around, depending on the timing.

Other than Tokyo, you might want to make a trip to Hakone, which is a beautiful natural area near Mount Fuji. Osaka is nice because of the castle and Kyoto has so many temples that you can't possibly shoot them all in one day. Hiroshima has the Peace Park and Wakayama is another nice area to the south of Osaka/Kyoto that has a lot of beautiful temples.

Oh, and buy the camera gear before you come here. Pretty much everything in Japan is more expensive.

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

03/18/2005 07:49:22 AM · #9

The Japan RailPass needs to be bought before you leave for Japan.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

03/18/2005 02:14:49 PM · #10

Yes yuo order thepass from the travel agents, from memory the 7 day cost us about $nz 400.00 but very worthwile as the bullet trains are expensive to go on.we went from osaka/ tokyo. rode the tokyo rail for 2 days. and had trips to Kyoto/osaka ans also to Kobe, if you go to Kobe dont miss the herb Gardens and the Rope Railway you can also ride the bus all around Kobe for 200yen, the best bargain in Japan.!!!
Enjoy the experience we are going back in August with luck.great to have a GTG with any DPCers resident in Japan.

03/18/2005 08:28:56 PM · #11

Hi again. Thanks for the suggestions.... please keep them coming.