Japan GTG or travel tips ... going now!

03/28/2008 02:59:26 AM · #1

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a one week trip to Tokyo and Yokahama for work. I'll be free on Sunday and also Thursday (hopefully), Friday, and Saturday this coming week ... and possibly evenings. I'm looking for photography tips, travel tips, and any other advice, such as areas that a middle-aged woman with a giant photo backpack should avoid ;-). The first 3 days I'll be in Shin-Yokahama, last 4 days in Tokyo by Tokyo Dome.

Feel free to send a PM please, since after tomorrow I'm not sure if I'll have time to check in on dpc. Thanks!

Edit to add: GTGs are always great ... let me know if anyone wants to plan one.

Message edited by author 2008-03-28 03:01:22.

faidoi

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/28/2008 03:09:49 AM · #2

Sunday at near the Harujuku station by the Meiji Shrine for the cosplayers, weddings, Rockabilly dancers. Only on Sundays. Great people watching.

Message edited by author 2008-03-28 03:14:34.

03/28/2008 05:19:28 AM · #3

Thanks for the tip, Welland!

faidoi

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/28/2008 03:50:19 PM · #4

Should be tons of sakura (cherry blossoms) right now.

faidoi

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

03/28/2008 04:16:20 PM · #5

Shin-Yokohama 1 or 2 train stop to the largest chinatown in the world. Yokohama chinatown. You might want to confirm train stops but it wasn't that far away. My friend and I took the train from Yokohama chinatown to the Ramen museum in Shin-Yokohama and it didn't take too long.

I would not recommend carrying a huge backpack unless you are use to hiking with the same equipment. I carried a messenger bag with a couple lens when I was in Japan 2 years ago. We waited until the commute hours past in the morning and the trains were not as packed.

As a women you are in luck. There are trains that only women can go into. Japan has a problem with men touching women on packed trains. Check for the pink logos on the train and on the floor on the train ramp. Sometimes the logo is not on the floor.

Funny story. We got on the train without looking for the pink logo on the train and both my friend and I got on the train and he saids "Oh $#!+" and starts toward the the next train, after the train pulls away from the stop. I followed him thinking we got on the wrong train, but we got onto the women train. A couple of people on the next train and some women were laughing at us. Oops :)

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

03/29/2008 01:23:58 AM · #6

Thanks again Welland ... those were great tips. I would have never figured out the women only trains. Great to know!

Last bump, but by the time I read any more I'll be in Japan because I'm leaving now for the long trip. If anyone has more Japan tips, please let me know!

tamatama

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

03/29/2008 02:19:05 AM · #7

Sorry, but there are no women only trains - they are single cars on trains and the "women only" on the designated cars is valid during morning rush hour until 9:00 am.
The women groping on trains does happen occasionally as in every country where people are packed together tightly, you can avoid it easily by not using a train during peak hours. I don't want to downplay nasty groping hands, but I am a middle aged woman too, and have the feeling that I am kind of not attractive enough anymore to be in any danger of wandering hands on Tokyo trains.

Otherwise Tokyo is a very safe place!

As it is cherry blossom season, it is a great time for people watching as mentioned already and of course Spring and cherry blossom photos.

At Meiji Jingu you may be lucky and witness one or more Shinto style weddings. Unfortunately I am too far away for a GTG!

Hope you enjoy your trip to Japan!

kolasi

Nikon D300

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

03/29/2008 03:26:47 AM · #8

Definately Harajuku on Sundays, this weekend they migh migrate a little further up to yoyogi park because of the cherry blossoms. In any case you shouldnt miss that, great people watching and everyone is relaxed and in a good mood.

I also recommend shibuya crossing, as its the wildest crossing in the world, and the streets around there are great people watching. Also if you go to a store 109 near shibuya crossing, you can see all the crazy japanese fashions.
When you are at shibuya crossing head under the bridge the train passes over and make a left, its 3 rows of tiny tiny little bars that have been stading since before wwii. great for photos and if your not with a loud obnoxious group, great for having a drink and meeting locals.

pm me for any thing you might need

Pug-H

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

03/29/2008 03:58:11 AM · #9

I think faidoi was referring to train carriages rather than whole trains.
I was once changing trains at Shinjuku - I came down the stairs and got onto the front carriage just before the doors closed. Only once the train had started off did I realise why the carriage had lots of pink. But I was only going a couple of stops and was able to act touristy. ;-Ã�