Ueno Park is a large green space in central Tokyo and a great place for a walk around the city with the camera. There’s temples, museum, a zoo, entertainment – including Taiko drumming blogged here, flea markets and plenty of people. It’s also beside a large shopping area, the Ameyoko Shopping Street so you can easily fill a day here. And like Tokyo there’s any number of JR and metro stations in the area to get here.
Another Kimono photoAmeyoko shoppingOul lads, AmeyokoBlind among the flowersOul lad in the parkStrange cabbage-like plants, Ueno ParkFlea Market bargainsSeller of weird shit, Ueno Park
All shot on the Nikon F60 and Kentmere 400 or Kodak Tri-X
Osaka is a nice city to visit and works well as a base for trips elsewhere (Kyoto, Hiroshima etc) albeit without an overwhelming must-see identity of its own. It is however clean, safe, friendly – and has a Universal Studios park. I’d only a few days in the city armed with the Nikon F60 and Huawei P9 and got some shots.
A good place to start is downtown at the Shinsaibashi shopping street, 600 metres of covered shopping.
There’s also every conceivable eating place, including a bit of crab.
Downtown Osaka, seafood restaurant. Crab on the menu.Downtown Osaka, Dotobori Canal
One of the main sites for a visit is the Osaka Castle in its large gardens. It focusses on local history and art as well as some viewpoints of the city.
Osaka CastleView of the city from Osaka castleOsaka Castle gardensOsaka Castle gardens
Osaka is also the site for Japan’s Universal Studios theme park. Cue lots of Minions but I was particularly taken with Hogsmeade, Asian style.
Hogsmeade, Japan (snow not real)Hogsmeade staff (Owl not real)
Practicalities – we stayed in the suburbs at the wonderful Rainbow Hostel near Imazato train station about 20 minutes from downtown. The area was nice and quiet and you’ll not go hungry
Out in the suburbs
And of course in Shinsaibashi there are plenty of camera stores. Nice that film is still widely used in Japan.
Most visits to Japan will include a trip to Hiroshima – to the Peace Park with the Atomic Dome and the various monuments, and to the museum. Like many war and memorial sites, they’ve been photographed countless times but it’s still the best way of recording your own visit, your thoughts and having an aide-memoire as one gets older.
All pictures taken on Kentmere 100 in the Nikon F60.
A few practicalities.
The best way of getting to Hiroshima is by the fast JR train – the pass is great value http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/
At the station there is a free bus that goes around the city including a stop at the Peace Park. There are also Tourism Meeter/Greeters around the station who are really helpful.
Compared to Northern Ireland, Tokyo is an assault on the senses – the crowds, the skyline, the neon – and I love it. Another major difference is the abundance of camera stores and the availability of second hand kit and film. I stocked up on Fuji Acros 35mm – at about 60% of the UK price. (as news arrives of its imminent disappearance..)
Shinjuku and Ginza are districts that don’t seem to stop and are probably most like the image many people have of Tokyo before visiting. There’s the architecture…
Taiko is traditional Japanese ensemble drumming – a full-on percussion experience with visuals to match. These were shot in Ueno Park, Tokyo on a Sunday afternoon but there are all sorts of shows, classes and competitions to go and watch and take part in Taiko.
A wee hand held drumTraditionally a male dominated art – not any longer.A chū-daiko.
Calm before the storm
These shots were taken on Kentmere 400 film – cheap and cheerful but very grainy on scanning (they do sit nice and flat though..).
It does however do a much nicer darkroom print.
very ungrainy darkroom print – Ilford Multigrade RC Matt
And of course, when in Tokyo – give it a go yourself.
Me and Taiko teacher Oskar. He’s the one on the right…
Kit: Nikon F60 with Kentmere 400.
Me and Oskar shot on a Huawei phone
There aren’t many places you visit just to cross a road. We’ve loads of crossings in Northern Ireland – press a button, wait until a green man appears then dander across the road. Occasionally this will involve a car or two stopping and perhaps a few other pedestrians. Certainly nothing for tourists.
The Shibuya district in Tokyo has one of the biggest crossings in the world. Roads from all directions get a red light and then it’s a pedestrian free for all.
Crossing the crossing. Nikon F60, Acros 100
It is of course best seen from above – there is a ridiculously packed Starbucks overlooking the crossing – the phone is best to record this this.
There is of course more to the Shibuya district than a pelican crossing no matter how big assed and busy it is. It’s a vibrant shopping, eating and socialising area making it great for street shots.
Marlboro Men of Shibuya. Nikon F60, Acros 100Queueing for a traditional Japanese Wendy burger. Nikon F60, Acros 100Signage. Nikon F60, Acros 100Bunting. Nikon F60, Acros 100Shibuya street scene and a Barcelona FC fan shop… Olympus Trip 35 / Fomapan 100Tokyo Taxi . Olympus Trip 35 / Fomapan 100Shopping Nikon F60, Acros 100Night shopping Nikon F60, Acros 100Struggling handheld at night on 100 ISO. Nikon F60, Acros 100True. Olympus Trip 35 / Fomapan 100
I’ve always had mixed feelings towards the Queen’s area in Belfast. I grew up around this part of Belfast and it’s got an undoubted charm, but as a graduate of the University, studying there was nothing special – dull and uninspiring, even. Maybe it’s an age thing but I’ve had much more productive learning through part time study and of course, through life experience.
Still, it’s one of the city’s nicest areas for a walk with the camera. These were shot on a Canon T70 (underrated and not the slightest bit ugly) and Ilford HP5+, not too grainy and a pleasure to scan.
Welcome to QueensInside the Lanyon buildingAlong the quadrangle
Queen’s has Belfast’s leading Art House Cinema and while there’s always an eclectic mix of films on show, the seating is most uncomfortable and at my last visit, I surprisingly witnessed numerous Wittertainment Code Violations.
QFTElmwood HallTheological College for non-factual study…The ever popular city bikesBut is it art..Play School windowsTree-lined University RoadQuadrangle archway
