January in Japan...Advice?

[vanshyosaka]

If by history and traditions you mean some of the serene temples and buildings, yes, I am absolutely interested. I've always wanted to go to Kyoto for the blossom in the spring, but I just wasn't sure if the same splendor is captured in winter.


Do you think Hokkaido is doable in 2-3 days? If I do 2 days in Tokyo, a day in Kyoto, 2-3 days in Nagano (monkeys), that leaves 2-3 for Hokkaido or something else. If I make the trip all the way north, I'd hope to see the red crowned cranes and whooper swans. Think that's doable in 2-3 days? Are there local tour operators to facilitate this or is it possible "self-guided" so to speak? Are there any particular places or "spots" you can recommend for either of these?

hi again,

IMO kyoto is always beautiful specially in autumn, and i am sure its still stunning in winter too.

i am sure martin bailey can provide you with more helpful information about your trip to hokkaido, give him an email on his blog

good luck

 

[shashinkaman]

Check out Takayama Gifu, Ouchi Juku in [size=12pt]Fukushima[/size], and Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma.

With all due respect, you're 'off your trolley'! ??? ??? ???

 

[rmfagan]

I do plan to avoid Fukushima. I'm sure it's lovely and all, but to quote Jimmy Buffet, "I don't wanna see my skin a-glow"

 

[gfoulk]

I'd love to see Fukushima - the abandoned villages and such would be very interesting. With some basic protective gear and a Geiger counter, it should be quite safe for an isolated visit. Of course it's a restricted area so I don't think "I wanna take pictures" is going to cut it

 

[Brand B]

Ben to Tokyo about 60 times for work, including living there a couple years in 1999-2001. I'd second (or third, didn't read all the posts too carefully) Kamakura as a good day trip from Tokyo, and Nikko as well.

In the Tokyo area, some interesting sights are Ueno park (museums, scenery, temples) as well as the rather interesting shopping area right outside the Ueno station off the Yamanote line (train that does a big loop around the Tokyo metro area).

On that topic, you might look at buying one of the JR (Japan Rail) passes that are sold at a pretty hefty discount for tourists.

Harajuku is cool, Akihabara is an interesting experience if not photographically desirable.

There some interesting futuristic architecture out by the bay in Lalaport/Divercity including a life size Gundam that makes an interesting spectacle at night.

I'll ponder other suggestions since you have a couple of months before you go.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

For Kyoto, check out Jeffrey Friedl's Blog. Jeffrey also produces export plug-ins for Lightroom plus lots of other neat tools, its a good site to be familiar with, he has a wealth of information about photography, even if he is a Nikon shooter

http://regex.info/blog/

 

[87vr6]

I live in Okinawa, and travel to the mainland occasionally (I suppose that's an appropriate term)


I went to Hokkaido last year for the snow festival. I shoot with a 5D3 and during the day my 24-70 II was more than enough, and at night I used my 24mm both indoors and out. I brought a tripod but rarely used it as this was a vacation, not a photo safari.

So, 9 days, flying into Tokyo. I'd try to find the flights going into Haneda and not Narita for starters.

As mentioned, those monkeys only need a day, unless you really have something for monkeys, but IMO there is much better stuff to see around.

But like mentioned, if you're going to see them, you'll want some focal length. You have that covered with the 70-200. I doubt you'll be able to set up a off camera flash close to them... They might grab it and run off with it...

Seriously. Monkey's are azzholes!! Look at these guys on Ishigaki-jima:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronspics12345/10504049004/" title="5D3_1328 by volksron, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/10504049004_316c400dc7_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="5D3_1328"></a>

I wouldn't bother bringing a macro, especially as you'll be in the colder regions, in January. Spring/summer? Sure...

The 50 you have will be great for the markets, though you might find it a little tight... I like my 24L...

This is a 3-street wide market right outside Ueno Station
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronspics12345/8460196012/" title="5D3_5374 by volksron, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8460196012_138d2b026a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="5D3_5374"></a>

As far as travel, once you arrive in country, use Skymark or Peach airlines. They fly to all the cities, and cheaply...

There's so much I want to write here, but my mind wanders too much for it. If you would like to chat and discuss things in an easier manner, find me on FB (Ron Wroblewski), my profile pic is me with those monkeys, so I should be easy to find..

 

[AttackMonkey]

I go to Japan every couple of years, I love it there. My most recent trip was last year, and I climbed Fuji overnight to watch the sun rise, it was amazing!

To give you an idea, we normally do a couple of weeks, with 4 - 6 of us, and manage to visit 4 or 5 major cities or so. It's a LOT of travel though.

If street photography is your thing, Tokyo is the best, but Osaka and Kyoto are good too. If you want historical stuff like shrines, Kyoto is where it's at, and Nara is good too. I can recommend a few really good places that I've been:

Miyajima Island, it's in the top 100 places to visit before you die, and with good reason. It's a beautiful island off the coast near Hiroshima. IF you go, stay overnight in one of the island's many traditional Ryokan. There's a mountain there you can climb too, with great views across to the mainland, as well as the famous floating shrine and Torii gate.

The peace gardens and museum at Hiroshima are beautiful, and very moving. I imagine, the Dome (the only surviving building), which is pretty eerie at the best of times would be even more striking in the winter.

If you go to Kyoto, check out the Golden Shrine, the Silver shrine, Ryoan-Ji, Kyoto Castle and Gion. There's also a fantastic giant Flea market once or twice a month at one of the temples not too far from the main station.

Osaka has the castle, and an excellent aquarium.

If you want a good day trip and you're in Kyoto or Osaka, consider a day trip to Himeji Castle. It's the best surviving original castle in Japan, and if you've seen a film set in Japan with a castle in it, the chance are it was Himeji Castle.

Kamakura is a good day out from Tokyo, it has a wonderful small town feel to it, and there are some beautiful shrines there.

I don't know if giant robots are your thing, but in Odaiba in Tokyo, they have a life sized Gundam robot, which is light up at night, and is very cool indeed.

As others have said, the street food in Japan is amazing, and the Sushi is awesome. I'd also recommend trying the regional specialities of any region that you visit!

As others have mentioned, the further away you get from Tokyo, the harder it is to get around if you don't speak or read Japanese. Do your research in advance, it'll make your life much easier! A lot of the other major cities are easier to navigate now than they were on my first visit in 2005. Most of the major bus stations will have bus schedules in English if you ask.

If you plan on getting around by train, consider a JR Pass, you have to buy them before you go, but they allow you unlimited travel on the JR trains, and some of the ferries as well. If you're doing more than one or two long journeys, you'll save a ton of money. You can't use the fastest bullet trains though. Driving is OK, but again, it can be a bit intimidating if you can't read any of the road signs!