Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Alastair, I lived in Japan for 5 yrs, the last 2 in Tokyo, but I've been in Thailand for the past 6 months. Still, I may be able to help for your upcoming visit. First, you want to check out the camera shops near Shinjuku Station: Yodobashi (the biggest, with everything), Camera Doi, MAP, and some used camera shops near the station whose names escape me. At Yodobashi, the pro shop (with Leica, Hassie, 4x5, etc.) is on the 5th floor; the film shop is in the basement (also tripods are there). Next, at one of these shops, ask for copies of 2 thick, monthly photo magazines: Nippon Camera and Asahi Camera. The titles are in English. In the back of the magazine are display ads for many of the other camera shops around town. Many are in English . You will find in those ads the lowest prices currently available, and you can compare them against what you found at Yodobashi, etc. The magazines hit the newsstands usually by the 28th of the preceding month; but Yodobashi usually gets them days earlier than the other shops or newsstands. There are more photography exhibits in Tokyo than you can shake a stick at. Check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography at Ebisu Gardens (Ebisu Station on the Yamanote Line). Posters for other exhibits around town will be there. Also, for lots of old cameras, including Leicas, check out the JCII Camera Museum (on the Hanzomon Line) right near the Emperor's Palace and then take a long walk to Ginza to check out Lemon Camera and a lot of other Leica and general camera (new and used) shops in the Ginza area. Anything else I can help you with about the Tokyo scene, just let me know. Regards, Bruce Feldman