Japan Photo Guide

The Yamanote Line is one of Tokyo’s busiest and most important train lines that runs a circle around the center of Tokyo (think of it as a train “belt line” that runs around a city). The Yamanote line goes to almost all of Tokyo’s major and urban areas including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Akihabara, Ueno and Ikebukuro. Only 6 of the 29 stations on the Yamanote Line do not connect to other railway or subway lines. The blue numbers on the information graphic below show the time it takes between the big oval stations (for example from Ueno to Tokyo it takes about 7 minutes). It takes about an hour to make a full loop and while I have not done it yet, but one day I think it would be interesting to ride around the whole loop because I think some really interesting photos could be made.

Mt. Fuji (or Fuji-san) is Japan’s tallest (3776 meters) and most famous mountain and is perhaps the most symbolic image of Japan. Fuji-san has been popular among artists as long as art has been in Japan. Mt. Fuji is a dormant volcano which has been so since the early 1700s.

On a clear day (which isn’t often) you can see Fuji-san from some places in Tokyo, like Roppongi Hills Tower, or Yokohama. Also while taking the shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, after about 30 minutes from leaving Tokyo you will get a nice view of Japan’s most sacred mountain.If you want to get a little closer I recommend stopping by Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko). Climbing season is during the summer months of July and August. If you want to avoid the crowds you should go on a weekday around the middle of July, when Japanese schools are still in session and before the summer holidays. The photo below was taken from the 5th stage of Mt. Fuji looking away from the summit.

Interested in climbing Mount Fuji? That is one of the things I have on my list of things to do before leaving Japan. To be honest, I know close to nothing about this (other than the peak season is July and August. If you want to climb Mt. Fuji, Japan-Guide.com has a climbing guide to Mt. Fuji, which seems like a good place to start.

If you are a foreign tourist, this is a great way to see a lot of Japan. You pay a one time fee and then have unlimited rides on all JR lines for free (including the shinkansen). YOU MUST PURCHASE A PASS BEFORE COMING TO JAPAN (you CANNOT purchase one after arriving in Japan). After purchasing a pass in your home country you will get a voucher, then you will exchange the voucher for the actual pass once you arrive in Japan.

There are actually many different types of passes, for example one is for the whole country and there are some for certain regions of Japan. For a complete list of options and information please see the Japan-Guide.com. Also, see the official JR site for more information.

To me, at first, Osaka felt like a smaller, more confusing to navite Tokyo; however, after going there a couple times I have more of an appreciation for it. To be honest though, if you have a limited amount of time in Japan and have been to Tokyo, there is no REAL reason why you NEED to go to Osaka. Most of the photographs you can make there you can make in any big city. Osaka is nice, but Kyoto (just about 45 minutes by train) is much nicer (from a photographer’s perspective).

The shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, is the second fastest train in the world and extends from almost end to end of Japan. It is convenient, safe, fast and if paired with the JR Railpass, a cheap way to travel around Japan. Without the pass, “the shink” price is a little steep compared to local trains or highway buses but if you believe that time is money then maybe you are better off using the Shinkansen since travel times can often be 5x or 6x longer by local train or highway bus.

Where to start…Well, let’s just say if you are a photographer in Japan and you do not go to Kyoto, you should really consider giving up photography. Seriously, Kyoto and the surrounding areas like Arashiyama and Nara are so spectacular that there is no excuse not to find a way to get to Kyoto. As of Spring of 2006 I have been to Kyoto 5 times, going atleast once ever season of the year. The two best times to go are, cherry blossom season and during the fall.

Kyoto is the old capital of Japan is said to have more than 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. Also Kyoto’s district Gion, is the only place in Japan where you can regularly see real geisha or maiko (and no they are not prostitutes).

There are many famous places and most of which I will encourage you to go to, but sometimes it is a good idea to go off the beaten path and find your own little treasure in Kyoto.

Here are some of the famous places you should consider going:

• • Nanzenji (My personal favorite)
  • Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion)
  • Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion)
  • Ryoan-ji (Most famous rock garden of all of Japan)
  • Kiyomizudera (One of the most famous temples in Japan and a good view of Kyoto)
  • Tetsugaku no michi (Philosopher’s Path)
  • Kokedera (Moss Garden Temple–3000 yen and reservation required to enter!)
  • Ninnanji (A very diverse UNESCO World Heritage Site close to Ryoanji)
  • Fushimi Shrine (Shinto Shrine with thousands of tori gates)

Kyoto is about 2 hours by shinkansen from Tokyo and about 45 minutes by express train from Osaka. For more detailed access information please see Japan-Guide.com.

Here are some Links you may find useful about Kyoto:

• • Kyoto’s Visitor’s Guide–Online version of the monthly publication.
  • Kyoto Event Web Magazine–Provides information about festivals and events.
  • K’s Hostel–The best hostel in Kyoto.
  • Japan-Guide.com–A lot of really good information
  • Kyoto Prefecture Travel Guide–Official site of Kyoto Prefecture with travel information

Not only is Himeji Castle considered by many to be the best castle in all of Japan, but it is also considered by many to be one of the best places to view the annual cherry blossoms. Knowing this I made plans to go during cherry blossom season season and I would have to say that in both ways Himeji Castle lives up to it’s reputation. Himeji Castle is lucky enough to never have been damaged by war or earthquake and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I had planned to spend only half a day at Himeji Castle (this would have been easily possible if I wanted to) but I found Himeji Castle and the surroundings too beautiful to only spend half the day making photographs there. Many people do make this a day or half day trip when visiting Kyoto or Osaka. If possible I STRONGLY recommend you visit Himeji Castle during cherry blossom season (around 1st week of April) but if you are in Japan at another time of year, the castle itself (and view from the top of the castle) is worth the trip.

By Shinkansen, Himeji Castle is an about 45 minutes to an hour away from Kyoto and about 3.5 hours from Tokyo. For detailed information about getting to and around Himeji Castle please see Japan-Guide.com. Also, here is the official Himeji Castle English Homepage