PhotoGuide Japan FAQ
FAQ about this Web site.

Japan Photos FAQ
FAQ about our online photo collection/gallery/albums at PHOTOGUIDE.JP/pix/.

PhotoWho’sWho FAQ
FAQ for famous Japanese photographers and their biographies at PhotoWho’sWho.

PhotoVendors FAQ
FAQ about camera stores in Japan, stock photography agencies, buying vintage photos, renting camera equipment in Japan, and photo schools.

PhotoRepairs FAQ
FAQ about camera repair centers for major camera manufacturers in Japan as listed in PhotoRepairs.

PhotoSpaces FAQ
FAQ about Japan’s museums, galleries, photo salons, and other exhibition spaces listed in PhotoSpaces.

PhotoBookstores FAQ
FAQ about major Japanese bookstores stocking a good selection of photo books.

PhotoReviews FAQ
FAQ about PhotoGuide Japan’s book review page for Japanese photo books, magazines, and CD-ROMs.

PhotoOrganizations FAQ
FAQ about major pro photographer associations and imaging industry-related organizations in Japan, as listed in PhotoOrganizations.

PhotoLibraries FAQ
FAQ about museum libraries in Japan that have a good collection of photo books and magazines, as listed in PhotoLibraries.

What’s Japan Photos at PHOTOGUIDE.JP/pix ?
It’s an ever-growing collection of tens of thousands of online photos and videos of Japan, organized mainly according to prefecture and city/town/village. It is to help promote travel to Japan and pique your interest in the places, things, events, and people the photos show. Be great if the pictures help you better understand Japan and see that it is much more than just Mt. Fuji, geisha, and cherry blossoms.

How are the photos organized?
Basically, there are top-tier categories such as the prefecture (all 47 prefectures of Japan), then secondary categories such as the city, town, and village. The secondary categories contain photo collections called albums (called “photo sets” at Flickr). Each album can contain up to 250 pictures of a certain subject or theme. Toward the top of the page, there are breadcrumb links (ex.: Home > Tokyo > Shinjuku > Album name) showing you exactly where you are within Japan Photos.

I also have theme-based categories such as festivals, people, sumo, and vintage postcards.

What kind of Japan photos are there?
They are mainly travel photos from all 47 prefectures. They intend to show what a place looks like or what happens at an event such as a festival. The photos are selected from among many and presented in a logical sequence. If it’s a festival, the photos are in chronological sequence. It’s more like a photo essay, and I avoid showing random, unrelated images.

Most of the photos were taken within the Tokyo-to-Osaka corridor since I live in Tokyo and most of my travels are done within this area. In the near future, I plan to spend extended periods in farther parts of Japan where I haven’t traveled and photographed much.

Did you take all these photos/videos?
I took almost all of them. Those labeled with “Philbert Ono.” Photos not taken by me are labeled with the respective photographer’s name.

How can I post my photos on your Japan Photos site?
I welcome photo submissions if you have photos of Japan I don’t have or don’t plan to shoot. You should have at least 12 photos of a subject in an understandable sequence. File names should be in numeric order. Images should be at least 400 pixels wide or tall for vertical shots. You send me the images and I’ll post them on the site. Contact me for more info.

How many photos are there in Japan Photos?
As of July 2010, there are over 36,000 photos and videos. This number increases monthly. Every month, I see a place or festival (matsuri) I’ve never seen before and shoot. It may take a while longer for me to upload the results.

Do you sell your photos?
Yes, most photos are available for licensing if you want to use it for editorial purposes in a book, magazine, etc. Give me the URL of the photo(s) you want and make an offer. Contact me for more info.

Can I use your photo in my blog?
Yes, you can use the image as is for free, as long as the copyright notice is clearly visible. Keep a copy of the image on your own site and do not hotlink images from my site.

Why not post these photos on Flickr instead?
Flickr charges money and I wouldn’t draw any income from posting photos there. I much prefer posting content on my own Web site and draw ad income at the very least. I also have total control over my site. The social networking of Flickr is great, but I started Japan Photos before Flickr came to fore.

What does “Album viewed xx times” mean?
Indicates the number of times the album (thumbnail page) has been viewed since June 6, 2010 when the system started to count the album views. The number of album views is not accurate for albums uploaded before this date.

What is PhotoVendors (under construction)?

It is a list of major camera stores in Japan.

Which camera stores do you recommend in Japan and where should I buy camera equipment?

Yodobashi Camera is the biggest camera shop (probably the biggest in the world). Their megastores in Tokyo (Shinjuku, Akihabara, Kichijoji, etc.) have almost everything. They have stores in other major cities like Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. Yodobashi originally sold only camera equipment, but they have evolved into a major electrical appliance department store. Bic Camera is another chain and also good. In the suburbs and regional cities, you might find medium-size electronics chain stores like Yamada Denki. They’re good too, but the product selection is smaller. These camera shops are great to touch and feel the products you want to buy. Most major cameras are displayed as demo models.

However, Japan also has many online vendors whose prices are often cheaper than Yodobashi, etc. Even Amazon.co.jp sometimes has lower prices than Yodobashi. (This also applies to other products such as computer equipment.) If you can read Japanese, you can compare camera prices at kakaku.com. which lists the lowest prices from vendors.

Some online vendors have a small, physical shop for walk-in customers (looking more like a warehouse office). Others don’t. If you order from an online vendor, you should pay cash on delivery unless you know them to be trustworthy (like Amazon).

In Tokyo, Shinjuku is well-known for having the highest concentration of camera shops in Japan. It makes it easy to shop and compare prices. But ever since Yodobashi opened a megastore in Akihabara, Akihabara has become a very good place to shop for both cameras and electronics.

Any camera stores which sell to customers outside Japan?

We do not know of any camera retailers in Japan which accept international mail orders.

Are camera prices cheaper in Japan than in the US or Europe?

Maybe and maybe not. It depends on the camera store, product, and exchange rate. You’ll just have to compare prices yourself.

I want to know the street prices of camera equipment in Japan.

If you and your computer can read Japanese, the best place way to find out prices is at kakaku.com. Also see Yodobashi Camera’s Web site at www.yodobashi.co.jp/ or Amazon.co.jp. They list prices of most major camera equipment.

What about used camera shops?

Ginza in Tokyo has many used camera shops. If you are a camera collector, it’s the place to go. English is spoken at most shops. Also see the used camera ads in camera magazines such as Nippon Camera and Asahi Camera. A copy of Nippon Camera magazine can be ordered from PhotoGuide Japan.

Do any of the camera shops in Japan have web sites in English?

None have web sites in English.

What about camera shops in other cities?

You can retrieve a list of camera shops in other major cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Sapporo by accessing the Japan phone directory on this page:

http://english.itp.ne.jp/

In the Search box, enter the name of the city for “Region” and enter “CAMERA & PHOTO SUPPLIES” for the “Category.” A list of camera shops for that city will appear. Addresses and phone numbers are provided in English.

You can also obtain a more complete list of camera shops in Tokyo if you enter “Tokyo” for “Region.”

How do you rent equipment?

Most of the rental outlets require a hoshonin (guarantor) usually a family member or company superior. If you are not a resident of Japan, chances are that you will not be able to rent equipment.

As for underwater photo equipment, they can also be rented from scuba diving shops.

How do I find a rental studio?

If you can read Japanese, check Commercial Photo magazine’s Web site for a list of studios: http://www.genkosha.com/st2/arh.shtml
The magazine also had ads for rental studios and the Aug. issue includes a rental studio directory. But everything is in Japanese.

You can also access the English phone directory called Town Page at http://english.itp.ne.jp/ and do a search for “photo studios” in the target Japanese city. Note that the results will include portrait studios (non-rental).

How about renting a computer?

We don’t know of any shops where that you can rent and take home a computer.

However, you can do pretty much everything with a computer at a kinko’s store. Or at an Internet cafe. kinko’s is a business service center offering a wide range of photocopying and printing services, and they also rent on-site Windows and Macintosh computers with all the software and peripherals you need. kinko’s has many convenient locations in the major cities (especially Tokyo). All their computers are also connected to the Internet.

Where can I find a complete list of stock photo agencies in Japan?

A more complete list can be found in Japanese in Commercial Photo magazine’s Stock Photo Guide supplement issued every April. The magazine also has photo agency search page here (Japanese only).

Can I make a living as a stock photographer in Japan?

No, don’t quit your day job. Income from stock photography is not enough to live on.

Where can I buy vintage photographs in Japan?

The best place would be Yahoo Japan Auctions or eBay. There are more vintage photos of Japan outside Japan too (as you can see at eBay).

In Tokyo’s Jimbocho, there is Abeno Stamp and Coin and Shinsendo Shoten. Most of the stuff they have are not that rare or top-notch. But you never know.

There are also flea markets and antique fairs where you might find vintage photos and postcards.

If you want high-quality vintage, you’ll have to contact leading dealers such asOld Japan.

I’m an established photographer and I have many photos of so-and-so genre. Can you recommend any agencies to approach?

Sorry, but we cannot make any recommendations, endorsements, etc.

I’m a picture editor for a magazine and need a certain photo of Japan. Can you recommend any agencies to approach?

You can ask me for any images. See my large collection of photos and let me know if you see anything you want.

Where can I study photography in Japan?

Assuming that you can understand Japanese, there are a number of ways to study photography in Japan as ranked below from most difficult to least difficult:

1. Enter a four-year university and major in fine arts or photography. Nihon University in Tokyo has a well-known photography department. You will need to pass the college entrance exam.
2. Enter a 2-year vocational school (senmon gakko) specializing in photography or art. There is no entrance exam, but you will need to understand and read Japanese. You have to be a high school graduate and show that you have enough financial resources to pay the tuition.
3. Take a short-term course at a vocational school or culture center. These are usually held in the evenings or weekends.
4. Take a short-term course held by an organization (camera clubs, photo museums, etc.) or pro photographer.
5. Work as a photographer’s assistant.

Taking a photography class is a great way to meet people having the same interests. The instructors teaching the courses have a wealth of information and knowledge.

What’s it like to attend a photography school (shashin senmon gakko) in Japan?

Well, you do learn how to use different cameras and studio equipment and have a few fun photo sessions with live models (always female and sometimes nude). But the school does not really train you to become a real artist. Attending a photo school in the U.S. is much better.

Nevertheless, attending a photo school in Japan will enable you to meet a few teachers who are prominent Japanese photographers and you can make a lot of friends among your classmates. Knowing people can lead to jobs.

Are there any photo schools which teach in English?

No schools teach in English. However, in Tokyo there are a few photography workshops and classes conducted in English by independent professional photographers. One is called photospace b, run by Andy Barker in Zushi, Kanagawa Pref.

You may find ads for photo lessons in English magazines such as Metropolis (Tokyo), but be wary before signing up. Meet the teacher first and obtain a clear explanation of what you will get in return for a good amount of money. Or contact us for recommendations.

It is a list of major pro photographer associations and imaging industry-related organizations in Japan.

Which photographers’ associations are the most prominent in Japan?

The following three organizations are the most prominent in Japan:

The Photographic Society of Japan (PSJ)
Japan professional Photographers Society (JPS)
Japan Advertising Photographers’ Association (APA)

PSJ is a mix of photographers, amateurs, photo critics, business people, etc. They hold the annual Month of Photography event in Tokyo.

JPS is Japan’s largest organization of pro photographers. Members undergo strict screening to join. The annual membership fee is around 30,000 yen. Their newsletter booklet has an English page. They are very active in promoting/extending photographic copyrights.

APA is for advertising photographers, and like JPS, it is a high-powered group with many prominent Japanese photographers.

Unfortunately, there are hardly any non-Japanese members in these organizations.

What are the benefits of membership?

PSJ offers an informative photo almanac to members.

JPS and APA are prestige organizations and require certain professional qualifications for membership. Thus, many members see membership as a defacto certification proving that they are real professional photographers. They proudly put “Member of JPS (or APA)” on their business cards and resumes.

What about photographers’ associations for foreign photographers in Japan?

The closest to this would be the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan. Other than that, there are no professional photographers’ associations for foreigners in Japan. However, PhotoGuide Japan does have an online directory of English-speaking pro photographers in Japan at Photographers Japan. We also have a Facebook Group.

What about camera clubs in Japan?

For amateur photographers, there are many camera clubs sponsored by camera makers (Nikon, Canon, etc.) and film makers. Anybody can join by paying annual membership dues.

Members receive a glossy club magazine, invitations to photo shoots, etc.

Most members are middle-aged and older.

It’s a list of mainly museum libraries that have a good collection of photo books and magazines. It’s a good place to see out-of-print photo books or to do research on Japanese photography.

Which libraries have the best collection of photography books?

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, JCII Library, Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (Tokyo), and the Yokohama Museum of Art libraries. In Osaka, the Saito Media Library has a very large collection of photo books. And in Hokkaido, the Hakodate Photo Archives is also nice. (All listed in PhotoLibraries.)

Can anybody use the museum library?

Yes, the museum libraries are open to the public.

Do I have to pay to use the museum library?

No, the library is free. You do not have to pay museum admission to enter the library.

At the museum libraries, can I borrow books?

No materials can be taken outside the library. You have to do all your reading inside the library. However, photocopying services are available at cost. Photocopying services are usually available until 30 or 60 minutes before the library closes. Check with the library clerk for the exact time. You may have to fill in a simple form to photocopy library materials. (There may or may not be a do-it-yourself photocopying machine.)

For doing research on Japanese photography, which libraries have the most materials in English?

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (Tokyo), and the Yokohama Museum of Art libraries have a substantial collection of art- and photography-related magazines in English, but there are still very few books in English on Japanese photography. If you want to do any substantial research on Japanese photography, Japanese reading ability will be essential.

Through the Internet, can I do an online search of the library’s holdings?

It might be possible. Check the museum’s Web site if you can read Japanese. A search for books can usually be done with a computer terminal at the library.

What about the public libraries, do they have photography books too?

Neighborhood public libraries will usually have photography books. You can borrow the books usually for 2 weeks. To borrow books, you must have a library card which means you must be a local resident to be able to apply for one.

It’s PhotoGuide Japan’s list of major Japanese bookstores stocking a good selection of photo books. Besides bookstores in Japan, it also has a list of Japanese bookstores outside Japan. You can always buy books online, but it’s always nice to be able to pick up the book in a bookshop and thumb through it before buying.

Which bookstores in Tokyo have a large fine-art photo book section?

In PhotoBookstores, see Kinokuniya, Maruzen, Aoyama Book Center, Yaesu Book Center, and Sanseido.

Which bookstores in Tokyo have a large J-pop idol photo book section?

See Kinokuniya, Yaesu Book Center, Sanseido, Shosen Grande, Shosen Book Mart, and Shosen Book Tower.

Which bookstores in Tokyo have a good selection of secondhand, fine-art photo books?

See Genkido in Jimbocho.

But the best place by far is at Yahoo Japan Auctions for greater selection and lower prices. Most sellers do not ship internationally though. Fortunately, PhotoGuide Japan offers an auction proxy service. We can bid for you and ship the item to you from Japan. Details here.

Which bookstores in Tokyo have a good selection of secondhand, J-pop idol photo books?

The best place by far is at Yahoo Japan Auctions for greater selection and lower prices. Most sellers do not ship internationally though. Fortunately, PhotoGuide Japan offers an auction proxy service. We can bid for you and ship the item to you from Japan. Details here.

Which bookstores in Japan sell English books?

For the big ones, look for Kinokuniya, Maruzen, Logos, Tower Records, Tuttle Bookshop, Yaesu Book Center, and Sanseido.

I’m a book publisher in the US and I want to approach bookstores in Japan to sell my books in Japan.

Bookstores in Japan do not deal directly with publishers. They procure all their books from wholesalers who deal directly with publishers. Bookstores procure books from the wholesaler which then orders the books from the publishers. This system saves the publisher a lot of time and trouble since they don’t have to keep supplying thousands of bookstores individually in Japan themselves. The bookstore also need not deal with hundreds of publishers individually. Approaching bookstores in Japan will be useless.

So how can I sell my books in Japan or import books to Japan?

There are a few book importers that you can negotiate with. Yohan used to be the largest one until it went bankrupt on July 31, 2008. See the list of book importers in PhotoBookshops.

Where can I buy used books in Tokyo?

Kanda-Jimbocho (the biggest), Takadanobaba, Ochanomizu, and Hongo (adjacent to Univ. of Tokyo) are the major places for used books.

Listings of Japan’s museums, galleries, photo salons, and other exhibition spaces (such as department stores) which hold photography exhibitions regularly or occasionally. The address, phone number, and basic directions for each exhibition space are provided. It is part of our DirectoryZONE section which will be revamped in the near future (URL will change).

For the Tokyo area, Tokyo Art Beat provides an excellent list of photo exhibition museums, galleries, and other spaces.

What types of photo exhibition spaces are there in Japan?

Basically, we can categorize exhibition spaces as follows:

• Photo galleries (Free or rental)
• Art galleries
• Museums (public and private)

Almost all photo and art galleries have free admission, while museums usually charge admission.

Where’s the exhibition schedule of the photo galleries and museums?

PhotoSpaces does not provide exhibition schedules. In English, you can find exhibition schedules as follows:

• The Wednesday edition of The Japan Times daily newspaper provide exhibition information for major art and photo exhibitions in the major cities.
• A site called Tokyo Art Beat keeps track of Tokyo-area photo exhibitions at http://www.tokyoartbeat.com/list/event_type_print_photo.

In Japanese, you can find exhibition schedules as follows:

• The gallery or museum’s Web site (if available)
• Major camera magazines such as Asahi Camera and Nippon Camera.

Exhibitions run for only one to two weeks at most galleries. It is much longer at photography museums.

What should I know before visiting a photo museum or gallery in Japan?

You should make sure that the place will be open. The gallery or museum can be closed on any day of the week. Most are open on weekends and holidays (see list below), but others are not.

For large museums, arrive at least 30 min. before the closing time. Otherwise, entry might not be permitted. Also note that on the final day of an exhibition period, the gallery may close earlier than usual.

What days are national holidays in Japan?

New Year’s Day (Jan. 1)
2nd Mon. in Jan. (Coming-of-Age Day)
Feb. 11 (National Founding Day)
Mar. 21 (Vernal Equinox)
Apr. 29 (Greenery Day)
May 3 (Constitution Day)
May 4 (Children’s Day)
(The week-long period spanning Apr. 29 to May 4 is called “Golden Week.”)
July 20 (Marine Day)
Mid-August (Obon summer vacation)
Sep. 15 (Respect-for-the-Aged Day)
Sep. 23 (Autumnal Equinox)
2nd Mon. in Oct. (Sports Day)
Nov. 3 (Culture Day)
Nov. 23 (Labor Thanksgiving Day)
Dec. 23 (Emperor’s Birthday)
Year end and New Year’s period refers to the last few days of the year (around Dec. 28-31) and the first few days of the year (around Jan. 1-4). Many museums are closed during this period.

Note that if a national holiday falls on a Sunday, Monday becomes the holiday.

How long do photo exhibitions run?

At most galleries, one to two weeks is the average exhibition period. It is much longer at photography museums.

What about maps to the photo museums/galleries?

For Tokyo-area venues, see Tokyo Art Beat. Also see etc. magazine for art museum/gallery maps in English (might be slightly outdated).

Lastly, check the museum or gallery’s Web site to see if they have a map in English (they would have a map in Japanese). PhotoSpaces provide Web site URLs for museums and galleries.

How do I hold a photo exhibition in Japan?

Basically, there are several ways to exhibit in Japan:

• Use a rental gallery where you pay money to rent the space for a certain period.
• Apply for an exhibition at one of the free photo galleries operated by the major camera and film makers.
• Enter and win a major photo contest whose winners are given an exhibition.
• Become famous enough to be invited by a museum or gallery to hold an exhibition
• Become friends with a gallery owner who is willing to give you an exhibition.
• Participate in local art festivals or exhibitions.
• Negotiate with department stores, coffee shops, and other local public establishments which may allow you to show your photographs.

If you are rich enough to rent a gallery, it’s quite easy. Just contact the gallery and reserve a time slot. Be prepared to pay around 20,000 yen per day to rent the gallery. The minimum rental period is usually 7-10 days. Some rental galleries require certain standards in the quality of the work to be exhibited. If your work does not meet their standards, you might be rejected. Exhibition-quality prints may also be required. The gallery may also take a large commission (as much as 50%) on any print sales. You will also have to pay for frames/matting and publicity postcards. The total bill will be considerable.

A cheaper (but more difficult) way is to apply for an exhibition at one of the galleries operated by a film or camera maker such as Fuji Film, Canon, Nikon, and Kodak. Find out the deadline (usually every month or once every few months) and entry rules, then submit the required number of sample photos. If you pass the judging, you will be notified of an exhibition slot which is usually about a week long and a year in advance. You are competing against many other people, so the chances of getting in are pretty slim. Places like the Nikon Salon have applications in English. Most other galleries require you to communicate in Japanese only. For a description on how to exhibit at the Fuji Photo Salon in Ginza, for example, click here.

If you’re a famous photographer, you may be invited to exhibit in Japan by a major gallery or museum. That’s when you got it made.

Having a gallery connection is also a secure way. If you know a gallery owner or know a friend who knows a gallery owner, you may be given an exhibition if the owner likes you and your work.

Some small cities like Kamogawa in Chiba are very art-oriented and welcome participation from the public or foreigners during city-sponsored art events. If you get involved in your local community, there may be local venues to show your work. Sometimes there are exhibitions where anybody can submit a photo. For example, the Month of Photography event in Tokyo has the 1,000-Person Photo Exhibition every year for this purpose.

Japan also holds many, many photo contests. There’s even a magazine called “Photo Contest” which lists all the photo contests that are held. Some of them are major competitions from which major photographers made their debut. Besides an exhibition, the winners get a lot of media attention.

*Also see an excellent article by Tokyo art critic Monty DiPietro on trying to hold an exhibition in Tokyo. He even writes, “Forget it” was the response I got from most of the Tokyo-based artists, and gallery and museum people I queried on how a North American might arrange a Tokyo exhibition.”

And oh, if you do not live in Japan and want to exhibit in Japan, you should find someone in Japan to help you or represent you. The person will have to do all the translating and paperwork submissions for you. It might be difficult to do everything from overseas.

How do I make a phone call in Japan?

All phone numbers shown in PhotoSapces are for calling within Japan. To call from outside Japan, dial Japan’s country code (81), then the local area code without dialing the first zero. For example, to call or fax (03) 3280-0033 (Tokyo), dial 81-3-3280-0033.

In DirectoryZONE, the phone number’s local area code is indicated in parentheses. It need not be dialed if you are in that area. For example, if you are within the 23 wards of Tokyo, you need not dial the 03. Also, toll-free numbers (usually starts with 0120) work only within Japan. Note that most people in Japan cannot speak English, so be prepared to communicate in Japanese.

It is the name of PhotoGuide Japan’s book review page for Japanese photo books, magazines, and CD-ROMs reviewed during the late 1990s to 2006. It is no longer updated with new book reviews. I’m starting to integrate the old book reviews with photographer bios at PhotoWho’sWho. Most of the books are out of print, but it’s possible to obtain them at Japanese auction sites through our ProxyShop service.

A help page providing more information is also available whenever you see the Help (question mark) icon . Click on it and the help page will usually pop up in a small window.

How did you select the photo books to be added to PhotoReviews?

Any one or more of the following criteria was used to select books (including magazines, CD-ROMs, etc.) to be reviewed and added to our catalogs:

* The book’s subject is well-known or popular.
* The book’s photo theme is interesting.
* The book seeks to teach you something about Japan.
* There are customers who would buy the book from PhotoGuide Japan.
* The book created a major sensation or received significant media attention in Japan.
* The book’s photographer is well-known or interesting.
* The book has nice photos.
* The book is worth having either as a collectible item or excellent reference.
* The book has historical significance.
* The book is of personal interest to PhotoGuide Japan.

Can I order a photo book not included in your book reviews?

Yes, you can inquire about any Japanese photo book and we will check if it is available. Tell us the idol’s name, book title, photographer’s name, and/or ISBN number. If it is available, we will send you a price quote (which includes shipping) and ship the book after your payment is confirmed.

We can also search for the book at auction sites. Read about our ProxyShop.

(For more FAQs about ordering, see iStore FAQ.)

Is it possible to order an out-of-print book or buy a book at a Japanese auction site?

Yes, you can request an out-of-print book. We will first search for it at Yahoo! Japan Auctions. If one is up for bid, we will give you an estimate price. After you pay the price via PayPal, we will place a bid.

In case we lose the auction, you will receive a full refund. For details, read about our ProxyShop.

How do I use the site search engine to search for books?

You can search for photo books by typing any of the following key words: book title, photographer’s name, ISBN (no hyphens), or publisher’s name. The search results page will appear in a separate window. (2005.04.10)

Why do you include the shipping cost in your prices? How about keeping the product price and shipping cost separate?

It’s because the international shipping cost usually accounts for a major portion of the total price. (Also see the answer to the next question below.) We don’t want to give a false impression with a “low” price and then shock you with a high total price that includes the shipping cost. We think it is better to give you the combined price from the start so you are not misled. It is more convenient for everyone. (2000.5.29)

Your book prices are somewhat high. Why is this?

Believe it or not, despite the high prices of our books, we are hardly getting rich from this business. We make enough to cover Web site expenses and phone bills. That’s about it.

To begin with, photo books and magazines are often more expensive in Japan than in any other country in the world. This is due to high-quality (and high-cost) printing and the higher cost of everything here. International postage rates in Japan are also quite high. (Don’t forget that all our book prices include standard shipping.)

For example, to mail Nippon Camera magazine (Japan’s most popular camera magazine) which weighs 850 grams (equal to about three Popular Photography magazines), it costs 1,590 yen ($15) by priority air mail, 980 yen ($9) by low-priority air mail (SAL), or 770 yen ($7) by surface mail. The magazine itself costs only 900 yen ($8.50)! (These postal rates apply to printed matter mailed to most Western countries.)

And then you have to figure in the commissions that must be paid to credit card companies, etc., consumption tax (5%), and the expense of currency conversion. The final price can easily be double or triple the original price of the book or magazine. We don’t want to scare you, but that’s the reality in Japan.

Also, you may have noticed that all the information you are seeing is in English. You may take it for granted, but it takes specialized skills, knowledge, labor, and time to present information in English. So you are also paying for the English. (2002.11.30)

If it’s a secondhand book, shouldn’t the price be cheaper?

Yes, normally the price of secondhand books is cheaper. However, sometimes secondhand books are premium books that increase in value after they go out of print.

Fortunately, the premium books sold at online auction sites in Japan are usually cheaper than prices at used bookstores in Tokyo. (2002.11.30)

Some books in the PhotoReviews catalog are “out of print” but they are still in the catalog. Why not delete them?

PhotoReviews also serves as an information resource for the best Japanese photo books. There are many interesting book reviews. And even if the book is out of print, you might be able to find it at Japanese auctions through our ProxyShop service. (2005.04.10)

How long do you keep the books in the PhotoReviews catalog and when do you delete books from the catalog?

Books reviews of the most interesting photo books will be retained in PhotoReviews indefinitely.

Most photo books remain in print for at least 3 or 4 years. The more popular books may remain in print longer, about 10 years. But you never know when a book will go out of print, so if you see what you want, buy it now especially if it was published 2 years ago or longer. (2005.04.10)

Besides the book’s cover image, I want to see a few sample photos from the book. Can you scan a few pictures and send them to me?

We do not send sample photos. Sometimes our book reviews might include a link to sample images (usually at the publisher’s site). (2004.03.12)

I’m a photographer and I have published my own photo book. How about reviewing my photo book in PhotoReviews or iStore?

I won’t review it, but I can announce here at PhotoBulletin if it is Japan-related and interesting enough.

What about selling Japanese books and magazines not related to photography?

If you know the exact title and publisher of the book or magazine, we can get it for you if it is still available in bookstores or online auction sites.

Do you also sell videos and DVDs?

Yes, we sell them upon request through ProxyShop. We don’t have any videos or DVDs in our online catalog, but if you know the specific title, we can get it for you. Note that Japanese DVDs might not work with your DVD player outside Japan.

How about selling camera equipment?

Yes, through our ProxyShop we can sell small camera equipment and accessories, But we won’t sell camera bodies and lenses.

Is there a Japanese version of PhotoReviews?

There is no Japanese version of our book reviews, but there are brief comments in Japanese in the book reviews. Japanese photographer names are also in kanji characters.

Explain the book review format for Special Themes books.

The book review format is explained in detail in the Help pages. Just click on the Help icon on the book review page. The relevant Help page will then pop up in a small window.

What academic qualifications or credentials do you have for reviewing all these books?

I have none. I don’t have any college degree in book reviewing nor in art criticism. I don’t pretend or want to be an academic or an art critic. What you are reading are just general (but informed) comments and impressions from one person on the street who happens to be me.

It’s always more interesting to hear what the ordinary man or woman or consumer on the street thinks. Art critics don’t do a very good job at helping the masses understand art. In fact, I can’t stand how art critics write. They try to sound really intelligent or want to show off their linguistic abilities or vast knowledge with incredibly fancy phrases and words or obscure quotations and references. They love to speak over the heads of the layman.

The result is that you don’t understand what they are trying to say. Not very many people care about what an art critic thinks about a work. Most photographers also prefer to know what ordinary people think about their work. So you should regard my reviews as the voice of a man on the street or the word-of-mouth review. (2002.11.30)

I read your review of the book and it misses the mark. You do not seem to understand the meaning of the photographs or the photographer’s intention.

Fine-art photo books can be difficult to understand. What I write is mainly my own impressions. They may or may not match the ideas or feelings that the photographer wanted to convey.

If the photographer does not provide a comprehensible explanation of his/her photographs in the book, then I can only draw my own conclusions. I don’t ever proclaim my reviews to be correct. They are just my own comments and opinions mixed with any facts that I know to be true.

But since you seem to be very familiar with the photographer and his/her work (maybe you know him/her personally or have talked to him/her), you are welcome to submit your own review or thoughts about the book and I’ll add it to my review on the same Web page. (2001.2.9)

How do the book publishers, photographers, subjects, and your sponsors influence your book selections and reviews? Or do you have total freedom in what you select and write?

There is no pressure from these people. I am completely independent, and I don’t have any special ties with the vast majority of these people. However, meeting the photographer in person does influence my book review, usually in positive ways because it enables me to understand his/her work better and therefore I can write about the book better.

If a photographer friend gives me a complimentary copy, I may likely review it. Mainly though, customer demand and purchasing patterns influence my selection of books to be reviewed here. I also often browse the photo book section at major bookstores in Tokyo and pick up whatever interests me personally, especially with regard to serious or art photo books. I don’t necessarily write a book review in order to sell the book.

In fact, I don’t really care if my book review will sell the book or not. I won’t hype a book that does not deserve it. But more often than not, I usually have a few good things to say about each book because I usually select books which I like and those I think would sell.If you don’t see a book in the PhotoReviews catalog, it does not necessarily mean that it’s not good enough.

There are a lot of photo books that deserve to be included (especially fine-art photo books), but time and money limit the number of books I can acquire, review, and include in the catalog.

I have total freedom in selecting the books to review and sell. Also total freedom in rating the book the way I see it. If I criticize something, I try to be constructive and not insulting. As of this writing, no book publisher, photographer, author, female model, or pop idol has ever complained or protested to me about any of my book reviews.

I should also add that I respect the publisher’s or photographer’s copyrights concerning the book cover images and sample photos provided in PhotoReviews. If the copyright holder requests that his images be deleted, I will comply immediately. But so far, no one has ever complained to me about the sample images provided in PhotoReviews. If there was a complaint, I would delete the image(s) and the entire book review as well (and all other book reviews for that publisher or photographer). I would never review or sell that photographer’s or publisher’s books again. (2002.11.30)

I don’t know anything about Japanese photo books. What kinds of photo books are there?

In large bookstores in Japan, photo books (called shashin-shu in Japanese) are usually categorized as either aidoru shashin-shu (idol photo books) or geijutsu shashin-shu (fine-art photo books). The idol photo books would be in a separate (but usually adjacent) section from the fine-art photo books.

Idol photo books feature a celebrity, usually an actress (or actor), adult-video actress, singer, TV/game show personality, pro wrestler, etc. She could also be a yet-unknown starlet (a wannabe celebrity). The model can be posed nude, in a bikini, or in regular clothes. Idol photo books are mainly produced to promote the idol or her image and to gain public attention. Usually, the photographer is much less important than the female subject.

A subcategory of idol photo books is the “hair nude shashin-shu” which are nude photo books that also expose pubic hair. Showing pubic hair in photographs was banned in Japan up until 1991 when a miracle happened. Celebrity photographer Kishin Shinoyama published Japan’s first “hair nude” idol photo book with water fruit (featuring Kanako Higuchi) and then Santa Fe (with Rie Miyazawa). The authorities did not deem those books obscene, so the dam broke and photographers and publishers feverishly produced hundreds of “hair nude” photo books in the years following. Suddenly, the photo book and magazine market was awash with pubic hair pin-up photos and we saw big-name celebrities one after another putting out a hair nude photo book.

Today, a lot of hair nude photo books continue to be published, but the novelty has worn off. These days, we hardly see any big names posing nude. Idol photo books is a major subculture probably unique to Japan.

The other category is fine-art photo books. This includes all other types of photo books (landscape, documentary, travel, nature photography, etc.). They are the so-called “serious” photo books whose main purpose is to promote the photographer and his/her work or art.

The photo diary book is a major and popular subcategory here. A photo diary is a highly personal and private collection of random snapshots of people (boyfriends, girlfriends, family), things (pets, bowl of cereal, flowers, etc.), scenes (sunset seen from the bedroom window, clouds outside the airplane window, etc.), and activities (brushing teeth, putting on make-up, etc.) as seen or experienced by the photographer. It gained mass appeal beginning in the mid-1990s when a few young Japanese female photographers (such as Yurie Nagashima and Hiromix) won major photo contests and gained a lot of attention for their private snapshots, especially nude self-portraits.

Nobuyoshi Araki is the most famous Japanese photographer working in this category (since 1970) and he has inspired many younger photographers to take photo diary pictures. In Japanese, photo diary books are called shashin nikki. In PhotoReviews, these books can be found in the Photo Diary Books category.

Besides new books, there are also many secondhand photo books for sale at used bookshops in Japan and at Yahoo! Japan Auctions. If the book is out of print and in demand by collectors, it becomes a premium book sold at a higher price, sometimes in the hundreds of dollars or even $1,000. (2004.03.12)

In Japan, which bookstores do you recommend to buy photo books?

Kinokuniya is a major bookstore chain and they have an excellent selection of both idol and fine-art photo books at their two big stores in Shinjuku, Tokyo. (See Shinjuku PhotoMap.) Maruzen is another major bookstore chain in Japan, and they have a lot of imported fine-art photo books.

In Tokyo’s Jimbocho, famous for many bookshops, Shosen Grande and Shosen Book Mart have a large stock of new idol photo books, and Sanseido has a good collection of fine-art photo books by Japanese photographers. In Jimbocho, you can also find bookshops selling used photo books and premium photo books. Prices of premium photo books can vary widely, so shop around to check prices.

Also, in Hachimanyama on the Keio Line starting at Shinjuku, Tokyo, a shop called Culture Station stocks a large, world-class collection of secondhand and premium idol photo books, magazines, posters, and videos.

See PhotoBookshops for a list of bookstores in Japan and overseas that sell Japanese books. (2002.04.05)

How do I find out about new photo books that come out in Japan?

In Japan, the best way is to often go to a bookstore having a large photo book section. Usually the newest photo books are stacked on a low table to catch your eye. See PhotoBookshops for a list of bookstores in Japan (mainly Tokyo) which have a large photo book section.

Photo book publishers also have their own Web sites where they announce and list their photo books. See Publishers Catalog for a list of links to their sites.

You can also browse through weekly magazines and men’s magazines (Friday, Focus, Shukan Post, Penthouse Japan, Shukan Playboy, etc.) which always have a nude or bikini pictorial. The pictorial usually promotes the female model’s upcoming or latest photo book (whose publisher is usually the publisher of that magazine as well). You can see sample photos from the photo book in the magazines.

For serious photo books (fine art, documentary, landscape, etc.), read the major camera magazines such as Asahi Camera and Nippon Camera which have a column reviewing such books.

For FAQs about ordering, payment, and shipping, see iStore FAQ.

CAMERA SERVICE CENTERS IN JAPAN
To find contact info for camera repair in Japan, click on the links below.
Canon | Casio | Epson | FujiFilm | Kenko-Tokina | Kodak | Konica-Minolta |Kyocera | Mamiya | Nikon | Olympus | Panasonic Lumix | Pentax | Polaroid |Ricoh | Sigma | Sony | Tamron | Independent Repair Centers

What is PhotoRepairs?
An English list of camera repair centers in Japan organized according to camera manufacturer. This is where you can find your nearest camera service center in Japan or find out how to send in your camera for repair. In recent years, many manufacturers closed their service centers in regional cities. So now the service centers are concentrated in the largest cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo. All camera makers also offer mail-in repair services where you send in your camera for repair.

How can I repair my camera in Japan?
You can either take your camera to the manufacturer’s service center or call a phone number and find out where to send it for repair. It might also be possible for someone to pick it up at your location. Sometimes your camera dealer can accept cameras for repair.

How long does it take to repair a camera?
It usually takes one week for digital cameras. Certain manufacturers offer a quick repair service or same-day service depending on the camera model, the type of repair, how early in the day you bring in your camera, and how busy they are that day. Call to check. If you are a tourist visiting Japan, you will need to make sure whether the camera will be repaired fast enough while you’re here. Call to check.

Also, if you are registered at a pro service center, you can get it back much faster and at cheaper rates. To be eligible to receive services from a pro service center, you must register and show proof that you are a full-time pro photographer.

What about cleaning my D-SLR’s sensor?
You can usually have it cleaned on the same day you take it in. But if they are busy, it may require overnight service. Best to take your camera earlier in the day, by early afternoon so it will be ready the same day. Or you can call them to ask how long it will take. They might charge for cleaning the sensor, especially if the warranty has expired.

Do they speak English?
Staff at camera repair centers in Japan usually don’t speak English, so when you call, try to have someone who can speak Japanese to inquire for you.

How much will it cost to repair my camera?
For expensive SLR equipment, expect to pay an arm or leg or both. Compact digital cameras usually cost around 8,000 to 13,000 yen to repair. Most service centers have a Web page listing their repair prices. You can also ask by phone for an estimate.

Can I pay by credit card?
Note that camera repair centers do not accept credit cards. Prepare to pay in cash. Even when you send in your camera for repair, it will usually be delivered to you C.O.D. so you will have to pay the delivery person in cash upon receiving the repaired camera.

How should I send my camera to a repair center in Japan?
You should ship it via a courier service called takkyubin (宅急便) available at most convenience stores. Or go to a post office and request Yu-Pack. You fill out the address label with the address and stick it on to the box. You will then receive the receipt that has the package tracking No. in case it gets lost. Better to not send anything via parcel post or regular mail.

What are independent camera service centers?
These are companies that are independent from camera manufacturers. They specialize in repairing old (classic) and discontinued cameras and often manufacture their own spare parts after the camera maker runs out of parts to fix your camera.

In other words, if your camera is too old to be repaired by the manufacturer, then you can take it to an independent camera repair center if it’s worth repairing.

I forgot to bring my warranty card!
If your camera is a new model introduced less than a year ago, it will be obvious that it is still under warranty (usually 1 year), so they will likely repair it under the warranty even if you don’t have the warranty card. But try to bring the warranty card just in case, especially if you have an international waranty.