What’s New – PhotoGuide Japan

Tsuwano, Shimane: Photo museum and more

December 23, 2018 Philbert Ono PhotoSpaces, What's New

Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the small town of Tsuwano in Shimane Prefecture turned out to be a real delight. Surrounded by mountains, it feels like a Swiss resort in the Alps. It has traditional buildings and the famous Taikodani Inari Shrine. Very photogenic place easily accessible from JR Tsuwano Station (JR Yamaguchi Line).

Right near the train station is the Shisei Kuwabara Photographics Museum (桑原史成写真美術館) that exhibits photos by documentary photographer Shisei Kuwabara who is from Tsuwano. The museum also houses the local tourist information office. So it should be your first stop when you arrive. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/r8cR2ueCayM2

Shisei Kuwabara (b. 1936) is most famous for his Minamata disease photos (like W. Eugene Smith).

The Shisei Kuwabara Photographics Museum has only one exhibition room, not huge, but it’s large enough. The museum was originally a documentary photo museum and they asked Kuwabara if they could rename it in 2004. So it exhibits mainly his photos, although it does not preserve or possess his photos. So it’s just an exhibition space. The exhibited photos change periodically. Open 9 am–5 pm, closed on the third Thursday in Jan., April, July, and Oct. when they change the exhibit. Admission ¥300 for adults.

Website: http://www.town.tsuwano.lg.jp/kuwabara_photo/info.html

Right across the street from the photo museum is an art museum dedicated to another local artist (illustrator) named Mitsumasa Anno. Anno Art Museum (安野光雅美術館) opened in 2001 to show artworks by Mitsumasa Anno who was born and raised in Tsuwano.

The first floor is the main exhibition space of Anno Art Museum. The second floor has an old-style classroom (from 1920s design), planetarium, and library.

After seeing the museums, enter Tono-machi road (殿町通り) lined with traditional buildings. You can enter a few of the buildings like the Japan Heritage Center (small local museum) and the Tsuwano Catholic Church (津和野カトリック教会) dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier who visited Japan as a Christian missionary in 1549–50.

Japan Heritage Center’s display of Sagimai White Heron Dance.

At the end of Tono-machi road, there’s a road going to Taikodani Inari Jinja, one of Japan’s Top Five Inari Shinto shrines noted for many vermillion torii gates along the path to the shrine. This is Tsuwano’s main attraction.

Similar to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Taikodani Inari Shrine has many vermilion torii gates on the way up to the shrine. If you cannot walk up, there is a road for cars that goes to the shrine as well. The path of toriis zigzags up the hill. It’s fun to climb up and enjoy the views.

The shrine worships Uka-no-Mitama, a deity associated with food and agriculture, and the goddess Izanami. It is Shimane Prefecture’s second most popular shrine after Izumo Taisha.

If you’ve come this far, you might as well also see the remains of Tsuwano Castle which is a short hike from the shrine. Or walk to novelist Mori Ogai’s birth home across the river.

To see the main sights of Tsuwano, give yourself at least one full day. You should arrive in Tsuwano and stopover the night before. I loved Tsuwano. Laid back and not crowded. Really worth a visit.

More Tsuwano photos here: https://photoguide.jp/pix/index.php?cat=351

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Japan’s first nude poster

April 19, 2018 Philbert Ono What's New

by Philbert Ono

In 1922, Torii Shoten (鳥井商店), the forerunner of Osaka-based beverage maker Suntory, made this poster to promote its “Akadama Port Wine” in Japan. Dubbed “Japan’s first nude poster,” it became an instant sensation.

It has become one of Japan’s most iconic and classic images. Any book about Japan’s advertising history or photographic history would include this historical poster. The nascent start of the “sex sells” concept in Japan. Needless to say, thanks to this poster, they sold a lot of this wine.

The poster was also very controversial during a very conservative period in Japan. The “nude” model was Emiko Matsushima (松島栄美子), a stage actress. A young woman posing like this was unthinkable and taboo in those days, and she was subject to police questioning for obscenity and other public harassment. She was even disowned by her siblings and all her relatives. Poor girl.

Emiko was the prima donna of a musical troupe (赤玉楽劇座) created specifically to promote Akadama Port Wine. The troupe went around Japan for a year to entertain wine retailers and customers. She was originally from Tokyo and worked as a stage actress before her famous gig.

Afterward, she moved back to Tokyo, married an NHK employee before World War II, had a son, and lived out her final years quietly in an apartment in Takadanobaba, Tokyo. Shortly before she died in 1983 at age 90, her nephew took a picture (below) of her posing with her famous poster at home.

Emiko Matsushima in 1983 with the famous 1922 poster of herself. Source: Sankei

Not much is known about the process of making this iconic shot. Torii reasoned that no matter how good a product was, it would be no use if people didn’t know about it. And so apparently he was in favor of a sensational PR campaign.

The photographer was KATAOKA Toshiro (片岡敏郎) who worked in the company’s PR department. Kataoka was already well-known in the advertising business as exceptionally talented, progressive, and innovative. He was the one who formed the musical troupe to promote the Akadama Port Wine.

He rented a photo studio in Osaka for a total of six days in May 1922 and took many shots of Emiko starting with her dressed in a kimono. Then he posed her in her underclothing, and eventually topless. Kataoka took about 50 to 60 shots per pose.

The final poster was made in a sepia tone with only the red wine standing out in color. The poster later won 1st place at a world poster contest held in Germany.

Akadama Port Wine displayed at the Yamazaki Whisky Museum in Osaka.

Suntory was founded in 1899 as an imported wine shop named Torii Shoten (鳥井商店) in Osaka by Shinjiro Torii (鳥井信治郎). It mainly sold Spanish wines, but they didn’t sell well in Japan. So Torii produced his own sweet wine named “Akadama Port Wine” in 1907 (still sold today as “Akadama Sweet Wine”).

Akadama Port Wine was the first product made by Suntory. “Akadama” means “red ball” in reference to the sun (like on the Japanese flag). Helped by this nude poster, Akadama Port Wine sold well in Japan and Torii used the profits to try and make whisky. And the rest is history. Suntory now makes just about anything you can drink besides alcoholic beverages. Soft drinks, coffee, and even mineral water.

The company was renamed Kotobukiya in 1921, and then “Suntory” in 1963 after its main whisky. The name “Suntory” comes from “Sun” and the founder’s name “Torii.” The “Sun” comes from the “Akadama” red sun.

If you are in Kyoto or Osaka, I highly recommend taking a tour (only ¥1,000) of the Suntory Yamazaki Distillery, a short train ride from JR Kyoto Station. Reservations are required. The distillery also has a museum, whisky-tasting bar, and gift shop. Great for whisky fans.

Tour inside Suntory Yamazaki Distillery.

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Japanese buzzword for 2017: Insta-bae

November 10, 2017 Philbert Ono PhotoNews, What's New

NHK TV program about the Instagram boom.

At the end of each year, a major Japanese publisher of reference books gives an award to the year’s most popular buzzword. The Japanese press gives this wide coverage to reflect the current times. Thirty words have been nominated for this honor in 2017 and one of them is photography-related.

It is “Insta-bae” (インスタ映え) which basically means “taking photos to show-off on Instagram.”

On the morning of Sept. 16, 2017, NHK TV in Japan aired a very interesting program about the Instagram boom in Japan. It was a discussion among a few celebrities and social media experts. They talked about the major aspects and issues about Instagram use, especially by young women in Japan.

The keywords for popular Instagrammers were “Kawaii,” “Kolorful,” and “Kako” (digital filters/enhancement). That’s what you need to focus on to become an Instagram star. One example they showed was a girl named “Nano” who used a pink theme to show confections. (Her Instagram wall is pink.)

The motivation behind Instagram is to show something “Right now,” “Only here,” and “Only me.” It’s about instant, fleeting, and unique moments plus You, the star. Vis-a-vis other conventional social media which was more about “Anytime,” “Anywhere,” and “Anybody.”
They also mentioned that a whopping 40% of Instagrammers and social media users in Japan were going on trips and to restaurants mainly to post photos on social media. So it’s creating economic ripples as they buy train tickets, food, etc.

It’s a great way to publicize products and businesses and for marketers to see current consumer trends and preferences. Many amusement facilities have set-up picture-taking ops or backgrounds just for these Instagrammers. Like a water park providing mermaid costumes for girls to wear for Instagram photos.

The social media experts also cited major differences between Instagram and Twitter. On Instagram, at least in Japan, there is a culture of praising each other. Post on Instagram and people will give you compliments. While on Twitter, you can be subject to flaming or criticism. (“Your makeup/hair looks ugly today!” etc.) So Japanese users seem to favor Instagram over Twitter.

Renting fake friends for a fake party photo.

On the darker side, users can become obsessed with the numbers game of gaining more “Likes” and comments. Their lives may revolve around social media so much that it affects their work or mental health. They might also go as far as posting fake or staged photos. Like borrowing a friend’s Gucci bag and posting it as their own. Or renting fake friends (¥8,000/person for 2 hours) to pose with you at a fake party so you can post the photos (photo above). Then there are followers who get tired of keeping up with all these people leading “exciting and wonderful” lives. The drudgery of “liking” all these photos…

If you can read Japanese, you can see the complete list of 2017’s nominated buzzwords in Japan here: http://singo.jiyu.co.jp/

They will announce the winner of 2017’s buzzword award on Dec. 1 at 5:00 pm.

UPDATE: On Dec. 1, 2017, “Insta-bae” was indeed selected as a co-winner as Japan’s buzzword of the year in 2017. CONGRATULATIONS to us and our photo world/culture in Japan!! Camera makers are responding to this phenomenon by offering Insta-bae-friendly cameras.

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Dawn of Japanese Photography: The Anthology

March 6, 2017 Philbert Ono What's New

TOKYO PHOTOGRAPHIC ART MUSEUM in Ebisu, Tokyo is holding a major exhibition called “Dawn of Japanese Photography: The Anthology” about vintage/early Japanese photography on March 7–May 7, 2017.

On March 26 at 3 pm to 6 pm, a number of Japanese and foreign experts will give a talk for the “International Symposium: Photography in Bakumatsu Japan” in the museum’s 1st floor hall. Free admission.

On April 13 (4 pm) and April 14 (6 pm), Japan Times writer Alice Gordenker will give a tour of the above exhibition in English. Free with museum admission, no reservations required.

For details, see the official web page in English: https://topmuseum.jp/e/contents/exhibition/index-2577.html

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Correct pronunciation of bokeh

February 6, 2017 Philbert Ono What's New

Phil Schiller introducing bokeh feature.

If you keep up with iPhone news, you might know about the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus’s camera with the new bokeh effect for portraits. After watching video reviews of the iPhone 7/Plus on YouTube, I’ve noticed that many people are pronouncing “bokeh” incorrectly.

It might be because Phil Schiller (senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple Inc.) pronounced it wrong when he introduced the feature at the Apple Special Event introducing the new iPhone 7 on Sept. 7, 2017 in San Francisco. (Video link here, fast forward to 71:50.)

I want people to know that “bokeh” should be pronounced “bo-kay” (“kay” rhymes with say, may, day, etc.) not “bo-ka” or “bokah” as Mr. Schiller pronounced it. “Bokeh” comes from the Japanese word “bokeru” which means “blur.” “Bokeru” can also refer to a senile person, meaning that the person is not mentally “sharp.”

And don’t ever pronounced it “bakah” or “baka,” especially when you’re taking someone’s portrait. Because that means “idiot.”

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Photobook Diner Megutama

March 28, 2016 Philbert Ono What's New

Photobook Diner Megutama (写真集食堂めぐたま)

I finally visited Photobook Diner Megutama in Ebisu, Tokyo. Opened two years ago, it’s a diner with 5,000 photobooks that you can freely thumb through before or after you have lunch or coffee. The photobooks come from the collection of Iizawa Kotaro (飯沢耕太郎), Japan’s most prominent and prolific photo critic and author.

This entire wall and a smaller wall in the back of the diner is covered from floor to ceiling with photobooks (shashinshu). Quite overwhelming to see inside an eatery. The books are organized according to period. Books from earlier years (including prewar) are on the left. The books get progressively more recent toward the right. The wall in the back has mainly oversize books and foreign photobooks. Notice the ladder for access to the higher shelves.

The diner has a counter as well as regular tables in the back.

Iizawa Kotaro

When I visited on a Sunday, I was lucky to find Iizawa Kotaro having lunch there too. After lunch, I talked to him for a few minutes about the collection. He says it’s about two-thirds of his entire collection. Which means he must have a big house to store all those books. He buys about 200 photobooks a year. That’s 3-4 books a week! And yet, he says that he’s not a photobook collector because he buys the books as part of his job.

Although Iizawa is not really a photographer, he is a celebrity in Japan’s photography world (but not quite a rock star). He writes regularly for major camera magazines, teaches, judges, lectures, etc., etc. Very active in many ways related to Japanese photography. Iizawa was easy to talk to, and I shot this picture of him. He encouraged me to spread the word about the diner.

The most valuable photobooks are locked up in this glass case. You need to ask Iizawa to open the case if you want to see a book in here.

Full collection of Moriyama Daido photobooks.

Curry rice. Most meals cost around 1,500–2,500 yen.

Food is healthy. The diner also holds meeting and lectures. Iizawa is a frequent speaker. They also raise money for charities like a primary school in Nepal.

Photobook Diner Megutama is a short walk from Ebisu Station (JR Yamanote Line and Hibiya Line), but somewhat out of the way. It’s not in a place with heavy foot traffic. But if you like photobooks, this place is a must-see. Closed Mondays. See the website for hours.

Website in English: http://megutama.com/en/
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/R2u1KNdMTjn

Address:
3-2-7-1F Higashi
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-6805-1838
Email: megutamatokyo@gmail.com

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CP+ 2016 Yokohama Camera Show

February 28, 2016 Philbert Ono PhotoNews, What's New

The CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2016 was held on Feb.25-28, 2016 at PACIFICO YOKOHAMA. The new thing was the CP+ Used Camera Fair and Outlet Fair for camera accessories held on the 2nd floor above the camera show.

Canon booth had these fantastic rhythmic gymnasts doing their stuff for photographers trying out the new EOS 80D and EOS-1D X Mark II.

Sony booth was full of people to hear train fanatic/photographer Nakai Seiya give a slide show. Besides his passion, his ordinary and down-to-earth personality has made him very popular.

Nakai Seiya has become really popular and famous in Japan for shooting trains. He shoots at least one picture of a train every single day (since 2004).

Nikon booth

Flowery Olympus models.

Epson

DJI had a netted booth to demo an impressive flyng drone. Supposedly crash proof from dead batteries. It can also lock on to a fixed position so if any wind or bird knocked it, it would return to its fixed position automatically.

FujiFilm calls its exploded camera “Decomposition.” Sounds rotten, but it wasn’t.

JCII Camera Museum displayed the earliest cameras in history. Camera obscura.

Wet plate camera complete with portable darkroom.

Sony Mavica, basically the world’s first electronic still video camera in 1981 and harbinger of digital cameras.

CP+ Used Camera Fair is held for the 1st time together with CP+. They might do this every year from now on. On the 2nd floor (above the camera show).

Together with the used cameras, they had an outlet area for discounted camera accessories like tripods, monopods, bags, and more by major brands like Manfrotto, Etsumi, and Velbon.

In Queen’s Square is this Minato Mirai Gallery that you will pass by on the way to CP+. Very good (and graphic) exhibition of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb photos. Free admission.

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Camera stores in Japan

February 1, 2016 Philbert Ono PhotoVendors, What's New

Yodobashi Akiba

This is a list of major camera shops in Japan’s major cities. Yodobashi and BIC Camera are the largest camera chain stores. Most of the websites provide a map of the store’s location. Besides brick and mortar stores, we can buy camera equipment online at Amazon Japan and Yahoo Japan Auctions. For used camera stores in Tokyo, see this list. Also see the PhotoVendors FAQ.

Compiled by Philbert Ono, updated: Feb. 1, 2016

TOKYO Area Camera Shops

BIC CAMERA – Ikebukuro Main Store
Address: 東京都豊島区東池袋1-41-5
Higashi Ikebukuro 1-41-5
Toshima-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 170-0013
Phone: (03) 5396-1111
Remarks: Besides cameras, household appliances and sports equipment also sold.
Near Ikebukuro Station.

BIC Camera is a major camera and electrical appliance chain in Japan. The largest branches are listed here. Most are open from 10 am to 10 pm. For maps, more store locations, and other info, see their website: http://www.biccamera.co.jp.e.lj.hp.transer.com/shoplist/index.html

BIC CAMERA – Shibuya Hachiko Store
Address: 東京都渋谷区道玄坂2-5-9
Dogenzaka 2-5-9
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 170-8419
Phone: (03) 3477-0002
Remarks: Near Shibuya Station’s Hachiko (the dog) Exit.

BIC CAMERA – Shibuya Higashiguchi Store
Address: Shibuya 1-24-12
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 150-0002
Phone: (03) 5466-1111
Remarks: On the corner near Shibuya Station’s East Exit.

BIC CAMERA – Shin-Yokohama Store
Address: 神奈川県横浜市港北区新横浜2-100-45 キュービックプラザ新横浜3F～9F
Shin-Yokohama 2-100-45 (Cubic Plaza 3rd–9th floors), Kohoku-ku
Yokohama, Kanagawa, JAPAN 222-0033
Phone: (045) 478-1111
Remarks: Near Shin-Yokohama Station.

Bic Camera – Shinjuku Nishiguchi Store
Address: 東京都新宿区西新宿1-5-1 ハルク 2F-7F
Nishi Shinjuku 1-5-1 (Halc 2nd–7th floors)
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 160-0023
Phone: (03) 5326-1111
Remarks: Right near JR Shinjuku Station’s West Exit. Huge store occupying 5 floors along with Bic P kan which is a computer store. It shares the same building as Odakyu HALC. Excellent selection of camera equipment, studio equipment, and personal computer equipment.

BIC CAMERA – Yurakucho Store
Address: Yurakucho 1-11-1
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 100-0006
Phone: (03) 5221-1111
Remarks: In front of JR Yurakucho Station. Occupies the building that was the Sogo Dept. Store.

BIC Camera has other branches in other major cities. See the list here http://www.biccamera.co.jp.e.lj.hp.transer.com/shoplist/index.html

Gin-ichi Studio Shop
東京都中央区月島1-14-9
Address: Tsukishima 1-14-9
Chuo-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
Phone: 03-5548-5131　FAX: 03-5548-5135
URL: http://www.ginichi.com/
http://www.studioshop.jp/servicemenu
Remarks: Gin-ichi is geared for professionals.

Yodobashi Camera – Akihabara (Akiba)
Address: 東京都千代田区神田花岡町1-1 ヨドバシカメラマルチメディアAkiba
Kanda Hanaoka-cho 1-1
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 101-0028
Phone: (03) 5209-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0018/index.html
Hours: 9:30-22:00
Remarks: Huge branch of Tokyo’s favorite camera store. Right in front of JR Akihabara Station. The building also contains a bookstore (Yurindo), music shop (Tower Records), and restaurants which close at 11 pm.

Yodobashi Camera – Kinshicho Branch
Address: Termina Bldg. 1F, Koto-bashi 3-14-5
Sumida-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 130-8580
Phone: (03) 3632-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0023/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 21:00
Remarks: Full-fledged camera and computer store.
Right in the station building at JR Kinshicho Station (Sobu Line) South exit. Occupies the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors.

Yodobashi Camera – Machida Branch
Address: Hara Machida 1-1-11, Machida-shi
Tokyo, JAPAN 194-0013
Phone: (042) 721-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0027/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Right outside JR Machida Station South exit.

Yodobashi Camera – Shinjuku Higashi-guchi Store
Address: Shinjuku 3-26-7
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
Phone: (03) 3356-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0013/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: This store is right near the East exit of JR Shinjuku Station. A convenient place to pick up film before boarding the train. Note that there is a bigger store (Higashi-guchi Branch) slightly farther away.

Yodobashi Camera – Shinjuku Nishi-guchi Main store
Address: 東京都新宿区西新宿1-11-1
Nishi-Shinjuku 1-11-1
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 160-0023
Phone: (03) 3346-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0011/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 21:30
Remarks: Large camera store in Tokyo. Near this main store, you can also find other Yodobashi specialty shops such as for computers (Multimedia-kan), televisions (Terebi-kan), video games (Game/Music-kan), watches (Tokei Sogo-kan), and audio-visual equipment (AV Sogo-kan). Near JR Shinjuku Station West Exit (Nishi-guchi).

Yodobashi Camera – Ueno Store
Address: Ueno 4-10-10
Taito-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN 110-0005
Phone: (03) 3837-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0025/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Full-fledged camera store. Near JR Ueno Station.

Yodobashi Camera – Yokohama Store
Address: Kita Saiwai 1-2-7, Nishi-ku
Yokohama, Kanagawa, JAPAN 220-0005
Phone: (045) 313-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0033/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 21:00
Remarks: Near JR Yokohama Station.

Yodobashi also has stores in Kichijoji, Hachioji, Machida, Kawasaki (Kanagawa), Kamiooka (Yokohama), Chiba, and Utsunomiya (Tochigi).

OSAKA Camera Shops

BIC CAMERA – Namba Store
Address: 大阪府大阪市中央区千日前2-10-1
Sennichimae 2-10-1
Chuo-ku, Osaka, JAPAN 542-0074
Phone: (06) 6634-1111
Remarks: Near Namba Station and Nipponbashi Station.

Camera Naniwa – Shinsaibashi Main Store　カメラのナニワ
Address: 1-3-12 Shinsaibashi 1 Building 2nd Floor
Chuo-ku, Osaka, JAPAN 542-8678
Phone: (06) 6281-4133
URL: http://www.cameranonaniwa.co.jp/shop_list/english.html
Remarks: Near Shinsaibashi Station (Midosuji subway line) Exit 5 and 6. Main store of this chain store.

Camera Sanwa
Address: Horie Bldg. 1st floor
Kita Horie 1-1-15
Nishi-ku, Osaka, JAPAN 550-0014
Phone: (06) 6536-2000
Fax: (06) 6538-3792
URL: http://www.camera-sanwa.co.jp/
Hours: 10:00 – 18:30 (till 18:00 on Sun.), closed Sun.
Remarks: Used and new camera equipment.
Near Shinsaibashi Station and Yotsubashi Station.

Fujii Camera
Address: 大阪市中央区心斎橋1-3-12　Trillo心斎橋2階
Trillo Shinsaibashi 2nd floor
Shinsaibashi 1-3-12
Chuo-ku, Osaka, JAPAN 542-0085
Phone: (06) 6281-0398
Fax: (06) 6281-0398
URL: http://www.fujiicamera.com/
Hours: 11:00-19:00 (till 18:00 on Sun.), closed Wed. and 2nd Sun., national holidays
Remarks: Classic cameras. Near Shinsaibashi Station. Map: http://www.fujiicamera.com/tenpo.html

Ohbayashi Camera
Address: Osaka Ekimae Daiichi Bldg. 1st floor
Umeda 1-3, 1-100
Kita-ku, Osaka, JAPAN 530-0001
Phone: (06) 6341-8091
Fax: (06) 6341-8039
URL: http://www.camera-no-ohbayashi.co.jp/
Hours: 9:30-20:00 (M-F), 10:00-19:30 (Sat.), 10:00-19:00 (Sun.)
Remarks: New and used camera equipment.
Near JR Osaka Station.

OS Camera Service
Address: 大阪市北区鶴野町4番コープ野村 A棟1120号
Kita-ku, Osaka, JAPAN
Phone: (06) 6373-7300
URL: http://www.os-camera.com/
Hours: 11:00-19:00, closed Sun., national holidays
Remarks: Used camera equipment near Umeda Station.

Yodobashi Camera – Umeda (Osaka) Branch
Address: 大阪市北区大深町1-1
Ofukacho 1-1
Kita-ku, Osaka, JAPAN 530-0011
Phone: (06) 4802-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0081/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Yodobashi’s big Osaka store is right near JR Osaka Station and Hankyu Umeda Station.

KYOTO Camera Shops

Camera no Naniwa – Kyoto Store
カメラのナニワ京都店
Address: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Shijo Street, gokomachi naramono-cho, 372
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, JAPAN
Phone: (075) 257-7100
URL: http://www.cameranonaniwa.co.jp/shop_list/english.html
Hours: 10:00-20:00
Remarks: Near Shijo-Kawaramachi Station.

Media Joy Camera
(075) 257-5435
Fax: (075) 257-5433
URL: http://www.mediajoy.com/mjc/
Hours: 10:00-18:30, closed Sat., Sun.
Remarks: Classic cameras. Mail order only.

Yodobashi Camera – Kyoto Branch
Address: 京都府京都市下京区京都駅前　京都タワー横
Kyoto Tower-yoko, Kyoto Ekimae
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, JAPAN 600-8216
Phone: (075) 351-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0083/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Yodobashi’s big Kyoto store is next to Kyoto Tower near JR Kyoto Station.

NAGOYA Camera Shops

Asahido Camera
Address: 名古屋市中区栄3-28-36
Sakae 3-28-36
Naka-ku
Nagoya, Aichi, JAPAN 460-0008
Phone: (052) 242-4188
Fax: (052) 261-6089
URL: http://www.asahidocamera.com/
Hours: 9:30-19:30, closed Tue., Sat.
Remarks: New and used camera equipment. Also repairs cameras.
Near Yabacho subway station, Exit 5. Walk on the right for 100 meters, and see the yellow building.

Bic Camera, Nagoya Station Nishi Branch
Address: 〒453-0015 愛知県名古屋市中村区椿町6-9
Tsubakicho 6-9, Nakamura-ku
Nagoya, Aichi, JAPAN 453-0015
Phone: (052) 459-1111
URL: http://www.biccamera.co.jp.e.lj.hp.transer.com/shoplist/index.html
Hours: 10:00 – 21:00, open every day
Remarks: Connected to the west side of JR Nagoya Station. Bic’s third largest store in Japan. Opened on Nov. 7, 2003.

Top Camera
Address: Nishiki 3-25-12
Naka-ku
Nagoya, Aichi, JAPAN 460-0003
Phone: (052) 971-0111
Fax: (052) 971-8892
URL: http://www.topcamera.co.jp/store_info/index_e.html
Hours: 10:00-20:00
Remarks: Large store stocking new and used camera equipment. Accepts trade-ins for new equipment. Duty-free shopping too.
Near Sakae Station (Higashiyama subway line), Exit 6. Branch store in Osu 3-30-86 (Daiichi Ameyoko Bldg.).

Northern Japan Camera Shops (Tohoku and Hokkaido)

BIC CAMERA – Sapporo Store
Address: 北海道札幌市中央区北5条2-1
Kita 5-jo 2-1, Chuo-ku
Sapporo, Hokkaido, JAPAN 060-0005
Phone: (011) 261-1111
URL:
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Remarks: Near JR Sapporo Station.
Map: http://www.biccamera.co.jp.e.lj.hp.transer.com/shoplist/index.html

Camera no Koseki/ Photo Tec
Address: 宮城県仙台市青葉区一番町4-2-10 仙台東映プラザ1F
Sendai Toei Plaza 1st floor, Ichibancho 4-2-10
Aoba-ku
Sendai, Miyagi, JAPAN 980-0811
Phone: (022) 222-3560
Fax: (022) 222-7135
URL: http://www.koseki.co.jp/shops/shop/phototec_ichibancho.html
Hours: 10:00-20:00
Remarks: New and used camera equipment.
Near JR Sendai Station.

Yodobashi Camera – Multimedia Koriyama Store
Address: 福島県郡山市駅前1-16-7
Ekimae 1-16-7, Koriyama-shi
Fukushima, JAPAN 963-8002
Phone: (024) 931-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0053/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Next to JR Koriyama Station West exit.

Yodobashi Camera – Multimedia Sapporo Store
Address: Kita 6-jo Nishi 5-1-22, Kita-ku
Sapporo, Hokkaido, JAPAN 060-0806
Phone: (011) 808-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0063/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Near JR Sapporo Station North exit in Hokkaido.

Yodobashi Camera – Multimedia Sendai Store
Address: 仙台市宮城野区榴岡1-2-13
Tsutsujigaoka 1-2-13, Miyagino-ku
Sendai, Miyagi, JAPAN 983-0852
Phone: (022) 295-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0058/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Right outside JR Sendai Station East Exit.

Yodobashi Camera – Niigata Store
Address: 新潟県新潟市花園1-1-1
Hanazono 1-1-1
Niigata-shi, Niigata, JAPAN 950-0086
Phone: (025) 249-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0051/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: In the JR Niigata Station building South exit.

KYUSHU Camera Shops

Yodobashi Camera – Hakata Store
Address: 福岡県福岡市博多区博多駅中央街6-12
Hakata-eki Chuogai 6-12
Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka JAPAN 812-0012
Phone: (092) 471-1010
Map: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0088/index.html
Hours: 09:30 – 22:00
Remarks: Near JR Hakata Station Chikushi exit.

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