Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to explore more of Tokyo and capture some of the incredible moments and views scattered throughout this massive city. Mainly to take pictures, but also maybe just a little bit to be that cool, hip guy with a camera. Anyway, I’ve been seeing a lot of photography content online ,more specifically stuff relating to taking photos in Tokyo—where to take photos, the general adventure of street photography, and so on. So, I decided to give it a try and bought my first camera last month: a used Nikon D3100. After a lot of research, it seemed to be the best entry camera for me to get started.
From what I’ve gathered so far, it seems like I got a really good deal as well. The camera came with a lens, a strap, two batteries, and even a carrying case. Surprisingly, the camera itself is quite spotless, especially considering the previous owners had it since it’s release. After buying it, it really reinforces what I’ve already noticed a few times when buying used items in Japan: Japanese people REALLY take good care of their stuff. I am constantly surprised at not only how well things are taken care of, but also at how often things marked as “Class B” and “Class C” are in much better condition than you’d expect from similar items in the same categories in the U.S. (Of course, you still have to be careful.)
That said, it seems I might not have made the best decision with this particular camera. The photos that have been inspiring me recently are mostly nighttime shots, and from what I’ve gathered online, this camera isn’t great in low-light situations. But hey, that’s a challenge I’m willing to TAKE! So with that in mind, I did a little bit of research on how to take photos (just the basics), watched some tutorials on how to use my camera, and then set out to shoot some shots.
My first, last and only stop this time was Ikebukuro, a district located in northwestern portion of central Tokyo, a place I go to quite often and know quite well. It’s place with plenty of night time views and hidden rooftops. Now there is a certain feeling of being up, right in the middle of the city, that I’m not sure if I’ve managed to captured with my pictures. I’m not sure how to describe it, but Tokyo’s cityscapes really make you feel a certain way. Sometimes, you really feel as if you are in a world of concrete and pipes and building fixtures. It makes me feel as if the city of Neo-Tokyo in Akira really isn’t all that farfetched—just a bit more extreme than the real modern Tokyo. It really is a special feeling. Especially when you go out in the middle of the night when there are barely any people around, it’s as if the city is alive and you’re the only one witnessing its breathing… you know, if I can say that without sounding like I belong in a pretentious indie movie.
Honestly, though, I really need to explore Tokyo more at night. It’s such a unique experience, and there are so many incredible sights and experiences to be had. The trick is having the willpower to stay up and not sleep too much. But I can definitely recommend it to anyone living or visiting Japan. It’s such a unique experience and honestly, it’s one of the few cities in the world where you can wander through every alley, nook, and cranny in the middle of the night and feel completely safe doing so. Anyways, I’m still new when it comes to photography, but I think the photos turned out alright.
Would you spend some time in the dark hours to explore the city?