NIKON Z 8 (26mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO200)
Location number three on our second full day in Japan. Dōntonbori, Osaka.
For whatever reason we are almost on a run the first couple of days on vacation. Japan makes no difference. Seems we can’t wait to see new places. We just arrived two days ago in Tokyo, took the Shinkansen to Osaka and spent the first full day sightseeing in Kyoto.
We already had lunch in Shinsekai and we are invited for dinner so we can’t even eat here in one of the many food stalls. Guess we just have to walk and shoot.
NIKON Z 8 (26mm, f/8, 1/500 sec, ISO200)
NIKON Z 8 (26mm, f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO250)
NIKON Z 8 (26mm, f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO320)
This is one of the busiest areas in Osaka and it is easy to see why. It’s located on a canal with restaurants on both sides. It has those cheap and over the top crazy vibes that I just love. It is colourful, busy and loud. Almost exactly the opposite for what Japan is famous for.
Of course I also love Japanese design, the inspiration for Bauhaus, that changed modern architecture around the world. The simplicity, the natural materials, the clear lines, the removal of distracting elements, the connection to nature. But you can have this practically on every corner in Japan or in your hotel room. Everywhere you are surrounded by class leading design and elegance. That’s why places like this stand out even more.
NIKON Z 8 (103mm, f/8, 1/1000 sec, ISO200)
NIKON Z 8 (50mm, f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO1100)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO900)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec, ISO200)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO1400)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/2, 1/1000 sec, ISO200)
We walked along the canal and up and down the main street. We more or less walked since we left the hotel in the morning. Same as yesterday when we explored Kyoto by foot. This is very different to our vacation in the USA where we drive from one place to another. Of course there is the occasional hike in on of the national parks but it is mostly driving. Here it is mostly walking. This difference has important implications on two things: camera gear and footwear:
I brought my new Nikon Z8 with a bunch of lenses that I carried around all day in a Peakdesign 30l Everyday Backpack. So I clearly didn’t care about lightweight camera gear but I still recommend to keep camera gear as simple as possible. If you shoot Sony the A7CII or A7CR plus the 20-70/4 would be a perfect compact solution. If you are really into wide angle and want faster the new 16-25/2.8 plus the 24-50/2.8 or again the 20-70/4 would be another great solution. Regarding Nikon there is no real compact and light full frame option. The closest would be a Z5II or Zf depending on your taste plus the 24-120/4 and the 20/1.8 or the 20/2.8 from Viltrox if you only occasionally shoot wide. I would also add the 26/2.8 in case you want to go ultra light in the evening. I have to admit that I would love to see Nikon to make something like the 20-70/4 or even better a compact 20-50/2.8.
Regarding foot wear I made sure that I chose the most comfortable option that also offered some style so that it doesn’t look out of place in an urban setting. I brought two pair of sneakers. The ones in the picture above are Sketchers with a ridiculous soft memory foam inner sole and excellent ventilation. The other pair was an On cloud 5 WP. Weather proof sneakers with elastic laces which make a lot of sense in Japan where you have to remove your shoes on many occasions (temples, some restaurants, …). So here is another top travel tip for Japan: make sure that your socks have no holes.
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO3600)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO1000)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO720)
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO560)
The busiest spot in this busy area is the bridge over the canal in front of the Glico man. Glico is a big food processing company most famous for Pocky. If you have no idea what Pocky is you have missed out. Just google it. In Japan Pocky comes in many different flavours not just chocolate or strawberry. There is also green tea or rich matcha or chocolate banana and much more. The company is over 100 years old and the first Glico man sign has been installed almost 90 years ago. It has become the landmark of Dōntonbori.
We finally got tired of walking and decided to take a taxi back to the hotel in order to shower and to dress up for dinner. Taxis are not cheap in Japan but they are also not prohibitive expensive. They are a very good option if you change hotels or if you are just tired and not in the mood of public transport during rush hour. More about that in my next blog post.
NIKON Z 8 (20mm, f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO3200)
NIKON Z 8 (26mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO1250)
After a day of walking a taxi ride is just pure magic. You effortlessly glide through the streets. Perfect! It’s easy to see why cars have become popular. 😉
To ride in a taxi in Japan is even better because no matter how old the car it is always pristine and you can be sure that the white, lacy fabric that covers the head rests are exchanged on a daily basis. Taxi drivers usually wear a uniform or a dark suit and often white gloves and very often they are clearly beyond retirement age. The whole experience is excellent. I prefer the old Toyota Comfort or Crown Sedan over the new MPV Taxi (also from Toyota) because of their super soft suspension and their iconic look. If you ever been to Singapore or Hong Kong you know them for sure. The new taxis also have their advantages. Head room is massive. You could wear a top hat if that would still be a thing.
Another Japan travel tip: Never open or close the taxi door yourself! The driver does this via a long steel lever from his driver seat. It’s not easy to upset a Japanese taxi driver but this is one way to do it.
Back in our hotel I took a quick picture of the Christmas tree in the reception area. Christmas is still more than a month away but that is no reason not to go all in on Christmas decoration now.
NIKON Z 8 (26mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec, ISO2000)