I'm Going To Japan

Wynter wrote:

It's really extensive, the amount of stuff they had. They have different floors and each is dedicated to something. Like cameras/electronics, manga/anime paraphernalia, books and magazines, toys, stationary, etc. I probably spent half the day there before my peeps forced me to leave. :shamefulcry:

LOL. The department stores and shopping centers in Japan are jaw dropping compared to what's available in the United States. Even as the world's wealthiest country, we have absolutely nothing in my travels across America that even comes remotely close to resembling the dizzing variety of goods stockpiled ARTFULLY in one place. Europe does have some grand department stores that come close but we really don't have an analogue here in the US, even in New York City. The sophistication in terms of presentation is just not there.

Tu_triky wrote:LOL. The department stores and shopping centers in Japan are jaw dropping compared to what's available in the United States. Even as the world's wealthiest country, we have absolutely nothing in my travels across America that even comes remotely close to resembling the dizzing variety of goods stockpiled ARTFULLY in one place. Europe does have some grand department stores that come close but we really don't have an analogue here in the US, even in New York City. The sophistication in terms of presentation is just not there.

Not surprised... Presentation and organization are definitely job #1 with the Japanese: it shows in the stores, the cleanliness of the subways, etc... It puts us Americans to shame, sad to say.

Wynter wrote:

It's really extensive, the amount of stuff they had. They have different floors and each is dedicated to something. Like cameras/electronics, manga/anime paraphernalia, books and magazines, toys, stationary, etc. I probably spent half the day there before my peeps forced me to leave. :shamefulcry:

the toyota amlux showrooms are the same but full of err, toyotas! you won't believe how many models they make. :beaten:

bmwracer wrote:
Not surprised... Presentation and organization are definitely job #1 with the Japanese: it shows in the stores, the cleanliness of the subways, etc... It puts us Americans to shame, sad to say.

I felt all wide-eyed when I checked out stuff like that. Like when you check out the depa chika (i.e. the basement level food halls in the department stores) it is absolutely mindboggling. You literally have dozens upon dozens of vendors/stations selling all kinds of food. It's overwhelming for someone like me who isn't used to seeing such incredible diversity in one place. Our food courts here would constitute one small section of one of these depa chika. One. That's it!

The video below was taken when I was hanging out with EstherM at one of these depa chika...she was going to grab something to eat for dinner later that evening before catching the train back to her place.

It's like food counters as far as the eye can see! And it seems relatively calm in this video but the cacophony of a billion people all in one place scurrying around to pick up grub is really something to be seen!

I believe I posted this video before but I'm just it offering up again to demonstrate my point.

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Tu_triky wrote:

I felt all wide-eyed when I checked out stuff like that. Like when you check out the depa chika (i.e. the basement level food halls in the department stores) it is absolutely mindboggling. You literally have dozens upon dozens of vendors/stations selling all kinds of food. It's overwhelming for someone like me who isn't used to seeing such incredible diversity in one place. Our food courts here would constitute one small section of one of these depa chika. One. That's it!

The video below was taken when I was hanging out with EstherM at one of these depa chika...she was going to grab something to eat for dinner later that evening before catching the train back to her place.

It's like food counters as far as the eye can see! And it seems relatively calm in this video but the cacophony of a billion people all in one place scurrying around to pick up grub is really something to be seen!

I believe I posted this video before but I'm just it offering up again to demonstrate my point.

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Was that you filming? Man, you're tall. :beaten:

Wynter wrote:

Was that you filming? Man, you're tall. :beaten:

HAHA. I wish. It just looks that way because all the oka-sans are small in stature, but I gather that was the gist of your joke. ;)

I didn't get to see the Tokyo Tower the first time around. I drove past it, but didn't stop to check it out. That's why, for this second visit, I made sure to experience it!

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I thought it was amusing how the red car lights seem to form the shape of the Tower itself!
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Wynter wrote:I didn't get to see the Tokyo Tower the first time around. I drove past it, but didn't stop to check it out. That's why, for this second visit, I made sure to experience it!

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I thought it was amusing how the red car lights seem to form the shape of the Tower itself!
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Beautiful lighting due to the fact you took the photos at dusk and after nightfall. I can totally see what you saying about the stream of red brake lights from the cars. Pretty cool. :)

Wynter wrote:I didn't get to see the Tokyo Tower the first time around. I drove past it, but didn't stop to check it out. That's why, for this second visit, I made sure to experience it!

Great shots of the tower. :victory: :applaud:

Wynter wrote:I didn't get to see the Tokyo Tower the first time around. I drove past it, but didn't stop to check it out. That's why, for this second visit, I made sure to experience it!

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Some beautiful shots of the tower. I especially like the two above. I'll be there soon! :dancing:

WhiteHawk wrote:
Some beautiful shots of the tower. I especially like the two above. I'll be there soon! :dancing:

""Ten thousand thundering typhoons!"

Great night shots Wynter ! :applaud:

kenjilina wrote:Great night shots Wynter ! :applaud:

Thanks! They were hard to get. If I hadn't been teaching Photography for five years, I'd have screwed them up. :beaten: Naw, all you need is a good camera and a steady hand.

bmwracer wrote:
Great shots of the tower. :victory: :applaud:

Thanks! I'm so glad I took the time to go. My feet were dead, but it was worth it!

WhiteHawk wrote:
Some beautiful shots of the tower. I especially like the two above. I'll be there soon! :dancing:

Thank you! That first one is my favourite as well!

Wynter wrote:Naw, all you need is a good camera and a steady hand.

Speaking of which, what camera did you use?

bmwracer wrote:
Speaking of which, what camera did you use?

My ol' Nikon DSL-R (D60). It's been to quite a few countries with me!
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The only thing now is, it's a piece of dirt and I can't find where! Either in the mirror or the lens, but it puts a smudge on the right side of every pic. I had to go and photoshop it out of nearly every picture, but you can still see it in some.

Yokohama Chinatown!

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The two pictures below are of the inverted "Y" and "H" to represent Yokohama:
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Entrance to Chinatown
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To the right in this picture you can see the Panda store! I bought A LOT of stuff from here. ^_^;;
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The little shop where I bought a steam bun for lunch. YUM!
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I worked at a supermarket when I was a teen, and having these digital prices would have saved me a whole lot of time! They're so cool!
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Wynter wrote:The only thing now is, it's a piece of dirt and I can't find where! Either in the mirror or the lens, but it puts a smudge on the right side of every pic. I had to go and photoshop it out of nearly every picture, but you can still see it in some.

Do you have another lens to swap out to determine if it's the lens or the sensor?

If it's a smudge, I'd guess it'd have to be the lens, since you'd have to raise the mirror to put your finger on the sensor and I'd think that would be unlikely... Right? :beaten:

Wynter wrote:I worked at a supermarket when I was a teen, and having these digital prices would have saved me a whole lot of time! They're so cool!

In America, people would probably steal 'em. :beaten:

bmwracer wrote:
In America, people would probably steal 'em. :beaten:

LOL!

I'll try switching the lens and see...

Wynter wrote:LOL!

I'm partly joking and partly serious... :sweat: