I wanted to take photography, but didn't have films with me. So, I chose to start from Akihabara so I can buy some films at Yodobashi Camera. Akihabara is now one of Japan's top tourism spots as well as world's weirdest town. It used to be a market city for fruits and vegetables, but it has imperceptibly become the original place of subculture. So, I loaded my films and started to walk around the town expecting to find something interesting.
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I only had a rough plan of my route: electric town, Kanda Myoujin and Yushima Seido, Ochanomizu musical instruments town, antiquarian bookstore town. Actually, they're close to each other, but it must be exciting to walk around because each area has its own character.
The lens is my favorite Zeiss Planar 50mm F2. A wide lens would be nice for shooting in narrow alleys, but this time I bravely brought just one lens. The Zeiss Ikon body fits with the lens perfectly. Because it has AE, all I have to do is to frame, focus, and take it easy!
Electric town is of course a great place to look for electrical appliances or computers, but in small shops you can find parts like transistors or condensers sold loosely, junks that needs repair, softwares for Windows 95, products made by individuals in the showcases. You won't find such a variety of products in other places. There must be a shop for a certain needs somewhere, but you need to go there many times in order to look around efficiently. Yes, this town is deep.
Once hopping into the alley, the area become very quiet. There're old buildings and houses. And, there're people in the park. Here, you won't believe you're in the urban area on holiday.
If you head for Ochanomizu, you will soon find the torii (Shinto shrine archway) of Kanda Myoujin. I always stop by Amanoya before praying. Some of you may have heard about his café because it has been around since Edo period. They have a great amazake and it's a perfect place for taking a rest.
A cold amazake. It tastes even better on a hot summer day.
Soon after the sky became darker, it started to rain. Should I stop shooting because it rains? Never. Of course, there's no AF in the rangefinder camera and shooting becomes a little more difficult, but there're pictures that you can take only when it rains. Rain gives you chances to take wet scenery. So, don't be discouraged and just keep looking at the rainy scenes.
Yushima Seido used to be the central place for learning in Edo period. Under the roof, there were two couples of different generations. Thank you, rain!
The Nikolaido is easy to be missed because it stands behind the office buildings. This is a Greek Orthodox Church and famous for Japan's largest Byzantine architecture. I only looked from outside because I thought it was an important place for the followers, but later I found that anyone can visit there.
After passing Ochanomizu musical instrumental/student town, soon you'll arrive at the Jimbocho antiquarian book town. If you enter the alley from a main street, you'll enter the quiet old town. Each antique book store has their specialties and they make this town so deep. There may be some old photography books as well, so I should come back here after I do some research of this area.
Photo walk means having fun stopping by randomly. Just go inside when you find a café that tempts you. Among the many wonderful cafés, I chose "Trois Bagues" today. You can find it right nearby the Jimbocho intersection. It's a charming looking café and you step down half-underground to go inside. Don't you feel the aura of a cool place? Actually, this is my second visit to this café since my friend brought me here for the first time. Oh, now I remember to tell you that I've been walking for coffee today!
大きな地図で見る
They have mildly sour "trois blend" and rich bitter "hi brand." Of course, you can also get single flavors such as Blue mountain, Mocha, or Mandheling, but it's best to try their blend if you want to know "their taste." I like bitter taste, so I ordered the "hi blend" with their seasonal special lemon cake. Of course, the drip coffee was so great!
People come here to chat, to read, and to smoke. In a good café, people spend their time as they wish. They can do so because the café offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious coffee. If you spend some time in the local café, you can breath their local air, too. If you go for a photo walk next time, try to find your favorite café.
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I got too relaxed thanks to the good coffee and the atmosphere. Now, I feel I should end my walk today. I shot two rolls of 36EX films in about 6 hours. But, maybe I may have had a break for a total of 3 hours...
Photo walk becomes fun if you set no rules. Start from anywhere. Just walk around and take a break when you're tired. Did you find end up taking only a few shots? What's wrong with it?
