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Asia One Challenge 2015


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As some of you may have remembered from the dinner in Wetzlar last October and the subsequent forum discussion, Tokyo was listed as one of the suggested options for the One Challenge in 2014. Naturally the suggestion wasn’t successful when it came to the voting, but myself and Dan Bachmann have been thinking about going ahead and organising a meet-up in Japan in the spring of 2015 (most probably during May, to be confirmed). I realise that for the majority of the members this requires a lot more planning, both logistically and financially, than a similar meet-up somewhere in Europe, so with this post we are just really gauging if there would be any interest from anyone besides Dan and myself for such a meet-up.

 

Japan is a location with a lot of photographic history (albeit not Leica), and a huge Leica/film following. A couple of reasons why Tokyo is an excellent place for a photographer (borrowed from the previous thread):

 

- People - Tokyo is a street photographer’s paradise. The Japanese love to have their photos taken, and especially at weekends the streets are very busy. Day to day bustle of business, geisha, temple goers, train stations... Tokyo has it all.

 

- Architecture - Tokyo is a mixture of modern and contemporary architecture, mixed with traditional temples and parks

 

- Food - OK, not a photographer specific thing, but we all have to eat and Japan is the best place to try sushi, noodles, etc

 

- Shopping - Camera shops in Tokyo are amazing. Especially the second hand market is overflowing with every brand you can imagine, and a more than ample selection of Leica goodies. Take one example - Lemon Camera in Ginza, maybe a store of around 200m2, last time I was there had a cabinet full of Leica lenses, including many harder to get items. From what the store owners told me, many elderly Japanese photographers/business men invested in Leica years ago, and now they are retiring they want to release some capital. So the shops are taking in more and more barely used Leica gear to sell on commission. And there are many more stores, all with good stock levels. With today’s exchange rates, prices are comparable to what one would pay in Europe, but selection is greater.

 

- Exhibitions - Tokyo museum of photography, Leica boutique, JCII museum

 

Regards the organisation of the trip, both Dan and myself have Japanese wives, and we both know a number of people on the ground over there, photographically and non photographically.

 

We’re in an early planning stage at the moment, and this post is just to try and gauge interest. A more complete agenda would follow later, but typically such a trip could involve flying into Tokyo, spending a number of days there enjoying the business of a large metropilan, and visiting the ‘normal’ sites that Tokyo has to offer, for example Tsujuki fish market, Asakusa shrine, Ginza, Shinjuku etc. After that we could plan to take the "bullet train" to Kyoto and spend some time there temple hopping and experiencing a different side of Japanese life. Of course we would also try and fit in a challenge in the form of 'one lens, one film, one body' as has been traditional at the European meets in the past.

 

Cost wise obviously the flight will be a major expense (or a lot of air miles) for a lot of members. Hotels tend to be variable in price, but depending on the level of comfort desired/location, you could expect to pay between 100 and 250 Euros per night.

 

Here are a couple of photos to whet the appetite…. would anyone be potentially interested in joining us?!

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I would definitely be interested, Simon (and Dan). I've intended to visit Japan for some time but other things have managed to get in the way so this would present an excellent reason to go and act as a helpful introduction to a culture that I'm not familiar with.

 

Pete.

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We're intending to be in Japan for the first time in May 2015 anyway. But whether or not our intended tour would coincide even in part with the dates of this photo trip is another matter. If it does then perhaps we can meet up! If not, oh well, maybe another time!

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Indeed, interesting idea.

I will start saving some Euro's from now on :-)

 

If we will have some guidance over there it would be interesting, but without, mmmmmh difficult to read all these strange letters.

Simon, you will come back on this in Istanbul I assume?

 

John

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Indeed, interesting idea.

...difficult to read all these strange letters....

...you will come back on this in Istanbul I assume?

 

Ritsuko, a native Japanese speaker, will be with us to help with those strange letters; however, you'll find quite a bit Engrish on the basic signage.

 

Simon, Ritsuko and myself will all be at the Bath (in England) day in April if you want to talk more about this and it is highly likely that we will all be in Istanbul as well. We'd love to talk to you about it,

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In my experience, it is almost impossible to get really lost in Japan, despite the language barrier - the country is too well organized.

 

I did quite a lot of business trips to Japan a few years ago and private holidays in 2005. Everything sorted always out, in the end and a bit of adventure separates the traveller from the holiday-maker. :)

 

Stefan

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I'm certainly very interested (and in California, which makes it a bit easier!) -- I've been on several business trips to Tokyo, but never to Kyoto, so would definitely be up for that.

 

Thanks for initiating this,

John.

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  • 2 weeks later...

This is an excellent idea, I think. Ever since I went the first time in 2008 - absolutely loved the place - I've spoken with my wife about going there and she's definitely interested. It would be wonderful if it could work out.

 

Cheers

philip

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  • 3 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...
Actually closer to home than Europe, so why not!

 

Of course now that I am a pensioner, gotta watch the dollars, but not planning to 'take them with me'. ;)

 

John,

Likewise I'll be past my 'sell by date" very soon, but I've never been to Japan albeit having lived in HK and Taiwan in another life; my daughter's godfather is an Aussie who did a photographic book on Japan and shoudn't be let started on the subject. So... It's a great idea and I will give it some thought and check the finances behind it.

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