Photography Questions
 

Hello, everyone!

I am making my first trip to Japan (Tokyo) next month. I've read a lot of conflicting information about where photos are, and are not, allowed. I am a big fan of Japanese graphics and packaging design; I would love to take pictures of the products I see in various markets. Some people have said that they were told not to take photos, while others have posted large photo and video blogs of every imaginable thing.

What has your experience been with regards to photography? I respect a ban on photos in sacred spaces such as the inside of shrines and temples, but what about other places?

Thanks in advance for your input!

In my experience, if they don't want photos to be taken, big signs will be displayed saying so.

At the same time, if you ask if you can take photos, the answer will generally be "no".

So I don't ask. I took a ton of photos in manga shops and drug stores. Always turned the flash off (didn't need it anyway). I took pics in front of staff, and never was told to stop. Again, though if I had asked directly, I would have probably been told to stop.

Thanks for the advice
 

I'm bringing two cameras; one with a 20x zoom lens and one subcompact that will fit in my pocket. I call the small one my "spy camera." I'll use that to take flashless pics in the shops.

I've had the same experiences. I don't think I was actually told not to take pictures but did get some disapproving looks though. Most places that don't want pictures taken will have signage saying so.

Photography is generally prohibited in museums, but I've had no trouble taking pictures anywhere else. Every cell phone in Japan has a built in camera, and people take pictures of everything, everywhere, all the time. Don't worry about whether or not its okay unless someone tells you it isn't. If they do, act sorry, say "sumimasen", and don't pay it another thought.

The signs are quite noticeable, it will definitely give you a good idea where Picture is not allowed or if flash is not allowed. My experieince is that Shrines, temples and castles does not allow flash photography (ok without flash), Museum does not allow photography unless specificed

There are several places I've been to with lower ambient light, they also don't allow flash photography to avoid other people in the area being disturbed

Ok, in Museums you can take photographs but **NEVER EVER USE A FLASH**
If every person takes a picture of a monet using a flash it will fade the painting. NEVER USE FLASH IN A MUSEUM. Best option is to use a point and shoot on ASR setting (ASR is Auto Shake Reduction) and on this setting the camera take mutiple shots (samples) and overlays them to create a final image.

In Anime shops and other neat places you will see the NO CAMERA sign. This is for idiots and should be disobeyed at all times. Again, use a point and shoot on ASR or whatever setting you use that does not involve FLASH. Only stop if you are approached by staff telling you "no pictures", then relocate and take more pictures. You are stupid gaijin and do not know any better.

Top Tip.
Most newer point and shoot cameras can shoot video at quite good quality. You can walk around while recording video and make it look like the camera is not operating and that you are looking for a shot. You can even show people the camera while recording video and they will assume it is a still shot cam and be quite happy to be natural for it.

Marc.

It's certainly a lot easier getting away with snaps in a no-photo zone if you have a compact camera.

If you're on a DSLR with heavy glass on the front (particularly, say, L-series lenses, which are often cream-coloured rather than black), you're doomed :crykitty:

Inside Stores and Arcades are usually a no no but you can get away with it.

Shrines are fine but no pictures of the inner shrine

Everything I shot in Tokyo during my trip is here

I have to rofl, as I shot much good video in arcades and was smoking at the time, I had a staff member approach me (I thought to tell me to stop filming) and offer me an ashtray to stub out my smoke.
YouTube - Japanese Arcade games megamix

Japanese clothing stores generally don't allow you to take pictures and I know that quite a few smaller boutiques (or places like the 109 building, I've heard) will approach you and tell you to stop or leave.

I'm going to agree with the take photos first, apologise later approach. I took photos everywhere I went (aside from the inner parts of temples, where I thought it would be best to be respectful) with my chunky DSLR, and the only place I was told to stop was in a pachinko parlour. Even then, I was told off in an extremely apologetic way with much bowing - you're not going to get arrested or thrown out or anything.

Japanese packaging is fantastic, if kind of over-the-top and non evironmentally friendly XD I bought some packets of lollies and things just for the packaging sometimes.

Thanks for all the tips, everyone!
 

Hearing about your experiences makes me that much more excited for my trip next month. I've been practicing taking sneaky photos at my local Mitsuwa Market here in L.A. and the pictures are coming out great without flash! God bless Sony's little compact cameras.

Well, pachinko parlors are definitely on my "hit list" as well, so hopefully I will have mastered spy photography by the time I visit one. I mean, how can I NOT take a pic of a pachinko machine in Tokyo? Here in Southern California in the 1970s (dating myself here), every suburban family room had an old, refurbished pachinko machine in it. You know, the really old-school kind where you had to flip the lever for each shot.

Thanks again for all your helpful info!

I've never had any issues in Japan and people seem overly happy to receive and have photos taken. I think Japan is the land of the camera!

I guess what you may need is da Japanese translation of "Excuse me, would you mind if I take a photo" "Are photos allowed", etc.

I'm sure some will post the wording in English characters for you:vsign:

I did manage to sneak a couple in the pachinko parlour before they got me, so I'm sure you'll be fine with a compact camera ^_~ Good luck!

Oh, someone with better Japanese might want to check this, but "Is it okay for me to take a photo?" is:

Shasshin o tottemo ii desuka
(or more phonetically: shya shin o tot temoe ee dess kah)

And get ready to hear "sumimasen ga..." (I'm sorry, but...)