Hey Simon, great video. My thoughts in-regards to etiquette is that when you are in particular parts of the world that are over populated or saturated with tourism, all rules and etiquette that often requires collaboration go out the window. The price they pay is the sneer, jeer and side-eye from other onlookers if they have any self-awareness. In all honesty, as a photographer none of these sites particularly interest me because I have seen them a million times before. I have been to Kyoto twice before, and will go again in February, but have never been to these sites purely because I have seen it so many times and have seen how unpleasant Kyoto is with the crowds. For me, I will book unique accomodation somewhere, and make that space my scene for photos. Enjoyed the video, thanks!
This was my first trip to Kyoto so we did end up going to more common spots. Next time I'll try and search out the more unusual places! Thanks for your comment!
@ hope my comment was not inferred as an insult to your decision making or anything haha. Totally get it! Have to do it! I wonder if you made the trip to Nara at all to see the deer? Kyoto is always a bit busy for me but do enjoy going to see the deer nearby!
Didn't take it that way at all. The more time you spend anywhere the more you find. We briefly went to Nara and also lots of other places in Japan! Was a great trip.
Great video! I live relatively close by Kyoto and since the crowds are back I tend to avoid the busy areas... but most of the times, just taking one street down the road from the busy parts is enough to be almost all alone again, it's so bizzar how everyone seems to be flocking to the same photo spots and then just... leaves, I guess? But super interesting to hear your experience!
Would be amazing to spend some time there and properly explore. I live in the Canadian Rockies and there was a stat along the lines of '95% of tourists don't stray further than 1km from their car'. So you don't have to go far to avoid the crowds!
Awesome vid Simon! man those crowds are giving me anxiety! I'll be going to Japan in April, what lenses do you recommend? I didnt think bringing a telephoto lens would be useful but with those crowds i think i might have to.
Hey dude, I actually shot a lot with a 50mm lens. A lot more than I thought I would. But the amount of times I said 'I wish I had a 24 - 70' was a lot! If you have that range you'd be good for 90% I'd say. But something around 50-100 was super useful.
SO many tourists in Kyoto right now. If anyone plans to go, listen when people say avoid the weekends... Luckily when I went, Kinkaku-ji was actually relatively empty and I was free to get almost any spot along the railing I wanted. Although I could see it start to fill up by the time I was leaving.
Great advice, we didn't even pay much attention to the days of the week was just when we ended up getting there! Definitely got quiter outside of the weekend.
Nice video Simon ! Question for you, I’ll be going to Japan in April and after seeing your video I’m seriously questioning what lenses to bring due to the crazy crowds. Does a 70-200 will be helpful or not? I own a 14 1.8, 20-70 f4, 24 1.4, 50 1.2. Planning to get or rent a 70-200 and maybe a 35 1.4. Hopefully you can help me out. I obviously not gonna bring all of them just a few. What did you bring ? Keep up the good work your videos are awesome!
With me I had a 16 - 34 F4, 24mm F1.4, 50mm 1.8 and 70-200. I used all of them at some point. If I had a 24-70 I probably wouldn't have needed anything else apart from that and maybe the 70 - 200 but it entirely depends what you plan to shoot.
I was in Japan last month, every famous spot was full of (mostly)Chinese tourists dressed in Kimonos doing full on photoshoots. At first I tried to give them space but after a while I lose patience and just stand in their shot to get mine :S I don't feel great about it but they don't seem to care about taking up that much space either.
Hey Simon, great video. My thoughts in-regards to etiquette is that when you are in particular parts of the world that are over populated or saturated with tourism, all rules and etiquette that often requires collaboration go out the window. The price they pay is the sneer, jeer and side-eye from other onlookers if they have any self-awareness.
In all honesty, as a photographer none of these sites particularly interest me because I have seen them a million times before. I have been to Kyoto twice before, and will go again in February, but have never been to these sites purely because I have seen it so many times and have seen how unpleasant Kyoto is with the crowds. For me, I will book unique accomodation somewhere, and make that space my scene for photos.
Enjoyed the video, thanks!
This was my first trip to Kyoto so we did end up going to more common spots. Next time I'll try and search out the more unusual places! Thanks for your comment!
@ hope my comment was not inferred as an insult to your decision making or anything haha. Totally get it! Have to do it! I wonder if you made the trip to Nara at all to see the deer? Kyoto is always a bit busy for me but do enjoy going to see the deer nearby!
Didn't take it that way at all. The more time you spend anywhere the more you find. We briefly went to Nara and also lots of other places in Japan! Was a great trip.
@ glad you had a good time!
Great video! I live relatively close by Kyoto and since the crowds are back I tend to avoid the busy areas... but most of the times, just taking one street down the road from the busy parts is enough to be almost all alone again, it's so bizzar how everyone seems to be flocking to the same photo spots and then just... leaves, I guess? But super interesting to hear your experience!
Would be amazing to spend some time there and properly explore. I live in the Canadian Rockies and there was a stat along the lines of '95% of tourists don't stray further than 1km from their car'. So you don't have to go far to avoid the crowds!
Awesome vid Simon! man those crowds are giving me anxiety! I'll be going to Japan in April, what lenses do you recommend? I didnt think bringing a telephoto lens would be useful but with those crowds i think i might have to.
Hey dude, I actually shot a lot with a 50mm lens. A lot more than I thought I would. But the amount of times I said 'I wish I had a 24 - 70' was a lot! If you have that range you'd be good for 90% I'd say. But something around 50-100 was super useful.
SO many tourists in Kyoto right now. If anyone plans to go, listen when people say avoid the weekends... Luckily when I went, Kinkaku-ji was actually relatively empty and I was free to get almost any spot along the railing I wanted. Although I could see it start to fill up by the time I was leaving.
Great advice, we didn't even pay much attention to the days of the week was just when we ended up getting there! Definitely got quiter outside of the weekend.
Thank you for these informations.
Nice video Simon ! Question for you, I’ll be going to Japan in April and after seeing your video I’m seriously questioning what lenses to bring due to the crazy crowds.
Does a 70-200 will be helpful or not?
I own a 14 1.8, 20-70 f4, 24 1.4, 50 1.2.
Planning to get or rent a 70-200 and maybe a 35 1.4. Hopefully you can help me out. I obviously not gonna bring all of them just a few. What did you bring ?
Keep up the good work your videos are awesome!
With me I had a 16 - 34 F4, 24mm F1.4, 50mm 1.8 and 70-200. I used all of them at some point. If I had a 24-70 I probably wouldn't have needed anything else apart from that and maybe the 70 - 200 but it entirely depends what you plan to shoot.
I shot all of the first images in Kyoto of the Pagoda and first temple at 200mm if that helps!
I was in Japan last month, every famous spot was full of (mostly)Chinese tourists dressed in Kimonos doing full on photoshoots. At first I tried to give them space but after a while I lose patience and just stand in their shot to get mine :S I don't feel great about it but they don't seem to care about taking up that much space either.
Yeah it's a tough one! Hard to get a shot in some times if you aren't a little pushy almost!
Overtourism. It's unpleasant
Can be hard to avoid!