I just loooove Yodobashi and Bic Camera. Being able to see, touch and compare so many products in the very same place is just something very special. And someting I haven't found anywhere else on earth. Incredible. Going to Japan again in 3 months. Can't wait.
Yodobashi is huge! You could easily spend an entire day there and apparently you can with the selection of beers they have. That filter, the Moment Cinebloom, gives it kind of a 'dreamy' look, it's cool.
Brings back loads of memories when I went 10 years ago with my then trusty Canon S90 - literally took thosands of photos of what would be silly things here in the UK (manhole covers for example). Would love to go back sometime to see how much as changed as well as take more photos with what I have learned since then! (of course seeing all the great tech and other shopping too!)
Ahhh, I remember that camera! Pretty sure my first vlog was filmed with one of those! One of my favourite things about travel is spotting the differences between “ordinary” things throughout the world. The manhole covers here are a work of art though, for sure!
@joeallam yes it was that camera and it's subsequent little S series brothers which started the low light compact phase that eventually the G7X and RX100 took over. This was before mirrorless and smartphone cameras became really good and popular!
2019 my wife and I went for a honeymoon in Asia, in Tokyo we also did visit Akihabara and there the BIC Camera mall. Did buy there a JDM Seiko watch, a turtle. It’s an automatic diver and does have a day date complication. Fun thing is that it shows the day in English and also Kanji. Wear this every year when we are on vacation. Maybe you consider one for yourself as well, they really are fun. Thanks a lot for this tour, as usual lots of fun to watch, and also great to see you being in the same area we have been. Cheers mate, have a great new week and greetings currently from Puebla, Mexico 🙏🏻
Always love a Yodobashi vlog! I bought a used X100F some time after seeing your purchase there back in 2017, and it's still my daily driver. I appreciated hearing how you also experience a learning curve with new hardware: It takes me a fair amount of time to find that photography "flow," but it's a great feeling when the process becomes more automatic.
Insert the “here I go again meme” here. I know these feel Joe 😂 me and a fellow photographer are planning to go back to Japan in 2024. So I am saving up.
The camera divider things are great. I put one into a cheap canvas shoulder bag. Whole setup cost me ~£30, and lasted just over 7 years of taking it literally everywhere every day - until my hip eventually wore a hole in the outer bag, which I recently replaced for £15. Fits my X-T3, 18-55, 70-300, and a prime. Plus of course, I can take it out and put it in a backpack instead. Yodobashi looks like an easy place to spend my life savings. I might have to stay away from there when I visit!
My first time visiting Japan I was overwhelmed. Learning the way around took time. I missed so many great stores. Next time wont be the same! i have a huge must see and do list! Great Video.
Going to Yodobashi is, I imagine, an experience kind of like my Sunday trips into Manhattan to B&H Photo, which has been kind of like camera heaven for me, for a long time. Congrats on your finds, safe travels.
I went to Yodabashi once but that "Pachinko" vibe with lights and noise, just overloads me. I prefer cozier and more quiet camera stores even if they have less stuff. These mega stores are also quite expensive with what you can find looking around in some small alleys,
Yeah I get ya! To be honest, I mostly use the mega stores for browsing and pondering options, then over the weeks I spend in Japan, I inevitably end up buying about half elsewhere or deciding against the purchase altogether once I decide it’s something I don’t really need.
Hoppy = Happy!! I have an old LowePro bag I use when I don't want my whole backpack. I usually put the camera on a shoulder strap then an extra lens or two in the back along with other little things.
Can’t believe the beer selection they have in Yodobashi! I didnt see that when I went what a shame ! 😂 Loving the casual vlogs like that thanks for sharing
The cinebloom has this video looking gorgeous. I first stepped foot in Japan in 2014 too and pretty much lived there until mid-2019. Of course I had planned to visit annually but the pandemic closed the country for over two years. Just moved back late last year. I know Tokyo is quite the dynamic city but it’s changed quite a bit. I was at the Akiba Yodobashi last month. Glad to see it’s still there along with the Indian restaurant on the upper floor. Also the carry-on rollers with laptop compartment from Level 8 is probably what you’re looking for.
I Love spendinga day or two in YODOBASHI just searching for tech, games, toys and some anime stuffs. The moment the music played in your video, I already knew it was the YODOBASHI theme.
I hear you on the camera bag. I've done a lot of shopping and, for me, I feel like I've found the perfect one. Have you looked at the Brevite Jumper large backpack? Love it. Fits my X-T4 with 18-120, plus my drone, filters, and 2 other lenses. Then has a whole separate compartment for other regular backpack things and doesn't look like a camera bag at all.
Ah thanks and welcome! I've been filming a huge amount whilst I've been back in Japan. Hoping to get a flurry of videos published once I can dedicate more time to editing and less time panicking about my lack of days left here haha
Interesting to go inside one of Tokyo's biggest tech/camera stores Joe. I like the idea of a compact bag as extra padding in the main camera bag. A few decent looking beers on the shelves in the store ;)
Going to Japan in May and this video helped out a ton!! Gonna visit this store on my second day 🔥 Also I recently got the Fuji X100V so I can’t wait to take it over there! Might bring an extra SD card or two just in case haha
Thanks Joe - I like the compact bag. It’s quite practical. QQ: As it seems you could be knowledgeable about the topic - for those of us not going to Japan any time soon do you know of a shipping service for products where the manufacturer doesn’t ship overseas? Indirectly camera related, but not a camera & it seems some companies don’t ship outside Japan . If not no worries and I look forward to the next video.
Loving to see a different kind of vlog. I just love Yodobashi, always a good start for a trip in Japan. Have to say that I did not like the filter. It looks kinda pixelated not a fan of that. I know it is in use exactly for that but nah not for me. But thanks for testing it etc. so I don’t have to. :D Hope you enjoy Tokyo and if you need a new carry-on try Horizn-studios. They have great ones with extra space for laptops etc and you can open it in the middle.
Trying to keep the jealousy back but it's so damn hard when I can feel like 20% of the real atmosphere through the lens. Question on your fully-Fujifilm kit: Do you find that it wastes less energy and attention to have the same sort of menu system, shortcut options etc across all of your cameras? Meaning you don't have to switch over mentally as well as physically when going from video to photography.
There are a couple of areas around Shinjuku with a number of stores with great second hand options. Look up Map camera, Lemon and also Kitamura to name a few. I bet you’re counting down the days until you go! Enjoy!
I've not been to the Akiba store since 2006 (when it was pretty much brand new). I'm wondering though, what's the camera section there like, when compared to your first early visits? I recently visited the head store for BicCamera in Yurakucho (been about 3,4 years since previous visit as not often on east side of Tokyo). The consumer section of camera area was kinda the same. The the other part which was dedicated to stuff like tripods, bags, flash attachments, photo frames, developer fluids etc ; all that has been severely downsized, and replaced by the enlarged bicycle section. 😔 Get the feeling that online shopping is eating into sales for specialist stuff.
What do you shoot now Joe? Of course the X100V. Also the HS2S? I ordered the H2S and shoot on GFX now. A few issues (usually firmware or odd settings) But generally loving it.
Hi Joe, nice video, will definitely go there in April. Please can you tell me if a) If they do Duty/ Tax Free b) Are all the electronic items in Japanese language only?
Yodobashi-Akiba has been some sort of a rabbit hole for me whenever I visit Tokyo. If my wife didn't drag me out of the place, I could literally spend an entire day browsing all the products and it would be bad for my wallet (^ ^')
Cheers for the full product name! I didn't even realise it was Hakuba - I actually had previous inserts/accessories from them from many years ago. I've updated my description with links now too
For me, the camera looked rather vulnerable in your new bag. Bag is a bit too narrow with camera in that position. You need your big wallet when you go in there. Too much temptation.
The insert is way more substantial than it looks on camera. Definitely snug, but still protected! I agree about the temptation though - but then the variety of options leave you so overwhelmed that you don’t make any decision and therefore save your money haha!
Design wanker. 😂 I feel so called out. What is it about Japan that gets you aesthetically? I feel like it's the neutrals in the architecture more than the colours. Something about the abundance of neutrals makes the colour feel more poignant to me. That and the shapes. It feels organically authoritarian almost, if that makes sense. Which reminds me of futurist utopia grammar. That, and everything is clean and safe. If they could sort out their Web UX for booking train tickets and buses, I'd have zero complaints.
Bit of a different vlog today, but thought it would be interesting to bring you along as I shop in one of Tokyo's biggest tech/camera stores!
Love that place in Tokyo! Even though it burns a hole in my wallet 😅 and the food is to die for 😋 love Japan 🇯🇵
I like Yodobashi Camera and I go there often!!
It’s great, isn’t it?!
I just loooove Yodobashi and Bic Camera. Being able to see, touch and compare so many products in the very same place is just something very special. And someting I haven't found anywhere else on earth. Incredible. Going to Japan again in 3 months. Can't wait.
@@missplainjane3905 😃
I think there's this place called Book-Off (CMIIW) it sells 2nd hand gears & gadgets at surprisingly good condition at shockingly good price.
Yodobashi is huge! You could easily spend an entire day there and apparently you can with the selection of beers they have.
That filter, the Moment Cinebloom, gives it kind of a 'dreamy' look, it's cool.
We accidentally _did_ spend a day here haha! Love browsing and seeing all the different options, whether I even buy anything or not.
Brings back loads of memories when I went 10 years ago with my then trusty Canon S90 - literally took thosands of photos of what would be silly things here in the UK (manhole covers for example). Would love to go back sometime to see how much as changed as well as take more photos with what I have learned since then! (of course seeing all the great tech and other shopping too!)
Ahhh, I remember that camera! Pretty sure my first vlog was filmed with one of those! One of my favourite things about travel is spotting the differences between “ordinary” things throughout the world. The manhole covers here are a work of art though, for sure!
@joeallam yes it was that camera and it's subsequent little S series brothers which started the low light compact phase that eventually the G7X and RX100 took over. This was before mirrorless and smartphone cameras became really good and popular!
The electronic stores in Japan are simply the best! I’ve been to plenty of BIC cameras stores while in Japan, compare these to our UK Curry’s 🤣🤣
2019 my wife and I went for a honeymoon in Asia, in Tokyo we also did visit Akihabara and there the BIC Camera mall. Did buy there a JDM Seiko watch, a turtle. It’s an automatic diver and does have a day date complication. Fun thing is that it shows the day in English and also Kanji. Wear this every year when we are on vacation. Maybe you consider one for yourself as well, they really are fun. Thanks a lot for this tour, as usual lots of fun to watch, and also great to see you being in the same area we have been. Cheers mate, have a great new week and greetings currently from Puebla, Mexico 🙏🏻
Always love a Yodobashi vlog! I bought a used X100F some time after seeing your purchase there back in 2017, and it's still my daily driver. I appreciated hearing how you also experience a learning curve with new hardware: It takes me a fair amount of time to find that photography "flow," but it's a great feeling when the process becomes more automatic.
Nomatic Carry-On Pro is the roller you want.
Went to that particular one before, I can spend hours here just looking at all their stuff.
Fun seeing what they've got in huge tech stores. I wasn't expecting the beer! haha
Threw me off the first time I saw it too! Now it’s my go-to destination given the frequency of stores and selections on offer
@@joeallam nice!
Insert the “here I go again meme” here. I know these feel Joe 😂 me and a fellow photographer are planning to go back to Japan in 2024. So I am saving up.
The camera divider things are great. I put one into a cheap canvas shoulder bag. Whole setup cost me ~£30, and lasted just over 7 years of taking it literally everywhere every day - until my hip eventually wore a hole in the outer bag, which I recently replaced for £15. Fits my X-T3, 18-55, 70-300, and a prime. Plus of course, I can take it out and put it in a backpack instead.
Yodobashi looks like an easy place to spend my life savings. I might have to stay away from there when I visit!
Lol true.
I used to live 20 minutes walk from Akihabara and used to go there every weekend. That Yodabashi Akiba jingle was so 懐かし!
My first time visiting Japan I was overwhelmed. Learning the way around took time. I missed so many great stores. Next time wont be the same! i have a huge must see and do list! Great Video.
One of the BEST things to do in Japan is hunting; whether it's figurines, tech, or games!
For sure! I swear Japan is the only place I fully enjoy shopping, no matter the day, my mood or any other factor!
Just dont hunt the ppl tho.
Going to Yodobashi is, I imagine, an experience kind of like my Sunday trips into Manhattan to B&H Photo, which has been kind of like camera heaven for me, for a long time. Congrats on your finds, safe travels.
I went to Yodabashi once but that "Pachinko" vibe with lights and noise, just overloads me. I prefer cozier and more quiet camera stores even if they have less stuff.
These mega stores are also quite expensive with what you can find looking around in some small alleys,
Yeah I get ya! To be honest, I mostly use the mega stores for browsing and pondering options, then over the weeks I spend in Japan, I inevitably end up buying about half elsewhere or deciding against the purchase altogether once I decide it’s something I don’t really need.
Hoppy = Happy!! I have an old LowePro bag I use when I don't want my whole backpack. I usually put the camera on a shoulder strap then an extra lens or two in the back along with other little things.
Fuji just makes me happy too. What a store, glad I’m not off to Japan soon, could prove expensive.
The store jingle at 5:00 always singing in my head after I visited the store back in 2016😅
You should look at july suitcases from australia
Can’t believe the beer selection they have in Yodobashi! I didnt see that when I went what a shame ! 😂
Loving the casual vlogs like that thanks for sharing
If I ever find myself in Japan (someday I hope!) I will definitely be heading to this shop! 😮
Kamakura Beer is a must have. There are three styles, my favourite being the dark beer.
plus, after dark, yodobashi akiba looks like someplace out of final fantasy VII
The cinebloom has this video looking gorgeous.
I first stepped foot in Japan in 2014 too and pretty much lived there until mid-2019. Of course I had planned to visit annually but the pandemic closed the country for over two years.
Just moved back late last year. I know Tokyo is quite the dynamic city but it’s changed quite a bit. I was at the Akiba Yodobashi last month. Glad to see it’s still there along with the Indian restaurant on the upper floor.
Also the carry-on rollers with laptop compartment from Level 8 is probably what you’re looking for.
I Love spendinga day or two in YODOBASHI just searching for tech, games, toys and some anime stuffs. The moment the music played in your video, I already knew it was the YODOBASHI theme.
I hear you on the camera bag. I've done a lot of shopping and, for me, I feel like I've found the perfect one. Have you looked at the Brevite Jumper large backpack? Love it. Fits my X-T4 with 18-120, plus my drone, filters, and 2 other lenses. Then has a whole separate compartment for other regular backpack things and doesn't look like a camera bag at all.
I miss Japan
Just like visiting B&H was a must when I went to NYC, if I get the chance to visit Tokyo I'll definitely will go to Yodobashi! Great video as always!
I didn’t know that bag insert existed 😮 life changed
Can relate so much on what you said! You just want to shoot everything.
Cool video man, and I dig this new color.
As a fellow design-wanker I too buy beer based on the label design 😆
The bloom filter in the daylight with the muted tones has a really nice effect.
Haha! For detail oriented people, we have simple minds haha
Recently discovered you (thanks to Abroad in Japan) and love the channel. Will be following! Taking a look at your Patreon as well ;)
Ah thanks and welcome! I've been filming a huge amount whilst I've been back in Japan. Hoping to get a flurry of videos published once I can dedicate more time to editing and less time panicking about my lack of days left here haha
Interesting to go inside one of Tokyo's biggest tech/camera stores Joe. I like the idea of a compact bag as extra padding in the main camera bag. A few decent looking beers on the shelves in the store ;)
Going to Japan in May and this video helped out a ton!! Gonna visit this store on my second day 🔥 Also I recently got the Fuji X100V so I can’t wait to take it over there! Might bring an extra SD card or two just in case haha
Great flow, beautiful footage
Thanks Joe - I like the compact bag. It’s quite practical. QQ: As it seems you could be knowledgeable about the topic - for those of us not going to Japan any time soon do you know of a shipping service for products where the manufacturer doesn’t ship overseas? Indirectly camera related, but not a camera & it seems some companies don’t ship outside Japan . If not no worries and I look forward to the next video.
Loving to see a different kind of vlog. I just love Yodobashi, always a good start for a trip in Japan.
Have to say that I did not like the filter. It looks kinda pixelated not a fan of that. I know it is in use exactly for that but nah not for me. But thanks for testing it etc. so I don’t have to. :D
Hope you enjoy Tokyo and if you need a new carry-on try Horizn-studios. They have great ones with extra space for laptops etc and you can open it in the middle.
Trying to keep the jealousy back but it's so damn hard when I can feel like 20% of the real atmosphere through the lens. Question on your fully-Fujifilm kit: Do you find that it wastes less energy and attention to have the same sort of menu system, shortcut options etc across all of your cameras? Meaning you don't have to switch over mentally as well as physically when going from video to photography.
About those beers... You know that beers and Belgium go hand in hand, right ?!? Always welcome ! Cheers and kampai !
Excellent video Joe...I'm going to Japan in November and can't wait to go to Yodobashi! Where are the best places to find used lenses in Tokyo?
There are a couple of areas around Shinjuku with a number of stores with great second hand options. Look up Map camera, Lemon and also Kitamura to name a few. I bet you’re counting down the days until you go! Enjoy!
@@joeallam much appreciated & yes I'm beyond excited!!! 😁
Nice bag. Nice beer ;)
can you puta sticker or talk about the price of each item you get next time so we can have a comparison with western prices ? thank you
I've not been to the Akiba store since 2006 (when it was pretty much brand new).
I'm wondering though, what's the camera section there like, when compared to your first early visits?
I recently visited the head store for BicCamera in Yurakucho (been about 3,4 years since previous visit as not often on east side of Tokyo). The consumer section of camera area was kinda the same. The the other part which was dedicated to stuff like tripods, bags, flash attachments, photo frames, developer fluids etc ; all that has been severely downsized, and replaced by the enlarged bicycle section. 😔 Get the feeling that online shopping is eating into sales for specialist stuff.
What do you shoot now Joe? Of course the X100V. Also the HS2S? I ordered the H2S and shoot on GFX now. A few issues (usually firmware or odd settings) But generally loving it.
Does Japan sell fujifilms instax film in stores?
Can you still purchase X100vs in Japan? In the US, they are rarer than Hen's teeth.
Always loved to explore Yodobashi, but I won’t buy any camera/lens from there due to the stupid point system.
Love it
Damn, I missed out on the beauty section because we were busy in the camera section.
Haha! So many departments to get lost in, you might completely forget to visit the one you initially intended to see
Hi Joe, nice video, will definitely go there in April. Please can you tell me if a) If they do Duty/ Tax Free b) Are all the electronic items in Japanese language only?
Yodobashi-Akiba has been some sort of a rabbit hole for me whenever I visit Tokyo. If my wife didn't drag me out of the place, I could literally spend an entire day browsing all the products and it would be bad for my wallet (^ ^')
I don't like amusement parks really - but to me this store would probably be the closest equivalent.
Hey Joe, are you going to be in Japan next month?
May cross paths whilst im there :D
What was the phone app which translated the Japanese text ?
Hey Joe, what's the backpack you're using?
I have no idea of the model name unfortunately, but I bought it in a Columbia store here in Tokyo.
What's the app that you are using to translate written japanese ?
I wonder if that bag brand is available in the US
Not in the US but you can buy it from Amazon Japan. It's the HAKUBA IND2 A250 Camera Case
Cheers for the full product name! I didn't even realise it was Hakuba - I actually had previous inserts/accessories from them from many years ago. I've updated my description with links now too
For me, the camera looked rather vulnerable in your new bag. Bag is a bit too narrow with camera in that position. You need your big wallet when you go in there. Too much temptation.
The insert is way more substantial than it looks on camera. Definitely snug, but still protected! I agree about the temptation though - but then the variety of options leave you so overwhelmed that you don’t make any decision and therefore save your money haha!
Hey Joe, what’s the situation with Masks in Japan at the moment? Seems ridiculous IMO
もうあなたは日本人よりもヨドバシに詳しくなってると思います。😁
I think you are more familiar with Yodobashi than the Japanese.
Design wanker. 😂
I feel so called out.
What is it about Japan that gets you aesthetically? I feel like it's the neutrals in the architecture more than the colours. Something about the abundance of neutrals makes the colour feel more poignant to me. That and the shapes. It feels organically authoritarian almost, if that makes sense. Which reminds me of futurist utopia grammar.
That, and everything is clean and safe.
If they could sort out their Web UX for booking train tickets and buses, I'd have zero complaints.
need money
More like shopping for 80s tech, jap is old news in tech industry.