Japan - Part 3

It's been a while since I put up any photos of our trip to Japan. And so long since the actual trip that I can't think of much to write with the actual photos. All shot with the canon 50mm f1.8 in available light.

We went to a fair few guitar stores, they tended to be a lot bigger than all the ones I've seen in Australia.

Rival Schools in Tokyo

Tuesday the 13th of April  we went and saw Rival Schools at Shibuya O-West in Tokyo, two Japanese supports also played; Killie and As Meias. I Didn't intend on taking photos but I'd been carrying my camera around during the day and we didn't have time to go back to the hotel before the show. I really enjoyed Killie, they sound a bit like Thursday and Poison the Well. There was no security at the show so when Rival Schools came on I just walked in front of the barrier and started shooting, then after a while I walked back stage and watched the rest of the set from there. I took some video, it'll turn up one day. Everything shot with the 50mm f/1.8

The stage lighting here was great, huge amount of lights and more than enough light to shoot without flashes. The stage was comparable to the size of the Manning bar, but the standing space was probably about half that at Manning. Despite being described as a hardcore supergroup Rival Schools sounded more like Weezer than anything else.

We saw two other shows while in Japan, Gauze and 50 Lions, both in Tokyo at a venue called Antiknock, I didn't shoot either of them.

Japan - Part 2

More photos from Japan, all 50mm.

It's illegal to smoke on the streets of Japan, yet there are still smoking sections in all restaurants.

They have smoking areas, where smokers are allowed to congregate.

We went to Yoyogi Park in Harajuka, it was Sunday and the place was filled with large groups of people having picnics. There were many more cherry blossoms in bloom at this park than the last one.

On Sundays at the entrance to the park, 50's style greaser dancers gather, it looked like there were various groups of competing dancers, but we only hung around long enough to watch one group.

Next to Yoyogi park is Meiji Shrine.

 These are wooden blocks you buy at the temple and write prayers on, most were in Japanese.

Some weren't.

Between the entrances to Meji Shrine and Yoyogi park is where many young Japanese people dress up in pseudo goth costumes. When we were there there was only one group of 4 girls dressed up and posing for photos, but Rob went back later in the day and said many more had turned up.

This is the main market street in Harajuku, made up mostly of stores selling futuristic fashion, which I'm sure will seem normal in years to come.