Japan Images: Ueno By Night

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

These images were taken in and around JR Ueno train station and along Ameyako in Ueno, Tokyo. It was my first night shoot with the Canon 5D Mark II, which I had picked up a few days earlier at Yodobashi in Akihabara.

I used a Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS USM lens for all shots and the images were processed in Lightroom 2 on OSX.

Bikes parked on the sidewalk in Ueno, Tokyo

Looking through the window of a liquor store in Ueno, Tokyo

The never ending line of taxis waiting outside JR Ueno train station

A taxi driver waits for a fare outside JR Ueno train station

Ameyoko (アメ横) is a famous street market in Ueno, Tokyo

Lanterns outside of an eatery in Ueno, Tokyo

As night falls, the crowded streets of the Ameyako are deserted

A discarded wooden crate in one of the Ameyako stalls

Coca Cola seating sits empty in the back streets on Ueno, Tokyo

Streets still buzzing at 9pm on a Monday in Ueno, Tokyo

I can’t get enough of all the different taxi lights

I was surprised by the number of homeless people around Ueno

Pedestrians lit by construction works below Ueno railway line

A vendor tending to another fresh batch of…well whatever they are

Vending machines can sooth the 24/7 shopper’s needs

Care Bears ponder another day of vending machine madness

Workers watch as bitumen is sliced open to access water pipes

Under construction in Ueno, Tokyo

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Bunsongpayat 5 pts

Stunning pictures from Japan!

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zonjineko 5 pts moderator

Bunsongpayat Thx - it's one of my favourite areas of Tokyo ^^

Japan Australia 5 pts

Some great pictures. I love Japan at night as it really comes alive :)

PinaYade 5 pts

Wow, you can make the most simple and boring items/ views/ things/ ppl so interesting! Fabulous pictures! Love them <3

zonjineko

Thx really appreciate it. The 5D MkII makes it easier to shoot at night with acceptable results up to ISO6400 - not that I had to go that high but you can these days ^_^

Thomas Sutton

These are fantastic photos. I especially like the bikes and the empty street.

I've always had enormous trouble trying to shoot at night so I'm doubly impressed.

kireishinya

wooooowww great picture !!!

^_^ Thx - much appreciated!

Not sure on the takoyaki though - they were very sweet smelling like caramel or some kind of sugar-based food.

Naru

I always enjoy looking at your photos. They're absolutely gorgeous and always seem to capture the spirit of the scene.

I believe the "fresh batch of…well whatever they are" consists of takoyaki. ^_^

Thx really appreciate that ^_^

Kyoko

Wow!! Great shots!

^_^ Thx!

Bugs

LOVE these photos, very vibrant and awesome colours...looks like I'm far from the only one who loves them too ^_^

You have very good taste, Bugs ^_^

kiyosuke

great shots. i miss this place. this was "my" neighbourhood the last time i was in Japan. :)

^_^ Me too - we used it as our base in Tokyo for about 2 weeks. I found it a great spot to get around Tokyo as so many trains go through Ueno station.

Heather Meadows

Beautiful photos. My husband and I stayed in Ueno on our honeymoon in 2003, but somehow we missed Ameyako. We'll have to go back and find it!

Thx Heather - definitely worth checking out and a good excuse to go back! BTW nice website you have too.

Jason Collin Photography

I am impressed with the sharpness and contrast for presumably shooting handheld at night with a 70-200mm lens, IS or not. Were you using a very high ISO?

There really is no place like Tokyo for night street photography. What other big city can you feel totally safe walking around with nearly $5,000 worth of camera kit on your neck? Not to mention the unique lighting and scenes on the streets in Tokyo at night.

A nice collection, although the inclusion of the homeless person caused me to pause. In the beginning when I lived in Tokyo I might have photographed a homeless person or two, but soon after that up until now I would not (but also do not live in Japan anymore anyway).

Thx Jason - yes agreed about the homeless guy. I felt a bit funny about taking that but it was one of those split second decisions as the background was clear and he was walking alone so I took it. Whether it's right or wrong - I'm still not sure.

The shots were taken at anything from 800 to 2000 ISO depending on what was needed. The 5D MKII handles noise much better than my previous camera and as I have learnt the hard way it is better to get a sharp, grainy shot than a blurred clean one ^_^

Vincent McArth

Wow, excellent images! What lens did you use?

Thx - 70-200mm 2.8 IS USM Canon ^_^

Murak

Is hard to believe that there are homeless people in Japan, this is something new for me.
Amazing photos, congratulations.

The wife has family down there so we go every so often but yes I would rather be in Japan ^_^

AdelaideBen

Ok... have family here in Adelaide, or just visiting? Yeah, Adelaide's not bad (depends on what you want out of a city tho). It's a good place to live and - as they say -bring up a family. However, it's a long way from Japan.

Brilliant photos. Love them... good composition, and the night shots really shine! Absolutely brilliant. Keep'em coming.

Thx I really enjoyed my night out in Ueno - was my first ever night shoot with the 5D MKII.

I was just down your way at Xmas - great city!

John

Subarashii!

Ashley

Thanks for the twitter add!

These are great photos by the way - nice work.

^_^ Thx very much

DShrike

I've only recently found your site, and I'm very glad I did. Its been almost 2 years since my wife and I went to Japan, and I miss it every day. Your site and posts like this one help me remember the atmosphere and culture that eludes me every day. Thank you and keep up the great work!