Another intense day shuffling around a few of Tokyo’s many districts. This place is intense! There’s so much stuff that catches my eye, things I just feel compelled to film or shoot. I’ve been using all kinds of camera gear, from all kinds of vantage points. The 5D offers the best quality but is far too heavy to lug around all day. The iPhone with my new electronic gimbal/stabilizer is ideal. It’s not exactly inconspicuous, but looks unprofessional enough for people to ignore me when I point it at them.

The truck drivers and fish mongers at Tsukiji Fish Market – the world’s largest seafood market – seemed impatient with all us visiting photographers during my visit there yesterday. And I completely understand them. I don’t see why were allowed in there in the first place – as our presence is not at all to their advantage. On the contrary, we’re really just in their way or in the way of their customers.

In a year or so, the market will be moving from this location and I don’t know whether or not they will allow visitors at the new address somewhere in the Toyosu district. So, if you’re heading to Tokyo soon, be sure not to miss a morning visit to Tsukiji Fish Market – and the outer market area where they sell all kinds of cooking stuff and have several small izakayas/restaurants. Ate a delicious sushi lunch at one of those tiny eateries after the visit yesterday. Seafood doesn’t get much fresher than what they serve there.

Tokyo is definitely a lot hotter and more crowded on the streets and underground than I remember it. Still nowhere near Bangkok’s insane traffic, humidity or smog.

Almost had a panic attack during yesterday morning’s rush hour along the JR Line. As polite and unobtrusive as the Japanese are, they have no problem pushing, packing and squeezing you into an already densely populated subway car.

Kappabashi Street is still one of my absolut favorite places in Tokyo. Dozens of small shops that sell professional cooking and restaurant gear in a very low key, very local neighborhood.

Took the boat there via the Sumida River from the lush Hama-rikyu Gardens (just a stones throw from the fish market) and forty-five minutes later, I arrived near the historic Asakusa temple area which is just a few blocks from Kappabashi.

Shibuya seems to be the new Harajuku. Or, at least the place to be seen wearing your new kit. Ate dinner at a small shop in Shibuya where you had to play a game on a table side touch screen just be able to order your food – which then arrived on a tray via one of two rails next to the booth. Great food. Here’s a few pics of the place.

Taking the Shinkansen tomorrow morning to Kyoto.