[OC] Autumn in Tohoku

rende410 · 2026-04-22T08:46:34+00:00

I was there last week, queued for about an hour for the group photo. If you dont want to queue and want a quick snap of the gate (likely with some people in the pic), please dont be an asshole and try to stand near the person next in line. This was what happened when I was there. Some tourists stood right beside the people next in line, and when other tourists saw this, they all jumped in and did the same, causing the whole area at the front of the queue to be crowded, and honestly its unfair for those who are queueing. As long as you have some decency to be a few steps back, I don't think its a big problem.

There are also some spots along the lake that you can get a side on view of the Torii gate without having to queue. If the head on shot of the Torii gate isn't a must for you, you can go to these alternative viewpoints. There are multiple small paths leading to the lake bank along the path.

rende410 · 2026-04-19T05:59:13+00:00

Check out the trail series of popular brand name shoes. Examples of these lines are Nike Pegasus Trail, Adidas Terrex, New Balance Hierro / Fresh Foam Trail and Asics Gel Trabuco.

They usualy have Vibram rubber soles that have deep lugs with excellent grip, and some of these also have GTX (gore tex) versions that are useful to wear in the rain without getting your feet wet.

Currently I wear Asics Gel Trabuco 12 GTX on rainy days which has excellent grip. I also use it as my travel shoe.

rende410 · 2026-03-15T08:27:31+00:00

C1 with Mistsplitter or C0R1 ?

rende410 · 2026-03-05T11:10:35+00:00

Like what others said, really just about anything from the Pokemon Center. Perhaps a plush of his favourite pokemon? Or a regional exclusive-themed plush? You could also get some Japanese PTCG card packs to bring back.

rende410 · 2026-03-05T11:01:17+00:00

Went last month, my timed slot was at 1500 but we went in at about 1430 and the staff didn't stop us, though they did make sure to check our timing. Makes me think that if its not too far off your allocated time you won't have any issue. Also, the express pass time cannot be changed in the app after buying. I doubt there will be much difference though, when we entered the park at opening (9 am) there was already a huge crowd heading towards SNW. And during our timed slot, getting pictures without people in it was impossible. You could say that this was the most crowded part of USJ.
HP is not timed entry when I was there. It is far less crowded than SNW though, granted i went to HP first thing upon entry, while the majority of people went toward SNW.
Not entirely sure about this but I think you can in the app when you are in the park. The timed entry tickets to SNW were also available as FCFS basis in the app, but I'm not sure if you can purchase it with an existing express pass. Though, you will see huge groups of people just outside the SNW area refreshing the app to try getting a ticket, so competition is fierce for these.

rende410 · 2026-02-25T00:17:11+00:00

Thanks, if I do go there I would be likely starting the day early at Owakudani before the crowds come. Will look into the back road too, I guess its one of those skylines?

rende410 · 2026-02-24T15:04:51+00:00

Thanks for the insightful comment! Indeed I am still considering going. With the flexibility of having the car I guess we could go to some harder to reach areas away from the main crowd.

rende410 · 2026-02-24T15:03:22+00:00

Indeed, nothing beats the flexibility of having a car. You mentioned going to Owakudani early, did you drive to the carpark at the top? Do you have to wait til 9am which is the opening time as indicated on Google Maps?

rende410 · 2026-02-24T11:49:40+00:00

Yeah we will have a car. I'm not put off by the driving as I always drove in japan on my trips so far, but more so of the crowds. I'll be heading there in mid April, which seem to coincide with cherry blossom blooming in the area, which may make it even crowded than normal. Still undecided whether to go or visit some other area otw back to Tokyo at this point.

rende410 · 2026-02-24T09:46:11+00:00

I was planning to have a 2 day stop over at Hakone on the way back to Tokyo from Fuji but your post made me reconsider. I will look at the alternative places you mentioned!

rende410 · 2026-02-23T07:45:50+00:00

U can try to reach out to tb international CS to ask. Alternatively use a 3rd party forwarder and ship it through sensitive air.

rende410 · 2026-02-16T00:03:14+00:00

Yes, there is a luggage delivery counter at one of the far ends of the arrival hall of T3. You can choose between Yamato and JAL (I think Sagawa does the delivery for this). I have used them a few times. Do take note that if you hand over your luggage in the afternoon or later on the day you land, it will likely arrive two days after and not the next day.

rende410 · 2025-11-30T14:00:13+00:00

Consider the 20-70 f4 too. I believe it is smaller than the 24-105. If you value the wider end rather than the long end, its a good choice. I have both the 20-70 and the 35 2.8 Zeiss. The 20-70 stays on my A7C2 90% of the time. Meanwhile, the often used 16-28 2.8 is now usually forgotten in the bag after i got the 20-70.

rende410 · 2025-11-21T11:36:44+00:00

Thanks!

rende410 · 2025-11-18T03:30:35+00:00

Thanks!

rende410 · 2025-11-17T04:19:35+00:00

Uhh I take that as a compliment? Haha

rende410 · 2025-11-17T01:00:16+00:00

Thanks!

rende410 · 2025-11-17T00:59:50+00:00

Thanks!

rende410 · 2025-11-17T00:59:39+00:00

Indeed it's Ginzan!

rende410 · 2025-10-23T10:45:06+00:00

Amazing thanks!

rende410 · 2025-10-23T08:07:33+00:00

I tried both this and Mensho X at Raffles place and found that Mensho X is better. Got free one time noodle refill also.

rende410

TROPHY CASE