Photo Explorations

Mingling with the Masses

Surround yourself with the human mass of Tokyo in the main urban hubs such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza. More examples of Mingling with the Masses.

Old-School Tokyo

Go back in time to how people lived during the Shogun era of centuries past or to the early and mid 20th century in places like Sugamo, Yanaka, and Asakusa (best for daytime explorations). More examples of Old-School Tokyo

Personalized 4-hour guided photo walks in Central Tokyo. UrbanWeird Photo Explorations are bespoke/custom photo walks around central Tokyo to fit what you want to get out of your stay in the über-urban world of Tokyo; no matter if you are a professional/avid amateur photographer or a beginner.

To get a good idea of what I can offer, listen to photographer and friend Martin Bailey interview me on his podcast Martin Bailey Podcast during which I talk about street photography, my UrbanWeird Photography, film photography, and more in Tokyo.

All Explorations are created from collaboration between you and myself (Brian Wood-Koiwa) and are geared toward individuals and small groups of friends or family (max. 5 individuals). The fees are based on the number of people attending. For example, if you are the one interested in photographing but your friend/partner/spouse is not so much interested but will come along anyway, the fee will still be for 2 people. The fees below are Exploration inclusive (i.e., not per person, except the private option of course). The fees do not include the 10% Japan consumption tax, which will be added on at final payment after finishing your Exploration. Explorations are currently only occur on weekends and Japanese national holidays.

  • 1 person for 4 hrs: ¥22,500

  • 2 people for 4 hrs: ¥35,000

  • 3-5 people for 4 hrs: ¥43,000

I have rates for shorter 3-hour Explorations as well. Just let me know and I can give you those fees. If you would like longer than 4 hours, there is an additional ¥5,000 per hour. However, I would not recommend going over 4 hours. I have found 5 hours or more is too long and people start to get tired. The enjoyment of the exploration diminishes considerably.

Some of the categories we can use to build your Exploration include but not limited to:

Urban Grunge

Pretty much anywhere in Tokyo has nooks, crannies, and alleyways of beautiful grunge. You're bound to get the opportunity to capture a bit of grunge on pretty much any Exploration. More examples of Urban Grunge

Tranquil Tokyo

Enjoy a stroll in immaculate Japanese gardens, such as Rikugien (for nature/bird photographers, be sure to bring along your long lenses since many of the gardens attract birds such as herons, cormorants, and maybe even a proud little kingfisher), and take in the serenity of small neighborhood temples dotting atmospheric neighborhoods such as Yanaka (best for daytime explorations). More examples of Tokyo Tranquil.

Trendy & Hip Tokyo

Shop the quirky hip streets of some of the cool shopping areas in the city form the “Brooklyn of Tokyo” Shimo-Kitazawa to second-hand-clothing paradise of Koenji. This is for those who would also like to do a bit of shopping along with their photography if they would like. More examples of Trendy & Hip Tokyo

The Über Urban

Point you cameras up to the heavens and the towering glass and steel scrapers, get up high above them and point your camera down, or zoom in for more intimate abstracts in places like Nishi-Shinjuku, Shiodome, and Marunouchi. More examples of The Über Urban

Once we agree on dates, times, and itinerary together, please book the Exploration using the form on the left and pay a deposit of $50.00 USD for each Exploration you book (an equivalent of 5,000 JPY will be taken off the full fee for this deposit). If you booked more than a week in advance and you need to cancel 7 days or more before the Exploration date, the deposit is 100% refundable. If you need to cancel less than 7 days, the deposit is non-refundable. Once we finish the Exploration, the remaining fee can be paid in Yen cash or via credit card immediately after the Exploration on the spot. 

Since this is a one-person operation, there may be situations in which I will not be able to do the Exploration (e.g., bedridden with the flu), then of course your deposit is 100% refundable, or we can reschedule for a later date if that is a possibility with a 30% discount of the fee.

**The fees do not include your transportation costs. I can give each member an IC card to use during the Exploration(s) that will have some money on it so you do not have to worry about buying individual tickets. You can take care of your own transportation as well by getting your own IC card, which are easy to purchase at pretty much any ticket machine and any station. Many people if they are staying longer after the Exploration or will be in the city several days before usually get an IC card for their entire stay and just keep adding money to the card when needed. The IC cards are called either SUICA or PASMO. They work interchangeably, just that SUICA is put out by Japan Rail (can be purchased at JR stations) and PASMO is put out by private rail/subway companies (can be purchased at all other stations). I can add the total train fare per person to the final bill at the end if you use one of my IC cards.

**The fees do not include Japan 10% consumption tax. This will be added during payment at the end of your Exploration.

If you are interested in designing a possible Exploration with me, just check out availability through the calendar below then fill our the form to the right with the required information, and I will get back to you with a possible itinerary based on you interests. It may involves a few email correspondences for us to come up with something that fits your needs/wants. There is no obligation to book at the point.

“I had the pleasure of taking a Tokyo street photography tour with Brian in October. He is very knowledgeable about the city and the best day/night places to take photos. Before I arrived in Tokyo we discussed over email various options and Brian was very responsive and flexible on itinerary options. He has a real passion for the quiet areas of Tokyo (temples, graveyards, small neighborhoods) that most of us don’t associate with the popular perception of a crazy, neon lit, busy metropolis. I recommend this tour for anyone who has an interest in Tokyo street photography.”

Bruce DeBolt, Houston TX

“Brian was an excellent guide. He was focused on what I wanted to see and made some great suggestions. I spent a very enjoyable morning with Brian seeing places in Tokyo I would not otherwise have known about.”

Phillipa Alexander, Tasmania AUS