Update from Tokyo on 22 August, 2020. Yes. The Japanese government has lifted coronavirus state of emergency in all over the country. Now public parks, museums, restaurants and cafes are open in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka as well as other cities in Japan. Local videographers, sound mixers and photographers are available in locations and studios. […]
Author archives: Jiro Kumakura
8K VR shot in Shibuya station
Yesterday, I filmed a VR footage at Shibuya station. It was a test shooting using an Insta360 Pro, which captures up to 8K VR footage. After the shoot, I stitched and uploaded to YouTube. The huge picture on the wall was painted by Taro Okamoto in 1968. You can rental Insta360 Pro, Instra360 Pro2 and […]
How much costs from Tokyo to Kyoto?
Recently I was asked how much it would cost if a crew moves from Tokyo to Kyoto using Shinkansen. So I checked. <Travel>One way ticket from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station costs 13,850 JPY (116 EUR). So, if you go to Kyoto and then return to Tokyo, tickets cost 27,700 JPY (232 EUR). If you […]
Live streaming technician in Tokyo
Yusuke Tanaka is a reliable engineer for live streaming events in Japan. This morning, thanks to him, we smoothly checked the internet connection at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Tokyo, where our client is going to hold a concert in March. We will film the concert and live stream the event via YouTube Live. I have been […]
Fixer in Kyoto
People often ask me if I know an excellent fixer in Kyoto. This morning I had a kind of the same question again. Yes, I know. Aaron Berman (People say that Kyoto is a difficult place to shoot due to their unique culture. However, if you are filming with Aaron, it would be much easier.)https://www.mandy.com/other-service-provider/profile/aaron-berman
If I am not available… ask them!
Since I am working by myself, sometimes I just can’t make. In those cases I highly recommend these professional videographers based in Tokyo: Adrià GINGERhttp://adriaginger.com/en/Although he looks a bit like a punk, he does great jobs and his attitude at work is quite sincere that I’m sure! Andrew JONEShttp://aj-productions.jp/ He’s been living in Japan many […]
How much does it cost if you hire C300mk2 or FS7m2 in Japan?
Sometimes people ask me to shoot with Canon C300mk2 or SONY FS7m2 for their interviews or documentary shootings. I have my own C300mk2 but often I need one more to film interviews with two cameras. Then I ask local agencies that rent those professional equipment. Generally, a Canon C300mk2 costs between 15,000 JPY to 23,000 […]
Sound mixers in Tokyo
If you are preparing filming in Japan and searching for a local sound mixer who speaks English, I recommend Mariel Lohninger and Jeff Ruiz. They are reliable, easy to communicate and super skillful. I have been working with Mariel Lohninger since 2015. He always does great jobs.Mariel’s website http://tokyo-crew.co.jp/ Jeff Ruiz of H Media Group […]
Shibuya’s new observatory
SHIBUYA SKY is an observation area rising 229 m above Shibuya, opened in November 2019. You can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Tokyo. Maryam Al-Homaid(@maryamhome), a talented graphic artist from Qatar, was producing her personal film in Tokyo. In the early morning of late December, we went to the top of the Shibuya Scramble […]
Mountain Monk Training in Yamagata
Randiah Camille Green is a writer living in Tokyo, and enthusiast for offbeat travel and spooky things. Thanks to The Hidden Japan, I had a chance to film Randiah trying Yamabushi mountain monk experience in Dewa Sanzan, the oldest site of mountain worship in Japan. Please read her article on GaijinPot Blog: Voyaging Towards Introspection with […]