On this afternoon, I took my Fujifilm X100V to Motomachi, Chinatown, and Yamashita Park in Yokohama to try my hand at some street photography.
Canine & Feline Standoff
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 160 for 1/220 sec.
Classic Negative film simulation
A stray cat chilling at a parking garage entrance remaining unfazed by my border collie who was itching to start barking and chasing after the cat. Such a totally chill, no-drama feline surely disappointed Dale-chan.
String Puppet Witch
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 320 for 1/160 sec.
Classic Negative film simulation
“Green Thumb,” a local shop on the famous Motomachi shopping street in Yokohama, Japan, which was established in 1985 with the tagline “Witches and Herbs.”
According to the store’s website, witches were not scary things in ancient Europe, but were more like pharmacists who held a wealth of knowledge of the natural world and especially the health benefits of herbs.
I initially thought the carvings were dried-apple head dolls!
Green Thumb: http://www.green-thumb.co.jp/
Temple in Chinatown
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 160 for 1/200 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation
Tianhou Temple, or “Palace of the Heavenly Empress,” is dedicated to Mazu (or Matsu), the Goddess of the Sea. The temple is a popular tourist destination as well as a holy site where the local Chinese can have their spiritual, social, and cultural needs met in Yokohama’s Chinatown—the largest one in Japan.
The first temple in Yokohama’s Chinatown, Kuan Ti Miao was established in 1886, where Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) was also enshrined. The current temple structure was dedicated specifically to Mazu and was inaugurated on March 17, 2006.
Tianhou Temple: https://www.yokohama-masobyo.jp/en/mazu-miao/
Zenrinmon Gate
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 500 for 1/160 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation
Zenrimon (善隣門) is one of 6 gates Yokohama’s Chinatown. This gate is known as the Goodwill Gate as it was gifted to Chinatown from the city of Yokohama in February 1955 as a part of postwar reconstruction efforts.
The characters on the gate are written right to left (隣善仁親) and read as Shin-Jin-Zen-Rin in Japanese.
The four characters that were chosen can be translated as follows:
親 (shin): Closeness (like between a parent and child)
仁 (jin): Benevolence or compassion (among humanity)
善 (zen): Goodness
隣 (rin): Neighbors (local or global scale)
In the context of postwar reconstruction, the gate symbolizes a hope for peace and love among not only local citizenry, but also among the international community.
Nippon Travel Magazine:
Yokohama Chinatown Development Association:
Hachokubai:
Boy and Girl
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 160 for 1/160 sec.
Astia/Soft v2 film simulation
A young couple leaving Chinatown together in Yokohama, Japan. Their loose shirt and blouse reflect how hot and humid this afternoon was. I was drawn to how the girl had her arm on the boy while the boy was carrying her rucksack while eating something on their way out of Chinatown. I hope they had a nice date on this day!
Kimono Shop
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 320 for 1/160 sec.
Astia/Soft v2 film simulation
Founded in 1896, the Obebe-Hohoho kimono shop is currently located on a small street off the main drag of the Motomachi Shopping Avenue in Yokohama, Japan.
Motomachi is the high-end name-brand retailing center of Yokohama, which used to primarily cater to wealthy expats who lived in nearby settlements prior to the war.
Some of the shops survived the war by catering to the thousands of American GIs and their families during the post-war occupation. Over time, overseas name brands set up stores on the main avenue to cater to the tastes and wallets of upper-middle class Japanese and fans of pricey name-brand handbags, jewelry, fashion, etc.
Obebe-Hohoho: https://www.rakuten.co.jp/obebe/
Clothing Store Mascot
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 320 for 1/160 sec.
Velvia/Vivid v2 film simulation
Familiar, a Japanese clothing brand of clothes for babies and children, was founded in the 1950s by four housewives in Kobe, Japan. This shot was taken at their Motomachi, Yokohama store—a district of stores selling high-end, name-brand products marketed to the expat community and upper-middle class Japanese shoppers.
As for me, I just like the colors and patterns on the mascot bear in the store window!
Border Collie at Cafe
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 3200 for 1/60 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation
Border Collie at Cafe
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 640 for 1/160 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation
After hours of wandering around Chinatown and Motomachi in Yokohama, we took a short break at a cafe and chatted with strangers sitting nearby.
Park & City Skyline
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 800 for 1/160 sec.
Film simulation: Astia/Soft V2
View of the Minatomirai waterfront district as seen from the southern end of Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan. Although the 58-story tower apartment (left) can still be seen in its entirety, the upper floors of the 71-story Landmark Tower (right) have been swallowed by the clouds.
Border Collie at City Park
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 3200 for 1/60 sec.
Astia/Soft V2 film simulation
Shot of Dale-chan the border collie posing with the floating museum, NYK Hikawa Maru, which is permanently moored at Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan.
Port City Waterfront
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 2500 for 1/160 sec.
Classic Chrome V2 Simulation
View of the Minatomirai waterfront district as seen from the water’s edge of Yamashita park in Yokohama, Japan. I love how the low-lying clouds obscure the tops of the hotels and office towers in the distance.
Yokohama Marine Tower
Fujifilm X100V (23 mm at ƒ/2)
ISO 2500 for 1/160 sec.
Classic Chrome V2 Simulation
Originally built as a lighthouse in 1961 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Port of Yokohama’s opening, the tower was the largest lighthouse in the world until 2008.
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