Uonami Light Trails Photo Guide
Tokyo neon is beautiful. Many photographers, including myself, adore its electric glow. Luckily, this city has plenty. Many places are famous for it. Some not-so-well-known spots exist, too. One of them is Shiinamchi’s, Uonami.
Shiinamachi Station is standard Tokyo fare. Shrines and temples are nearby. The shopping arcade has shops that don’t attract many customers. Let’s get back on target, taking photos! We need to look at Uonami.
Uonami is a fish restaurant. More precisely, it is a sakaba. That word describes no-frills Japanese-style restaurants/bars. They are down-to-earth and nothing fancy. The sake is good, and the food is cheap. It is old-world style. The word izakaya is more common now. They are quintessential Tokyo. What is on this place is why we have come.
Beautiful neon signboards are on Uonami. The topmost one is Actis Real Estate. Sakae Constructions is the lower.
The neon is beautiful. A lantern in front of Uonami beckons customers. That adds a nice touch. The building is old. Rain would make it look like a scene from Blade Runner. Couldn’t you imagine Edward James Olmos walking there with an umbrella?
At first glance, it looks like the three layers are one building. They aren’t. The top one is on the building behind. When I first saw it, I thought they were all together. It’s a simple mistake to make, especially at night.
Occasional cars or taxis pass the building if you wait. Bicycles are there, too. Everyone leaves light trails at night. That is the time to shoot this place.
Where is Uonami Sakaba?
Address: 1-39-1 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo
It is in front of the Seibu-Ikebukuro line’s Shiinamachi Station.
Here it is on Google Maps:
Area photographs
How Did I Take This Photo?
- Uonami is near the Shuto Expressway, which has a conveniently placed bridge. Place cameras on its walkway.
- I took nine images and stacked them in Photoshop.
What Gear Did I Use?
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 16-55 mm F2.8 R LM WR
Conclusion
The Uonami photo is a mini-scene from Blade Runner. It is a must-take “Tokyo neon” photo. My version of it isn’t perfect. Some areas are over-exposed. Fewer clouds in the sky would have been better, too. I’ll get around to retaking it eventually. Leave questions and comments below!
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city one day.
Here are more light trail photographs:
External related websites:
- Uonami (official website)