Japan

Tokyo

Landed at Haneda early, without jetlag. We had roughly a week in Tokyo before going south to Kyoto and Osaka by Shinkansen. The first full day was all Shibuya, with perfect weather.

The scale was incredible. We started high up, taking in the scramble crossing, and then worked our way down to street level. Also: Tokyo's architecture really rewards looking up. Every block has something incredible. My camera roll filled up real quick.

Benefit of travelling to Japan in early spring is that it's starting to bloom. The plum blossoms were out already, with cherry blossoms just starting. We were back in Tokyo for the last two days, and by then the cherry blossoms had arrived. We did end up seeing some in Kyoto and Osaka as well.

Kyoto

Took the Shinkansen south. Two and a half hours, window seat. Sadly too foggy to see Mt. Fuji. But yes, it's... fast. And incredibly, incredibly well designed. Imagine being able to put the tray table down easily without the person in front of you being affected, or reclining your seat without anyone getting their space taken. Yes, it's possible.

Fushimi Inari is the kind of place where every angle has been photographed a million times, and it still stops you. Naturally... I had to take a lot of my own. Hiked all the way to the top, and the view was worth it.

Osaka

Last stop. Osaka felt different from the start. I got Berlin vibes somehow, lots of creativity, expression, and energy throughout the entire city. We were a lot less lucky in terms of weather, but that didn't affect us all that much. Very walkable, incredible architecture, and lots of inspiration everywhere you look.

Two weeks, 1,937 photos, and these are the ones that stuck. I'll be back. If for nothing else but the incredible architecture.