I’d seen Katsuo-ji Temple on Instagram and had been really excited to visit. We left at 9am, taking the train and then a bus, and the hour journey itself already felt like part of the adventure. This is the Katsuo-ji Temple in Mino, Osaka, and we knew we had arrived the moment we saw tiny…
Category: Travels 2025
Kyoto Doors
Kyoto doors, much like the city itself, feel quiet, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in tradition. In general, they are simple and understated rather than grand. Many are made of wood that has been left to age naturally, so you’ll often see soft browns, greys, and weathered textures that tell a story of time passing. The…
Travel Diary in Namba – Day 12
Today we’re exploring the Namba area. Our first stop is Yasaka Shrine, famous for its giant lion head that looks both fierce and fascinating, and is said to swallow bad luck and bring good fortune. So many quirky shops around the Namba area. Walked all the way to Dotonbori which is a vibrant district in…
My Favourites from 2025
This week’s challenge is My Favourites from 2025. I went back through photos from two of my travel destinations and chose a few favourites. Some may be familiar, but they’re images that still hold meaning for me and bring back moments I loved. For the South Island of New Zealand, choosing a favourite wasn’t easy….
Travel Diary in Nakazakicho & Umeda – Day 11
It was still a tour day in Osaka for those who booked the optional excursions, but Jack and I decided to explore on our own. Took the train to Nakazakicho. But first Brunch… I’d read about this place called Nakazakicho, Osaka’s bohemian soul. It is just the place for me…narrow lanes, old wooden houses turned…
My 2025 Travels in Pen & Ink
I enjoy urban sketching—plein air sketching, sketching on location, or whatever you may want to call it. I may not be very good at it but I find it incredibly relaxing. Seeing my travels captured in watercolour and pen is the best way for me to keep those memories alive. Here are some of the…
Travel Diary in Nara – Day 10
From Kyoto, we headed to Fushimi Inari … and as expected, it was incredibly busy. We wandered around, browsing here and there, taking in the energy of the place, and even found time to try the famous 10-yen coin–shaped, custard-filled pancake, which was a fun (and sweet) little treat along the way. Fushimi Inari is…
Tavel Diary in Miyama & Kinkaku-ji – Day 9
It was our free day on the tour, so I asked the hotel if they had any trips to the Golden Pavilion. They said the shuttle wasn’t direct and would pass by Niiyama, which meant the journey would take a bit longer. Oh well — it was a free shuttle, so we figured, why not?…
Travel Diary Kyoto – Day 8 (Part 2)
Jack and I continued our walk and reached the Kamo River. The Kamo River (鴨川, Kamo-gawa), runs through Kyoto and is a popular place for locals and visitors to wander, sit by the water, and enjoy a slower pace of the city. Enjoyed a lovely lunch overlooking the Kamo River. Honestly, it doesn’t get much…
Travel Diary in Kyoto – Day 8
Kyoto has this quiet charm that reveals itself in its little laneways—narrow paths lined with wooden houses, simple doors, and tiny details that feel like stepping back in time. Every turn seems to lead to a hidden shrine, a tea shop, or an old doorway that has its own story. It’s the kind of place…
Travel Diary On the way to Kyoto – Day 7
Another long day of travelling awaited us, with around four hours on the bus ahead. We started the morning with an early breakfast, took a quick walk around the hotel grounds, and then began our journey toward Kyoto. It was one of those quiet travel days where you just settle into your seat and watch…
Travel Diary: On the way to Shizuoka – Day 6
Today’s tour from Tokyo to Shizuoka was a mostly relaxed one, spent largely on the bus as we made our way from one stop to the next. Altogether, we were on the road for about three hours. It is just enough time to sit back, enjoy the scenery drifting past the window, or even sneak…
Last Chance: South Island
Some South Island scenes I haven’t posted yet … or may have forgotten if I already did. Sharing them now before the year closes, for Tina’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge with the theme “Last Chance”. A last glimpse of autumn purple at NZ Alpine Lavender Farm. The South Island skies is always dramatic, vast, and…
Travel Diary Azubadai Hills – Day 5
Our main itinerary for today was to visit TeamLab Borderless, since we had a free day on our tour. So we took our time exploring the area before heading in on our designated entry time of 12 noon. Azabudai Hills is a modern shopping centre with a sleek architecture and High end shops inside. There…
Travel Diary First Day of Tour – Day 4
So today, our tour officially began. We finally met our tour mates, and they all seemed like such a happy, easygoing bunch. It already feels like the start of a fun trip. First stop is the Meiji Shrine. I walked into Meiji Shrine through its huge wooden gate, and suddenly Tokyo felt far away. The…
Asakusa & its Doors
As I wandered through Asakusa, I found myself slowing down for something most people probably walk past without a second thought—the doors. Unlike the ornate temples or the colourful bustle of shopping Streets, the doors here are simple, clean, and almost understated. Some are plain wooden panels softened by age, others are neatly painted with…
Travel Diary in Asakusa – Day 3
It was our third day in Tokyo, and we took the train around 9am. Since it was a public holiday, I wasn’t too worried about it being crowded. We took 2 trains and a bit of walking to reach Nakamise Street. Walking through Nakamise Street felt like stepping into a long, living hallway of colours,…
Travel Diary in Shibuya & Shinjuku – Day 2
Right after breakfast on Day 2 in Tokyo, we were off again, heading straight for Shibuya. It is busy, loud, and buzzing with its own kind of magic. And just outside Shibuya Station, we found the famous Hachikō statue. I’ve seen it in photos countless times, but standing there in the middle of all the…
Coffee time at Nakazakicho
A great place to rest after an hour of walking… coffee time. This area is Nakazakicho in Osaka, famous for its high concentration of unique and stylish cafes. For Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge For Jude’s Bench Anniversary
Doors from Ginza to Shibuya
We went from Ginza to Shibuya by train, and of course I was busy taking photos of the doors and every quirky little detail. Japan does this to you haha I am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Door Challenge. And of course Jack had to go through the doors of the famous Tower Records to…
Travel Diary in Roppongi – Day 1 (Part 2)
Our first day in Tokyo wasn’t over yet, but my last post was getting a little long—so here’s the continuation. We hopped on a train to Roppongi, known for its artsy vibe, and ended up arriving earlier than our booking to a Museum. Perfect excuse for lunch. We found a spot at Mohri Salvatore, with…
Shadows of Beams & of Little People
Some shadows cast for Becky’s November Shadows taken at the Sou Fujimoto’s exhibit at the Mori Museum
Tuesday Streetart: Dotonbori – 110
Walking along the Dotonbori River, I noticed colourful painted walls stretching along both sides. They added so much life to the walk—bright characters, bold colours, and little details that made me stop every few steps. It’s one of those small surprises in Osaka that makes a simple riverside stroll feel fun.
Travel Diary in Ginza – Day 1
Day 1 Well, it’s our first full day here in Tokyo and so far, things are off to a great start. Flight Centre booked us at Hotel Monday Premium Toyosu, and because we added three extra nights before our tour, we got to settle in properly. Best decision ever. The hotel turned out to be…
Rose Lips Shinsaibashi
Spotted this cute hotel by the Dotonbori River in Osaka. It is called Petit Hotel Rose Lips Shinsaibashi . From the outside it looks like a charming place, but upon my research, all are smoking rooms… so definitely not for me to book. I am linking this to Ludwig’s Monday Window Challenge.
A lone bench in Yamanakako village
Somewhere in Yamanakako Village, a wobbly, forgotten bench caught my eye. No one sat on it, no one photographed it—but I did. Even the broken corners of a place deserve a moment. This is a place near Mt Fuji. I am linking this to Jude’s Bench Anniversary and for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge
Mysterious
This week’s challenge is from Patti with the theme of Mysterious. Mysterious: A mood or moment in a place that feels quietly powerful, subtly beautiful, or filled with secrets you can’t quite name. Mysterious is how this church in Porto rises against the night or a lone bird flying above a cathedral. It can be…
Balcony shadows shaping the morning light
During one of our walking tours in Kyoto, i saw this apartment building with its beautiful, symmetrical balcony shadows. For Becky’s November Shadows and for Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Floral Friday – 19
It’s been a bit since my last post for Floral Friday, so here’s something simple and sweet—pink blooms on a quiet Miyama road.
Sheds, Doors & Shadows
In the South Island even the simplest things like an old shed, a half-open door, the play of shadows, feel poetic. New Zealand really knows how to make the ordinary beautiful. I am linking this to Becky’s November Shadows and for Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge