Walking around Kyoto at night, I noticed the doors. Wooden doors, metal doors and small shopfronts sat quietly under soft lights. Each one felt calm and timeless, resting after a long day (except of course for the ever busy Don Quijote – a Japanese discount store). I am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.
Tag: Travels 2025
Where Smiles Meet the Grumpy Chef
In Osaka, I spotted several smiling golden figures sitting proudly in Japanese restaurants and shopfronts. This is Billiken, a beloved good-luck character. Originally inspired by a Western statue and introduced to Japan in the early 1900s, Billiken has become a symbol of happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. Billiken is usually shown seated, with pointy ears…
Travel Diary in Osaka Castle – Day 14
TRAVEL DIARY: OSAKA CASTLE, SHINSEKAI MARKET There’s a charming little tourist train, often called the Osaka Castle Park Train, which loops around the castle grounds. It is an easy way to see the sights and save on walking. Here are some images from around the castle, with the added bonus of autumn colours. Food stalls…
Shop doors in Shinsekai
This is in Osaka’s nostalgic Shinsekai district where there are rows of small shopfronts. Many open into modest eateries selling Osaka favourites, souvenirs, and affordable meals, giving the street its lively, old-fashioned charm. I am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge.
Travel Diary in Katsuo-ji Temple – Day 13
TRAVEL DIARY: KATSUO-JI TEMPLE 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…
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
TRAVEL DIARY: NAMBA 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…
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
TRAVEL DIARY: NAKAZAKICHO & UMEDA 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…
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
TRAVEL DIARY: FUSHIMI INARI, NARA, OSAKA 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…
Tavel Diary in Miyama & Kinkaku-ji – Day 9
TRAVEL DIARY: MIYAMA, KINKAKU-JI 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 Miyama, which meant the journey would take a bit longer. Oh well — it was a free shuttle, so…
Travel Diary Kyoto – Day 8 (Part 2)
TRAVEL DIARY: KYOTO 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…
Travel Diary On the way to Kyoto – Day 7
TRAVEL DIARY: OBUCHI-SASABA, KYOTO 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…
Travel Diary First Day of Tour – Day 4
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 4 MEIJI SHRINE, HARAJUKU 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,…
Travel Diary in Asakusa – Day 3
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 3 ASAKUSA 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…
Travel Diary in Shibuya & Shinjuku – Day 2
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 2 SHIBUYA & SHINJUKU 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…
Travel Diary in Roppongi – Day 1 (Part 2)
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 1 (Part 2) ROPPONGI 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…
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
Travel Diary in Ginza – Day 1
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 1 GINZA 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…
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…
Casting silhouettes
There’s something playful about this mural … a bright, smiling sun nestled inside a giant daisy, spreading its colours across the whole corner of the building. What I love most is how the real sun above joins in the fun. Its light hits the street just right, stretching long shadows of people walking by. It…
Me & My Shadow
Show me wings on a wall and I’m instantly in photo mode. Luckily, Jack’s always exactly the right height to wear them. … but for me? The wings always land on my head instead haha. But what I loved most this time wasn’t the wings, but our shadows on the wall. Taken outside the Cacao…
Miyama’s Timeless Landscape
Nestled in the mountains of Kyoto Prefecture, Miyama feels like a step back in time. The thatched-roof farmhouses, mist-covered hills, and quiet fields create a landscape that seems untouched by the rush of modern life. It’s a scene where tradition and nature blend seamlessly — a perfect moment for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, hosted…
Shadow Trail in Obuchi Sasaba
On our way up to the tea plantation in Obuchi Sasaba, we walked along this peaceful trail where the sunlight and shadows danced together. It is a place near Mt Fuji, a fitting moment for Becky’s November Square theme—Shadows.
Tuesday Streetart: Ginza – 109
Somewhere in Ginza, on the corner of a building I can’t quite remember, I came across this embossed piece of street art. It’s one of those little discoveries you stumble upon when you’re not really looking — quiet, elegant, and perfectly at home amid the polished streets of Ginza.
Snippets of Tokyo… in Square
When in Japan, it’s totally normal to walk thousands of steps a day. Today was one of those days … lots of walking, a few train rides, and some city exploring. In the afternoon, we grabbed a taxi to Roppongi Hills to check out the exhibits at the Mori Art Museum. Here’s a square shot…
Sunrise in Tokyo
For Tina’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, the theme Ephemeral feels just right. This morning, I watched the sunrise from my hotel window in Tokyo. The sky slowly shifted from soft grey to pink, then to gold as the sun appeared over the city skyline. For a few quiet minutes, everything felt calm … no trains yet,…
Streetart on Utility Doors in Christchurch
I’ve mentioned in some earlier posts from my South Island trip that Christchurch has some pretty amazing murals. This time, I came across something a little different—art on utility doors all over the city. It was such a fun little surprise to spot them as I wandered around. A bonus find of a streetart and…
Queenstown Hostel Benches
Saw these benches just outside of a hostel in Queenstown New Zealand I am linking this to Jude’s Bench Challenge and for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge