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…
Tag: 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 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 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…
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…
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
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
Wooden Cottage in Glenorchy
Spotted this charming little cottage in Glenorchy, New Zealand —with its rusty old wheel still attached and glass windows with flower boxes spilling over with blooms. The weathered wood, the vintage vibes, and that stunning alpine backdrop make it feel like something straight out of a storybook. This is something really special. And this is…
Sit & Knit
Spotted these two red chairs in the town of Te Anau, NZ—right by the lake and just too cute to ignore. Te Anau’s known as the gateway to Fiordland, but honestly, it’s got its own quiet charm that makes you want to stay a little longer. The chairs had a little sign that said ‘Sit…
Kia Ora Aotearoa
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 14 QUEENSTOWN The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand (Aotearoa). They first settled the islands over 700 years ago. In New Zealand, “kia ora” is a common Māori greeting meaning “hello,” “goodbye,” or “thank you.” More than a phrase, it conveys a wish for well-being—“have life” or “be well.”…
Strolling around Te Anau
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 12 TE ANAU On our 12th day, the rain poured nonstop. Luckily, we had this extra day to stay in—it would’ve been too difficult to drive. So, it turned into a Netflix kind of day. TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 13 DRIVE FROM TE ANAU TO QUEENSTOWN What a surprise—the sun came out just…
Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown
Let me take you back to Arrowtown, New Zealand—this time, in the opposite direction from the main street I shared earlier. The first thing that caught my eye was a historic cabin nestled against a forest backdrop. It is the old Police Hut in the Chinese Settlement of Arrowtown which is a favourite among photographers….