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…
Tag: Travels
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 in Kyoto – Day 8
TRAVEL DIARY: ARASHIYAMA, KYOTO 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…
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: On the way to Shizuoka – Day 6
TRAVEL DIARY: 5TH STATION MT FUJI, LAKE KAWAGUCHIKO, FUJI FIVE LAKES, OSHINO-HAKKAI, SHIZUOKA 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…
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…
Seated teddies hoping you’ll say hi
Three cute bears in the Shinsekai district of Osaka. For Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge and Debbie’s Six Word Saturday
Travel Diary Azubadai Hills – Day 5
TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 5 AZUBADAI HILLS 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…
The Space Between
The space in between isn’t empty. It’s what gives everything else its shape. This week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge is hosted by Stupidity Hole, having the theme, THE SPACE BETWEEN. There’s something quietly powerful about the space in between. Between land and water, shadow and light, buildings and sky. It’s the gap where the canal meets the…
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,…
A little Ornament
Every year when I take this out of the box, I’m instantly brought back to that Christmas market in the UK where I found it. The handwritten names, Mum, Dad, Tim, and Pat … make it feel even more special. It’s one of those little ornaments that carries a whole story with it. I am…
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
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…
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)
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
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
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…
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
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…
On the Move
Something about being on the move (and stuck in a plane seat) convinces me that sky photography is my calling. Clouds, sunsets, random blue patches, I snap them all. Don’t judge me haha. I am linking this to Johnbo’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge with the theme “On the Move” Sunrise on board Singapore Airlines from…
Proof we were here…
Proof we were here… courtesy of our shadows. On our last full day in Osaka… at the Osaka Castle grounds. This is for Becky’s November Squares.