Japan offers an incredible mix of energy, culture, and natural beauty. Our first week was based out of Tokyo where we not only explored the city but did a couple of day trips. The capital city of Tokyo dazzled with its electric neighborhoods, world-class food, and seamless blend of tradition and modernity. Just beyond the city, Mt. Fuji revealed itself from scenic lookout spots like Oshino Hakkai and Arakurayama Sengen Park, where on a clear day the iconic peak felt almost surreal against the sky. In Kamakura, our focus shifted to its rich spiritual heritage, with tranquil temples tucked into forested hillsides and the awe-inspiring Great Buddha which is a powerful symbol of the city’s history. Further north, we visited Nikkō which felt like stepping into another world entirely, where ornate shrines and temples are set among towering cedar forests, made even more magical in autumn when vibrant fall foliage blanketed the landscape in shades of red, orange, & gold, and dramatic waterfalls added to the region’s striking natural beauty.
Got picked up from the train station and brought to our Shinjuku based apartment by the wonderful Mr. Zhaoming Yang
Diorama display of Godzilla on the 3oth floor of the Godzilla Hotel (Hotel Gracery) in Shinjuku
Godzilla on Hotel Gracery's rooftop in Shinjuku
Greeted by a person in cosplay at the Shinjuku Ale bar in Tokyo
Shinjuku's Golden Gai is a famous entertainment district in Tokyo known for its narrow alleys packed with dozens of tiny, retro-style bars (each often seating only a few people)
Kabukicho (located in Tokyo's Shinjuku district) is Japan's largest red-light district featuring neon-lit streets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and adult-oriented venues such as hostess clubs and soaplands
Bustling nightlife scene in Omoide Yokocho, a narrow alleyway in Shinjuku famous for its tiny bars and yakitori (grilled chicken) stalls
Customers at a traditional, tiny izakaya restaurant located in the famous Omoide Yokocho (also known as "Piss Alley" or "Memory Lane") in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo
Vibrant nightlight scene on a busy street in the Shinjuku district
Entrance to the gift store on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which offers free panoramic views of the city
Wonderful nighttime view of Tokyo's skyline taken from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku
Interior of the historic dome at Tokyo Station
The historic red-brick Marunouchi building of Tokyo Station
Swans at Lake Yamanaka, the largest of the Fuji Five Lakes located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
A moss-covered Jizo statue reflected in a pond at Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai village is famous for its eight clear spring ponds fed by snowmelt from Mount Fuji
Two dogs in a pampered dog stroller at Oshino Hakkai
Oshino Hakkai heritage village
Oshino Soba Shochu (buckwheat-based distilled spirit) for sale at Oshino Hakkai Heritage Village
The picturesque village of Oshino Hakkai
Thatched-roof buildings in the traditional village of Oshino Hakkai
A cute girl in a stroller at Oshino Hakkai Village
Traditional watermill at Oshino Hakkai Village
An elderly woman making matcha red bean mochi
An old lady selling "kusamochi" (grass mochi), a traditional street food snack commonly sold in Japan. It is a grilled Japanese rice cake filled with red bean paste This specialty snack is often sold at Oshino Hakkai Village
Tuxedo cat at Oshino Hakkai Village
We enjoyed the kusa mochi so much that we ended up buying these from several vendors
A traditional Japanese food stall selling dango (skewered rice dumplings) which are grilled over charcoal on a specialized circular grill
This is Japan's most popular Lawson Convenience Store because it offers a perfect view of Mount Fuji framed directly behind the store
Girls dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos at Oishi Park
Vibrant red kochia bushes (summer cypress) in Oishi Park with Mt Fuju in the background
View of Mount Fuji taken from the viewpoint near the Chureito Pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
A traditional red torii gate at the Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine framing a view of Mount Fuji
The iconic Chureito Pagoda at sunset with Mt Fuji in the background
Honcho Street (Fuji-michi) in Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida City, is a popular, bustling street famous for its dramatic, framed view of Mount Fuji which appears to loom directly over the town
Honcho street view of Mount Fuji
Shuttered storefronts of shops on Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street
Nakamise Street in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. This is the path leading to the entrance of the Sensō-ji Temple
Hōzōmon Gate, the main entrance leading to the Sensō-ji Temple in the Asakusa district
A giant red paper lantern hanging under the entrance to the Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa
Visitors inside the main hall of the Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa
Five-Storied Pagoda at Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa
Old stone bridge over a koi pond located on the grounds of the historic Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa
Serene gardens surrounding the temple hall of Sensō-ji Temple
Main hall of Sensō-ji, which is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo
Purification fountain (temizuya) at the Senso-ji Temple
View of the Tokyo Skytree and the Sumida River from the Azumabashi Bridge
Statue of Saigo Takamori, a prominent samurai leader from the 19th century who played a key role in the Meiji Restoration and is often considered the "last true samurai"
Hanazono Inari-jinja Shrine; Ueno Park
The historic Five-Storied Pagoda of the Kan'ei-ji Temple; Ueno Park
Copper lanterns (Tōrō) located at the Ueno Tōshō-gū Shrine
Yodobashi Camera store in the Ueno district of Tokyo, situated next to the entrance of the vibrant Ameya-Yokochō (Ameyoko) market street
Ameya-Yokochō (Ameyoko) market street in the Ueno district of Tokyo
Seafood stall in the Ameyoko Market
Akihabara district in Tokyo famously known as "Electric Town". It is a major shopping district for electronics, anime, manga, and video games and is considered the center of Japanese otaku culture
View of the historical Fujimi-yagura (Mount Fuji View Keep) within the Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds, set against the modern skyline of the Marunouchi business district
Traditionally dressed locals watching a performance at the Yasukuni-jinja Shinto shrine
View of Tokyo from Shibuya Sky
Evening view of the illuminated Tokyo Tower
The famous Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo from a high vantage point. This is one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings in the world with thousands of people crossing from multiple directions simultaneously
Sanmon Main Gate of Engaku-ji Temple; Kamakura
Butsuden (Buddha Hall) of the Engaku-ji Temple; Kamakura
Seated statue of Hokan Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni with a Jeweled Crown) located in the Butsuden (Buddha Hall) of Engaku-ji temple
Ceiling painting of a dragon at the Engaku-ji Temple
Robby standing in front of the 1699 thatched-roof Senbutsujo Hall at the Engaku-ji Temple. This building is used for Zen meditation training
Detailed wood relief carving of a dragon and sea waves located at the Engaku-ji Temple in Kamakura
Numerous small stone statues (Jizō) typically placed to protect travelers, children, and to pray for souls, set amidst a traditional garden at Engaku-ji Temple
Myokochi Pond at Engaku-ji Temple
Japanese temple building at Engaku-ji Temple
Butsunichian sub-temple located within the Engaku-ji temple complex
Small shrine at the Engaku-ji Temple complex
Two Buddhist monks walking along a pathway inside the Engaku-ji temple complex in Kamakura
Bronze statue of Kannon Bosatsu (also known as the Goddess of Mercy in Japanese Buddhism) standing on a lotus pedestal; Engaku-ji temple
This 2.7 ton Bonshō (large temple bell) was cast in 1255; Kencho-ji Temple
Sanmon gate of Kencho-ji Temple
Pathway leading up to Dharma Hall; Kencho-ji Temple
Dragon ceiling of the Dharma Hall (Hattō) at Kenchō-ji temple
Wooden model of a six-story pagoda; Kencho-ji Temple
Traditional hall at Kencho-ji Temple
A monk walking past the Karamon (Golden Gate) at Kenchō-ji Temple in Kamakura
Scenic stone pathway leading to a temple structure at Kencho-ji Temple Complex
Pathway leading to a traditional Shinto shrine at Kenchō-ji Temple Complex
Traditional Japanese stone pagoda, often referred to as a sekito (stone tower)
Statues of Karasu Tengu at the Hansōbō shrine within the Kenchō-ji temple complex in Kamakura
Becky in front of a large display of ceremonial sake barrels at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura
A Japanese family participating in Shichi-Go-San, a traditional Japanese rite of passage festival for children celebrating their growth and well-being
A traditional bell tower and sand garden at Hokoku-ji Temple in Kamakura
Bamboo grove at Hokoku-ji Temple
Robby at the Hokoku-ji Bamboo Forest
A Japanese tour guide dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono at Hokoku-ji Temple
Zen garden at Hokoku-ji Temple
Ryoen Jizo statues located in the gardens of the Hase-dera Temple in Kamakura
Seafood stall at Kamakura street food market
Jizō Bosatsu statues (a revered deity in Japanese Buddhism known for protecting children, travelers, and the souls of unborn babies) at Hase-dera Temple
Thousands of Mizuko Jizō statues located at Hase-dera Temple
Amida Buddha statue located inside the Amida-do Hall at Hase-dera Temple
Laughing Buddha statue at Hase-dera Temple
Ema (votive wooden plaques) from Hase-dera Temple in Kamakura
Gold Amida Buddha statue housed within the Hase-dera temple
Buddha's footprint (bussokuseki) located within the grounds of the Hase-dera temple
Rinzo (revolving sutra repository) inside the Kyodo hall at Hase-dera Temple
Traditional Zen garden at the Hase-dera temple
Statue of Daikokuten, the Japanese god of wealth, fortune, and farmers
Sammon gate main entrance of the Hase-dera Temple
Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) at Kotoku-in Temple. This bronze Buddha was cast around 1252 during the Kamakura period
Blue dragon and Mt Fuji mural on a building in Asakusa with the Tokyo Skytree in the background
Old Samurai figure hanging on a facade in Asakusa
The vermillion-lacquered Shinkyo Bridge is an icon of Nikko. It sits at the entrance to the Nikko mountains and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Sanbutsudō Hall (Three Buddhas Hall) of the Rinnō-ji Temple in Nikkō
Nikkō Tōshō-gū (a five-story pagoda) is a UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate
The "Imaginary Elephants" carving where the artist created the wood carvings based solely on written descriptions as he had never seen one before! This is located on the Kamijinko (Upper Storehouse) at the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine complex in Nikkō
Medieval storehouse at the Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine located in Nikkō
Monkey carvings on the Sacred Stable of the Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine
The famous woodcarving of the "Three Wise Monkeys" at the Nikko Toshogu Shrine (hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil)
One of a dozen buildings located in the Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine complex
Dutch Lantern gifted by the Dutch East India Company in 1643; Tōshō-gū Shinto shrine complex
Statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, located inside the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine complex
The Shoro (Belfry) at the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine complex in Japan, a location renowned for its ornate architecture and history
Detailed tiger wood carving on the Yomeimon Gate at the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine
The Nemuri-neko (Sleeping Cat) sculpture, a famous national treasure of Japan
The Sakashitamon Gate at the Tōshō-gū Shrine in Nikkō
The ornate Karamon Gate at the Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō
The entrance torii gate to the Futarasan Shrine
Niomon Gate at Taiyuin Temple
Building at the Taiyūin Mausoleum of the Rinnō-ji temple complex
A collection of traditional stone lanterns (tōrō) located at the Rinnō-ji temple complex
Belfry or drum tower located at the Taiyūin Mausoleum in Nikkō
Taiyūin Mausoleum (Taiyuinbyo), the final resting place of the third Tokugawa Shogun
Niomon Gate at the Taiyūin Temple
Ornate detail on the Niomon Gate at the Taiyūin Temple
Narabi Jizo statues located in the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Ryuzu Falls in Nikko National Park
Ryūzu Falls is a famous waterfall located in Nikkō
Nikkō's breathtaking fall foliage on display at Nikko National Park
A stacked wall of consecrated sake barrels, known as kazaridaru, at the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo
Mipig Cafe on Takeshita Street has micro pigs that visitors can play with
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku "Harakado" commercial complex
Robby enjoying our meal at Tempura Satoumisatoyama
Iconic life-sized King Kong statue located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo
This bronze statue commemorates an Akita dog named Hachikō, famous for his unwavering loyalty in waiting for his owner at Shibuya Station every day for nine years after his passing
