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If you visit Japan, don’t expect to find almond milk for your coffee or rubbish bins on every corner. But what you will find are plenty of adorable logos and cute instructions.
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Osaka at night feels alive. The big glowing Running Man sign in Dotonbori lights up the busy streets. Food stalls fill the air with yummy smells.
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Visited Osaka Castle. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to wars, lightning strikes and natural disasters. The current structure dates back to 1931.
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In Osaka today.
Fun fact: Osaka brought the world the sushi train in 1958!
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Japan’s mastery of small-space solutions shows in designs like a basket under a cafe chair and an umbrella holder. These simple ideas maximise convenience and keep spaces uncluttered.
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I had a lovely 11km walk (included a nice hill climb) over two hours from the hotel to Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Japan's most iconic Shinto shrines in Kyoto.
The pathway up Mount Inari is lined with over 10,000 torii gates, each inscribed with the donor's name and the date of their donation.
The shrine itself extends across Mount Inari, with the summit standing at around 233 metres—a great workout!
Scattered throughout the grounds are stone fox statues, which are considered messengers of Inari. Many of these foxes are depicted holding keys in their mouths, symbolising the key to a rice granary.
The fox statues wear bright red scarves as a way to show respect and thanks to the spirit they represent. The red colour is also thought to keep away bad spirits and bring protection.
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Visited Kyoto Tower (131 metres tall, completed in 1964, inspired by a candle-like design). While it’s undeniably an iconic structure, the observation deck was surprisingly small, with a ceiling so low I could touch it with my hand.
Despite being built to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, the slight movement of the deck was noticeable—which definitely freaked out Em a bit!
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Nijō Castle, built in 1603 as a residence for Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, is a place best experienced in person. Its cypress-wood architecture and extensive gardens are amazing, far beyond what photos can convey.
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The first full day in Kyoto, a city home to over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines.
Busy Nishiki Market on Monday morning.
There are many wires hanging from the poles. I’m not sure why they don’t bury them underground—perhaps it’s due to earthquakes.
The city has strict height restrictions, preserving its low-rise, picturesque views.
A road sign that looked like an alien holding a child.
And the streets here? They’re typically narrow and quiet.
Fushimi Inari Shrine at night
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Japanese post boxes are delightfully short. Their tops barely reach belly-button height.
This compact design is no accident. It prioritizes accessibility, ensuring children and wheelchair users can easily reach them.
