Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry written in the pattern of 5,7,5 morae (syllables). It might sound a bit boring but I thought it would be a good way to depict the breathtaking garden of Kyoto’s Nanzenji Temple, with it’s vibrant display of autumn leaves. Over the wintry forest, winds howl in rage with no leaves [...]

In Tokyo dog lovers take their devotion to their darling pets up to totally different level. Jewel collars, luxury outfits, not to forgets gadgets to assist them too. Nothing’s too expensive for this man best friend. Apparently, the latest trend in the dog-lovers’ circle is yoga classes for dogs. It’s just so WRONG. What do you [...]

Tokyoites are like their city, a little too polite, a little too perfectly manicured. The workaholic stereotype is very true, so the norm rather ranges from standard-issue salaryman suit (overwhelmingly black or dark-blue) to grey office lady vests. On Sunday we went for a walk in the narrow streets of Harajuku. And finding a hint of [...]

In a city with such an incredible sense of style, uber-hip (and uber -cute!) kids clothes are no exception. Tokyo fashionitas’ moto? Teach them well!

Halloween outfits? No, just teenagers in Cos-play (costume play) posing like vampires at noon on Jingu bridge. Don’t know what to wear to this Xmas family reunion? From neogothic lolitas to grungy manga characters, there’re heaps of subgenres to choose from. No doubt your mother in law will love it!

Although less than one hour by train from Kyoto, Osaka is the counterpoint of the Japanese experience. No temple gates there, but a Bladerunner-like cyberpunk landscape of out of control concrete buildings, webs of electrical cables and neon canyons crackling with an energy drawn from somewhere in the future. It’s hard not to think about Ridley [...]

Okay, so since I haven’t had any time to write or post photos on this blog these past few days (sorry!), I was thinking that it’d be good to bring you along with me with a journey back in time. Come on, let’s take a quick tour in Kyoto, through the most famous Geisha district, [...]

It’s oh so still shh shh. You’re all alone shh shh. Kyoto has probably more temples, shrines and palaces per square kilometres than any other city in the world. While it’s known as “the city of a thousand temples,” it actually has more – plus 1,600 Buddhist ancient temples, 400 Shinto shrines, some of them [...]

This morning, 8am, at the Gold Coast airport: finally heading off to Japan, tired but overexcited, still drunk on all the beers on the australian sun, we’ve just passed the customs. We are in an unbreakably good mood. Ready for boarding – Woohoo, the world is ours baby!!! 9:15 – “Jetstar apologies for a slight delay [...]