I know so many people who have Tokyo, or Japan in general, on their list of places they need to travel to. Let me tell you this, it’s everything you’d imagine plus more. There isn’t a time in the day that there’s nothing to do or going on. In comparison to the daily lifestyle, culture, and everything in between, it’s unbelievable to see the contrast between where we live compared to here. I was born here in Tokyo, moved to Canada when I was 3, and came back to visit a couple times leading up to graduating from high school, but it wasn’t until recently that I’ve been coming back at least a couple times a year. Anyone who knows me knows I need my BAPE fix.
I decided to switch it up this time around. Tokyo was always the destination for me whenever I came to Japan, but it’s just a small dot on the map compared to all of Japan. Osaka, the second busiest city in terms of population in Japan, was on the top of the list for me. I’m currently writing this post on the plane ride home, and it was yet another great trip for the books. I tweeted earlier this week saying at the beginning of the year I made a clear goal that I’d shoot photos in at least 10 countries in 2016, and that I was already halfway there. There’s a million places and countries that I’ve yet to step foot in, and I’m going to work my hardest to make it happen this year.
Osaka, compared to Tokyo, has rich roots when it comes to history, as there are countless iconic temples, museums, and historic landmarks. Kyoto, in particular, was home to many of those. I’m sure you all have seen photos of the Fushimi-Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. Walking through the shrine was breathtaking. With my camera in hand, there were countless photo opportunities. I remember just standing at one spot in the shrine, just watching people from all over the world walk through with the same thoughts I had, in awe.
I know there probably aren’t too many people who read through these posts, but I appreciate all the support I’ve been getting lately on everything I’ve been pushing for, there have been some incredible opportunities that I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of lately, and I can’t wait to share the news. I think the hardest part of it all was finding that one thing that made me happy, and now that I’ve been able to do just that, I’m just focused on doing everything in my power to make it happen.
I’m just going to let the rest of the pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy.
