Visions of AsiaSeeing things differently.
The journal / Visions of Asia
After the marvelous experience of glimpsing Mount Fuji through the clouds, my journey led me toward a different kind of joy, Joy in Motion —the pulsating heart of the Awa Odori festival in Tokushima. This modest city in Tokushima Prefecture has long sustained itself through agriculture, its produce traditionally flowing through local markets rather than […]
After my visits to Shinjuku and Shibuya, despite a canicular heat in Tokyo, by the time I caught the bus at Shinjuku station, for Mount Fuji, it was starting to get gloomy. And as I got on the way, torrential rain started hitting the highway, giving me an idea of the weather ahead, leading to […]
After three long years of COVID restrictions, I yearned for the vivid contrasts of Tokyo’s nights – from the blazing neons of Shibuya’s towering screens and scrambled crossings, to the cozy izakayas tucked away in Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho.
Writing about Kyoto is also writing about the Japanese essence, as the city is so much enshrined in traditional Japanese culture. As autumn paints the city in vibrant hues, Ginkakuji becomes a true embodiment of the Japanese essence. Fall gives to this garden which is already magnificent additional colors literally making the place an enchantment […]
In my previous post, I talked about my visit to Fushimi-Inari shrine at dawn, and how I thereafter headed to the historical center of Kyoto. Visiting ancient Kyoto is a bit akin to traveling back in time, as the whole area is pedestrianized. The number of persons in kimono in that area thrusts you back […]
A long overdue post on my fall trip to Tokyo and Kyoto, last fall, before the coronavirus virtually grounded all of us. Visiting Kyoto in Autumn is the occasion of navigating between “zen” and trend, as the Japanese city shines in the fall colors. Traveling to Kyoto There are two ways to get to Kyoto, […]
Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, has been photographed so many times that it has become another symbol of Tokyo. It becomes quite another thing when you go on the street. A rainy night in Shibuya is quite the experience and mixes glimpses of cyberpunk experience with slices of life. You must just be willing to get […]
Asakusa, its market and the Senso-ji shrine are all important parts of any visit to Tokyo. But more than elsewhere, there is a special vibe, the Asakusa vibe which is present in that area and makes so lovable, despite the huge number of tourists. The senso-ji market The first thing tourists encounter when exiting the […]
As I returned to Japan, almost two years after my first trip, my priority for this solo trip was to connect with Japanese nature and tradition. I definitely wanted to do a hike in Japan, and the closest place to Tokyo to do so was Mount Takao. But if you follow this blog, you know […]
Upon arrival at Royton Sapporo, we quickly unpacked and got out to find decent gloves for my daughter. We also wished to experience our first evening in Sapporo under the snow. After going to Odori, we ended searching for an eating place in the central arcade gallery of Tanukikoji. Ramen as first meal in Hokkaido […]