日本 JAPAN

稲荷神社

Thousands of contributions create the wonder of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The orange gateway winds through the mountainside just outside Kyoto.

A person dressed in traditional Japanese ceremonial attire, standing on a stone pathway with hands raised in prayer in front of a wooden structure, likely at a shrine, surrounded by trees.

供物

In Japanese folklore, 'kitsune' are foxes with the paranormal ability to shapeshift into human form. Offerings of rice and sake are given to the kitsune, who in return are then expected to plead with Inari Gods on the worshipper's behalf.

A traditional Japanese shrine entrance with a stone torii gate, wooden buildings, and lush greenery, including trees and bushes, under a clear sky.
Black and white photo of Tokyo Skytree viewed through blooming tree branches.
A bamboo water spout pouring water into a stone basin.
A woman with long brown hair sitting at a wooden counter in a cozy, modern interior, looking outside the window with sunglasses resting on the counter.
Creamy pasta dish with herbs and spices in a black skillet on a wooden table with a wooden spoon nearby.
Interior of a large sumo wrestling arena filled with spectators, with a sumo ring in the center and a thatched roof structure overhead.

相撲

Japan is the only country where sumo is recognised and contested professionally. Almost all sumo wrestlers live in communal sumo training stables where their everyday lives are dictated by strict tradition.

Side view of a shirtless man with dark hair tied back, standing alone behind a chain-link fence in a stadium or sports arena, looking to the right.
People sitting in a conference room wearing face masks, some taking photos or videos, attending an event.
A sumo wrestler is participating in a traditional Japanese ritual, with one leg raised and pressing against the side of an elevator door, while attendants in yellow jackets and face masks observe.

相撲生活

As soon as wrestlers join their stable, they are expected to grow their hair to form a topknot, similar to the samurai hairstyles of the Edo Period. Rules outline that wrestlers must be softly spoken, and during tournaments, they should refrain from showing joy at winning or disappointment at losing.

Older man with gray hair and glasses wearing a blue traditional garment, working with wooden bowls in a dimly lit workshop with wooden walls and various tools and objects in the background.
A black and white photo of an elderly man with gray hair and glasses working at a cluttered workbench.
A cluttered workspace with scattered papers, tools, plates, and a person working at the table.
A tranquil lake with a wooden dock extending into the water, surrounded by mountains in the background under a clear sky.

日光

Lake Chuzenji, known as the Sea of Happiness, was formed 20,000 years ago when Mount Nantai erupted, cutting the now lake off from the Yukawa River.

An elderly man in a white shirt and dark vest sitting in the driver's seat of a black taxi, looking at the camera, with Japanese characters on the side of the vehicle.
Black and white photo of people looking at Mount Fuji through a window.
A woman with long hair wearing a white t-shirt and light-colored pants looking out at a cityscape through a large window, with her reflection visible in the glass.
A woman dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono standing outdoors near a shrine, holding a patterned handbag.
A person standing alone at the edge of a waterfront, looking out over the water with ripples, near a paved area with yellow and black curbs and a yellow boat bumper.

東京

Tokyo is a city that lives for the night. The mix of endless neon advertising, historic temples, cherry blossom and rackety arcades offers visitors a memorable Japanese experience.

People standing at the end of a dark corridor near large windows, with two individuals wearing face masks and one person in a uniform.
Neon sign with green Chinese characters and a red Chinese paper lantern hanging above, set against a dusky sky.
A window with seven sake bottles lined up on the sill, two bicycles are parked in front, and blackboards with Japanese writing are on the side wall in a dimly lit setting.
Two men in traditional robes and face masks loading luggage into the trunk of a taxi with the door open. A delivery truck with Japanese characters is in the background.
A young boy with black hair wearing a gray shirt, beige pants with patterns, and a face mask, sitting on a yellowish-brown bench in a public transportation setting, holding hands with an adult beside him. The adult is wearing glasses and a mask, look
Two young women wearing traditional Japanese kimonos and cat ear headbands, holding small handbags with large bows, standing together in front of a mural. One woman is wearing a white kimono with gray ears, while the other is wearing a black lace kim
City skyline at sunset viewed through window bars, with tall skyscrapers and streets below.
Nighttime view of the Tokyo Skytree illuminated with purple and colorful lights against a dark blue sky.

My visit to Japan focused on the country's South and South Eastern prefectures, which were straightforward to explore as transport is well-organised. With an abundance of outstanding Shinkansens, Metro lines and punctual buses to get you almost everywhere.

Along with minimal influence from outside cultures and the immaculate preservation of historical traditions, Japan feels remarkably, well... Japanese.

The people of Japan are polite, peaceful and considerate. And with the fascinating clash of ancient, vintage and future Tokyo, this city and its wonderful country are uniquely unlike most places I've travelled and photographed. 

A collection of travel tickets, Japanese yen banknotes, photographs, a colorful twisted cord, and a small plastic figurine of a child in yellow shorts.