Last updated on July 17, 2019
Last week, we shared our full Japan itinerary, a mega 5,000-word post with every detail to help you plan your trip to Japan. Not everyone is going to want to read such a hefty post so this week it’s time for the storybook version – our Japan trip in photos. Here are 65 photos showing the madness, calm, beauty and magnificence of Japan – just looking at them is making me want to return!
It began in Tokyo, the neon capital.
It’s a place with the philosophy “never too much”…
….where you can see inexplicable shows…
…in dazzling technicolour.
When the razzmatazz gets too much, Tokyo has its softer side, with ancient parks…
…cabbage flowers…
…and unexpected spots of history.
There’s a whole area, Jimbocho, devoted to books…
…and if you like owls, there’s even an owl cafe.
Cheap vegetarian food can be found in the curry shops…
…and in Café de l’Ambre you’ll find the smallest pot of milk you ever did see (see this guide to what to eat in Japan).
Japan is paradise for game lovers. There are whole multi-storey emporiums devoted to play. You have to have a go! (Here are some ideas for things to do in Tokyo with kids.)
And when evening comes, try some Japanese whiskey – best sampled in a cocktail bar like Ishinohana.
You can take respite from the city in Hakone – 34 minutes on the shinkansen and you’re in nature, backed by the mighty Mount Fuji.
Ride the pirate boat…
…stop for lunch…
…and don’t miss the coffee in a caravan.
A ryokan is the quintessential place to stay…
…to take some tea…
…a multi-course meal…
…and moments of contemplation in an onsen.
The Hakone Open Air Museum is an arty delight…
…with world-class sculptures…
…that you can walk inside of.
Some are for kids…
…like this rather big one.
Next, it’s time for a traditional onsen town in a little place named Shibu Onsen.
Dress the part…
…and collect stamps for every onsen you visit – good fortune is said to comes to those who go to all nine.
Stay at Sakaeya ryokan and get cosy beneath a kotatsu.
…before dining on an incredible feast.
In the morning, grab some refreshments from Japan’s famous vending machines…
…play the fool…
…and take a walk through the forest…
…to the famous snow monkey park.
It’s like a little monkey spa.
Take some photos…
…and be delighted by the monkeys…
…but don’t think that you’ll be alone!
Kyoto is up next, the land of temples and shrines.
See Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavillion…
..take a walk through the Fushimi Inari Shrine,
…and catch sunset at Kiyomizu-dera.
When in Kyoto, Japanese tourists love to dress up in traditional costumes…
…and Western tourists love to take photos of them 🙂
This is my kind of philosophy –
..but this was not my kind of snack – I thought it was going to be sweet!
At least I had these instead…
…and this extravagant delight!
If you haven’t had enough temples, then there’s a particularly special one just outside of Kyoto, in a place called Nara.
The temple was built to house a giant bronze Buddha.
It’s a rather impressive sight…
…but I also liked this charismatic guy outside.
Nara has another special feature…
…it’s the only place you’ll ever see a sign like this.
From Nara, there is a beautiful train trip through the mountain valley…
….a place to dream and ponder before you reach a very special destination.
It’s Kōya-san, a sacred mountain, home to Shingon Buddhism and over 100 temples.
We stayed in one, waking early to listen to the monk’s chants…
…dine on shojin-ryori…
… and take a walk through the Buddhist graveyard…
… while marvelling at the ancient trees.
Oh what a trip! We loved every minute!
(Even thought this photo suggests otherwise!) Japan can be hazardous for tall people 🙂
If you think you’d like a similar trip, be sure to read our full Japan itinerary post, which has all the details to help you plan your Japan holiday.
Some other useful Japan posts:
Our 10 days in Japan itinerary
The best hotels in Japan (as chosen by travel bloggers)
Useful Japanese phrases for travel
Things to do in Tokyo with kids
I love the style of this post. I’m always curious about the best way to present photo essays, and I really liked the ongoing story that you presented here. Initially I thought 65 might be too many photos but I was carried along to the end by your quirky, cute and funny comments.
What a beautiful photo essay! I sometimes like to go back and look at my Japan photos because I miss it so much – now I’ll come here too!
Beautiful photos! Japan is such a weird, fun, intriguing place. We went on our honeymoon and I can’t wait to go back with the children. I can image going with kids would take it to a whole new level of interesting.
Awesome!
I love all your photos – I think we wandered around the same grave yard and I have some cool pictures too, although I am yet to share them on my blog. I have recently done a 14 day itinerary though 🙂
Wow, a pleasant trip to Japan. Nice Photo and thanks to Share…
Great way to use photos to tell your story! Love every picture. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I am looking into traveling to Japan soon and came across your blog. Beautiful pictures! thanks for sharing your experiences. What time of year did you visit?
We went mid-December. Have a great time!
I love the photos, they really give the feel of what a trip to Japan can be
Gorgeous photos guys! We went to many of the places you did, just love everything about Japan!
Hi! Your photos are amazing. What kind of camera did you use?
What a great post! I always take so many pictures on my trips – this gave me ideas on how to present them going forward. This made me really excited to take our trip to Japan!!
These are gorgeous!
I love that you included Nara. I used to work in a building that overlooks Todaiji (that massive wooded building that houses the buddha.) It’s always lovely to see it.
You know the charismatic guy, he is meant to cure illnesses. You are meant to touch the statue in the place where you are poorly, and he’ll fix you. 😉
We loved Nara too. So beautiful!
Yeah, images speak louder than words.
Thanks for sharing your story with photos
What great inspiration – your photos are perfection! I LOVE this post and photo essay! I am planning a trip to Japan this summer to celebrate a milestone birthday and am eager to stay in Hakone. Can you provide any suggestions for a Ryokan or Onsen in this area? It’s hard to choose!
Many thanks,
Rachael
Hi Rachael, you might find my full Japan itinerary useful – it has some recommendations for different ryokans and onsens 🙂
https://bridgesandballoons.com/japan-itinerary-10-days/