From Tokyo to Osaka-My Wild Journey Traveling Across Japan

We decided to visit Japan during the middle of my residency during the Christmas holidays. I knew I was in for an experience of a lifetime as I obsessively watched youtube travel vlogs of Japan a few weeks leading up to our trip. We thought carefully how we wanted to plan this trip and how much we wanted to cover. There are infinite experiences in Japan and without a doubt, I can say it would take a lifetime to experience all the beauty it has to offer. However, for our 12 days there, we optimized creating an efficient itinerary that covered an incredible range of experiences through the cities of Tokyo, Nagano, Fuji, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Rather than writing about our trip details, I want to share (through photography) the unique experiences we had in each of these places and surrounding areas that left me awestruck at Japan and how special this Island is. At the end of this post, I will also tag some amazing vegetarian friendly local food spots we ate at throughout out trip(special shout out to vegan T's Tantan which was THE absolute best!!).

1. Crossing with thousands in Shibuya

2. Admiring the most "real looking" fake food art

3. Exploring Tokyo Fashion

4. Unleashing all our senses in Akhihabra- Anime and electronics central

5. Visiting a Japanese Maid Cafe

6. Misogi (Purification) and visiting beautiful shrines

7. Shopping for Japanese Knives

8. Trying Japanese Tea

9. Getting Lost at MORI Digital Art Museum, Tokyo

10. Staying at a traditional Japanese Ryokan in Fuji!

11. Seeing the Majestic Mt. Fuji on a clear day

12. Hiking in the snow to see Japanese snow monkeys bathing in hot springs

13. Admiring Kinkaku-ji, a Zen temple covered in Gold!

14. Viewing the infinitely long bamboo groves in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan

15. Climbing toward thousands of bright orange Tori Gates up the sacred Mount Inari

16. Experiencing a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner (and vegetarian!)

17. Impromptu trip to Himeji Castle on our way to Hiroshima via Shinkansen

18. Learning about Hiroshima in Hiroshima

19. Communicating with the "messengers of God" - the beautiful and intelligent deer at the famous Nara deer Park

20. Ending our Japan journey in Osaka, the second largest city in Japan and visiting the enchanting Osaka Castle on our last day