Japan

It's an incredible feeling being in Tokyo where there are publicly accessible areas that look like something from a different time period. Tokyo castle is a beautiful location to take a walk, and you will see tourists marvelling too, taking photos, and enjoying it as well :)

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 41 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

Everything is so clean in Japan. This photograph encompasses that modern sleek clean aesthetic, which I think looks surreal to some extent

• Aperture: 3.51
• Exposure Time: 1/30 sec.
• F Number: f/7/2
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 3200
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

It was a big surprise that Kanazawa had a market in celebration of the cherry-blossom festivities! There were many people selling handmade and artisinal pottery, chopsticks, kitchenware, souvenirs, and more. They were especially friendly and respectul, and even were happy to have photos taken! I only had a couple thousand yen on-hand. Oops! (Getting more was a whole 'nother story)

• Aperture: 9.11
• Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.
• F Number: f/9
• Focal Length: 21 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

The market really was huge. And many families were out having picnics on the side, enjoying the view of it all happening from up on a hill. Immediately next to the market are the Kanazawa Gardens, which are where you will actually see the Sakuras and probably enjoy a long slow walk

• Aperture: 9.11
• Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.
• F Number: f/9
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

The Sakura Blossom Festival was occuring because at exactly this day they were scheduled to be in full bloom. Unfortunately, we were already quite late in the season and they had bloomed a little bit earlier, but there were still a few trees to enjoy. It was quite common for people to take photos underneath, usually dressed up. The petals are so delicate that when it rains they fall off quite easily. Even a gust of wind will send them fluttering in the wind, which looks awesome

• Aperture: 1.76
• Exposure Time: 1/4000 sec.
• F Number: f/9/5
• Focal Length: 50 mm
• Lens Model: EF50mm f/1.8 STM
• ISO: 800
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

Here you can see a lot more detail on the Sakura flower. There are leaves as well, which create more warmth to the pink by adding some darker oranges and brown tones. I was happy to capture this when the sun could hit it at a good angle for the macro-shot

• Aperture: 2.83
• Exposure Time: 1/4000 sec.
• F Number: f/14/5
• Focal Length: 50 mm
• Lens Model: EF50mm f/1.8 STM
• ISO: 800
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

This building has such a beautiful architecture and sleek design to it. While walking to the district many things were to be seen along the way. Notice how clean everything is! It was so hot. Many days looked like this with the pounding sun and clear blue skies

• Aperture: 9.11
• Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.
• F Number: f/9
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

Yes, the whole district was as magical as this alley. There were so many little shops with things that make for amazing gifts, handmade fabrics, unique cosmetics, tea wares, pottery, and an overall quiet but exciting feeling to the whole area

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 30 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

There was a shrine we stumbled across on our way back from the district. Most shrines are neat, but this one had a lot of greenery and structure to it. The way the sun shines through the trees adds to the effect. It was here where I started to take the time to learn the differences of shrines, temples, and what the meaning is behind them. Overall, there is a lot of respect for both and they really are stunning works of traditional art to see

• Aperture: 4.00
• Exposure Time: 1/30 sec.
• F Number: f/4
• Focal Length: 24 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

Fushimi Inari was definitely a destination. Kyoto has a lot more people in it than Kanazawa, and there were many more tourists here as well. Of course, that comes with a lot more food which was quite a sight to see. I remember this shrine for being totally red and gold, but it was significant because it represents the god of rice, sake, and prosperity in business. Of course it looks impressive then, because many business donated to it! There also, by coincidence, was a school trip here and it was exciting to see the students in their uniforms

• Aperture: 8.00
• Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.
• F Number: f/8
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

These photos were not taken by turning around and shooting another shot. You would go to one place, see some cool things, and then hike up and around Mt. Fushimi for a bit and end up somewhere else, with more shrines and people and plazas. I find the aesthetic so uplifting next to the greenery and dull colors. The shrine is very well maintained

• Aperture: 9.11
• Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.
• F Number: f/9
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

I couldn't contain my excitement seeing so many students in their uniforms. They look so professional and organized! I'm sure they enjoyed the shrine as much as we did. It was interesting to see a different group of students and then notice they had different uniforms on which indicates they came from a different school. Was it a fluke, or do students get to go outside of class and see many historical sights so frequently? It is Kyoto after all

• Aperture: 8.00
• Exposure Time: 1/200 sec.
• F Number: f/8
• Focal Length: 23 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

I've never seen a bamboo forest before! Wow! Look at all the trees! This photo was taken from a walkway with bamboo fences around it which keep tourists outside of the forested area

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

There were so many of these gates. It was hard to get a picture of a tunne like this which didn't have a bunch of people walking through it. This was taken right at mid-day, so there were probably people politely waiting behind me when I took this. But each gate has the name of a person or business on it which donated money to the shrine. It was fun to walk through, but I couldn't help but feel this was the overhyped image of what Japan looks like that you see on the internet. Only fitting that the god of business prosperity has become the face of tourism, I suppose

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

Former palace of the emperor of Japan, this place is unmistakably significant. You can see it from quite far on the street. In general, Kyoto was left intact from WWII and restoration efforts were made to bring it back to its original glory. There are also a lot of laws which force homeowners and businesses to use specific coloring, lighting, and non-obtrusive branding or signage to keep the city looking historically accurate-ish. It is allowed to enter the palace and look around too, but you must take your shoes off. I believe I recall a lot of Buddhist practice being done there now in its place, if I remember right

• Aperture: 6.44
• Exposure Time: 1/125 sec.
• F Number: f/63/10
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

These gardens were a quick 45 second walk from the hotel in Kyoto. Although April is spring and not the best time to visit them, I'm sure the photo speaks for itself that the quality and upkeep of the place make it well worth it. Sure, maybe there weren't as many colors, but placement of everything appears to be deliberate and somehow perfect. Their idea was to use simplicity as a theme, but generally let nature do the work

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

It's just a simple bridge, but doesn't it look nice to walk on? It's important to remember, that this is right in the middle of a city. You can see a concrete structure in the background there. It's literally a place where you walk down the sidewalk, you pay a small fee to get in, and bam perfect place to take someone on a date or relax from the work stress

• Aperture: 5.66
• Exposure Time: 1/80 sec.
• F Number: f/28/5
• Focal Length: 51 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 160
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

The Toji is Buddhist temple iconic for its very tall structure. In the parc area behind it, I was pleased to notice there were gardens and more Sakuras! I find the edges of the rooftop layers to be very satisfying to look at. This thing was seriously huge though. We could see it from reasonably far away

• Aperture: 6.44
• Exposure Time: 1/80 sec.
• F Number: f/63/10
• Focal Length: 55 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 250
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

In this shot the Sakura is in focus with Toji blurred. I somehow imagined this would make a nice framed-photo or wallpaper for a computer

• Aperture: 7.03
• Exposure Time: 1/400 sec.
• F Number: f/71/10
• Focal Length: 50 mm
• Lens Model: EF50mm f/1.8 STM
• ISO: 800
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

Why is this photo rotated the wrong way? I'm not sure how that happened, but beside the Toji temple there was also a shrine which had beautiful colors and overall appearance. It was an extra bonus reward for coming to see the Toji. The orange wood makes me happy. Inside the shrine box is a place for you to put coins into

• Aperture: 7.03
• Exposure Time: 1/400 sec.
• F Number: f/71/10
• Focal Length: 24 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 800
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

I had taken several nighttime photos of the Kyoto streets, but unfortunately didn't ever notice that the exposure was resulting in very blurred useless images. After that, this was the best I could make of it. Oops! But still, Kyoto was so cool to walk around late at night. Many other people would walk right down the center of these streets and they were illuminated by these little orb things that you see on the ground. They have a name I keep forgetting. The orb things would produce warm colored light, which made the night really cozy. I can't express how much more awesome it felt than this one lousy picture I was able to scrape together

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/8 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 39 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 6400
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

• Aperture: 8.00
• Exposure Time: 1/160 sec.
• F Number: f/8
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

• Aperture: 5.66
• Exposure Time: 1/60 sec.
• F Number: f/28/5
• Focal Length: 43 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 400
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

• Aperture: 5.66
• Exposure Time: 1/80 sec.
• F Number: f/28/5
• Focal Length: 53 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 640
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

• Aperture: 6.44
• Exposure Time: 1/100 sec.
• F Number: f/63/10
• Focal Length: 34 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

• Aperture: 4.97
• Exposure Time: 1/80 sec.
• F Number: f/5
• Focal Length: 32 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

• Aperture: 9.93
• Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.
• F Number: f/10
• Focal Length: 18 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i

Mt. Fuji was not only majestic and breathtaking, but also uplifting. While being next to it, your mindset will definitely change. This was taken near Lake Yamanakako, where you can ride a bicycle around the body of water with spontaneous views of the majestic mountain. If you're lucky. Sometimes the fog will leave it hidden, especially in the Spring

• Aperture: 11.31
• Exposure Time: 1/320 sec.
• F Number: f/11
• Focal Length: 36 mm
• Lens Model: EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
• ISO: 100
• Device: Canon Canon EOS REBEL T4i