acosta! Cosplay Ikebukuro
“It’s a little intense isn’t it?” Yeah. No two ways about it. Going to a cosplay event - my first cosplay event - was pretty intimidating. It is both organized, and free to mingle. Nothing like the portrait sessions or motorsport events that I’ve covered in the past. And yet, it was a great way to get out of my comfort zone and see what these dress-up artists had been working on.
Zojoji and Tokyo Tower
Zojoji temple is not often open to the public at night. Sitting at the foothills of Tokyo Tower, it lives in contrast to the new world that has surrounded it. Every now and then, the old and new meet, lit up brilliantly against the backdrop of Roppongi. This June, they celebrated with the Candle Night for a Million People.
Sanno Matsuri
The textures, the costumes, the idols. Asian cultures are experts at paying tribute to the past, to religion, and to tradition. This festival, hosted by the crew of the Hie Shrine, had its main event, the grand parade, through the streets of Tokyo. Police were dispatched, roads were temporarily closed and traffic held at bay for this massive cast.
Art of Hakone
When you drop sculpture all over a landscape, and allow it to exist serenely, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you get Hakone. The red Torii gate, looking out to Lake Ashi, is among the most iconic views in Japan. And somehow, the more modern shapes and forms of the Venetian Glass Museum and Open Air Museum are equally stunning, equally at home here.
Singapore By Night
How can a tree be super? Does it put on a cape, and a ‘S’ to change into a hero? Or is it something more - a monument that shines like a beacon at night. Whatever you call it, these sculptures are definitely the main attraction of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, and they were mesmerizing at night with the backdrop of the Marina Bay Sands hotel.
Singapore By Day
No amount of guidebook reading, or Formula 1 fandom can even come close to the reality of this city state. It is architecturally beautiful and lush, with a new fixture rising around every cover. At the same time, it is swelteringly hot and humid, a constant reminder that you have stepped out of a land with seasons, and into a port city on the edge of the Equator.
Shinjuku Gyoen In Spring
Some photo excursions start out one way, and end another. The cherry blossoms were foretold to bloom in mid-March, brought earlier and earlier by the advent of Global Warming. Yet, as I strode through Shinjuku’s National Garden in search of that coveted Japanese subject, there was little to be found, so inspiration was sought elsewhere in the trees.
Switching to Nikon
In 2005, I purchased my first digital SLR camera. It was a Canon, and from then on I was a loyal fan, acquiring more lenses and camera bodies as my skill and professional career advanced. Fast forward to 2024, and the world has changed. Mirrorless is now the future, and it was time to decide if I would stay with Canon, or move to something new. (Spoiler: I switched to Nikon)
Taiwanese Tea from Farm to Cup
Where does tea come from? That all depends on the type of tea, and the country of origin. For Taiwan, a country that is about two-thirds mountainous, the answer lies on the slopes. Here farmers cultivate soil that is rich, and harvest from bushes that are breathing in clear, humid air from a higher altitude.
Taipei 101 Observatory
Not only is the Taipei 101 building the central jewel of its metropolis - featuring a grand mall, restaurants, and offices - it also hosts multiple observation levels to look out over the city. There is an unobstructed walking path that allows for 360-degree views, and the organizers didn’t stop there in providing things for visitors to do and see.
Yamanakako Ice Candles Festival
Ice molds are, both literally and figuratively, cool. Put a couple thousand of these in a field with candles inside, and you’ve got the makings of a great winter festival. This was the scene at Lake Yamanaka, one of the most scenic areas that surrounds Mt. Fuji.
Kusatsu Onsen
Strikingly simple, strikingly charming, and with a natural musk that my sinuses will never forget. Yes, this town is graced with an overwhelming presence of sulfur from the volcanic outflow that the water draws its heat from. And it was here, at the town’s center called the Yubatake, that all the action happened.
Tokyo Mobility Show 2023
There were arguably two debuts this year that caused the biggest interest among sports car fans: the Nissan Hyper Force concept, and the Mazda ICONIC SP concept. Will we see a new GT-R and a rebirth of the RX line in production one day? Time will tell, but one thing is clear: there is a lot of excitement at the prospect of each.
Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kyoto is an incredible city, filled with culture, heritage, and beauty. Many of the experiences are interactive, walking through a pathway of gates or washing your hands in purified water. Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is all about the eyes. It is stunning in every sense of the word, and holds its allure year after year without ever aging or decaying.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Arashiyama is one of those gems, like many in Kyoto, that is forever stuck in time. Natural and historic, the bamboo trees stretch up for what seems like miles, obscuring the rest of society from your mind. While the grove is much smaller than the forest name might suggest, it is always worth the visit.
teamlab Planets Tokyo
Immersive art is a relatively new concept. Projections, fog, natural elements, the play of light and shadow in a space all flowing together. teamLab understands this better than perhaps any other traditional museum, and their installations offer a different experience, if you’re brave enough to venture through it.
Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
Some things in life are universal. The smell of the sea air, the wind in your hair. And, apparently watching dolphins perform stunts on a hot summer day. Whether in America or Japan, this aquarium and theme park ticked all the right boxes for a family outing.
Meiji Jingu
They say the journey is more important than the destination. If you are coming to Meiji Jingu looking for a multi-story pagoda, or a lavish main building, you may be disappointed. This spiritual experience is a literal walk in the park, past wooden massive gates and into the forest grounds. Take your time, bring your most comfortable shoes, and explore with no end in sight.
Landmark Tower Sky Garden
Many observation decks have 360-degree panoramic views, but not all of those experiences are fulfilling. The 69th floor (nice) of the Landmark Tower is one of those that is definitely worth it in so many ways. Unlike Tokyo Tower and Skytree, this highlight of Yokohama’s skyline is all about serenity, capped off with stunning views of Mt. Fuji.
Sensoji Temple & Asakusa
It was cold, and warm, and fragrant on the December afternoon that I visited this wonderful temple and its surrounding district. For all the bustling, modern, developed metropolis that Tokyo is, there are still pockets of history that feel untouched. This one remains a gem in that sense, and its atmosphere was something to behold even as COVID’s shadow lingered in the background.