It’s not really come as a surprise to me as I have heard so many people’s stories of how Japan is marvellous.
So I am really pleased to report that I totally concur, in fact there is so much I like about Japan, I’m not sure where to start.
I was there for just two weeks and every moment of every day was a joy, from the most mundane things right through to the most important and significant are just so good.
In corner shops you can withdraw money, buy socks, or a white shirt, delicious tangy sweets, or chocolate coated macadamia nuts. Half a bottle of white wine in a bottle-shaped can for £1.95! All manner of snacks, treats and drinks all new and wonderfully surprising.
I am glad to have experienced the calm meditative space of a Buddhist temple prayer led by a monk, whilst sitting on tatami mats. Even for non-believers it’s a deeply moving experience, a chance to meditate and understand how lucky we are.
Japan – for a visitor, is an incredible safe place, I have wandered the streets at night with my camera, taking photos and not once felt in the slightest bit anxious or out of place.
I have travelled here with a group of amateur photographers, guided by two tutors who are ready and willing and expert at advising on settings and opportunities. As well as leading us to the most amazing places, organising transport, tickets, hotels, everything.
We visited a tiny family run Sake factory to taste their wares and see the extraordinary equipment dating from more than 50 years ago. And we’ve been to the tech area of Tokyo to buy the latest gadgets. We’ve had hot baths in the open, with expansive views, eaten banquets whilst seated cross legged on tatami mats and sipped cocktails in a bar on the 34th floor overlooking Tokyo.
The food is extraordinary and of such incredibly good quality and freshness, lots of raw fish and pickled plums and rare beef, bean curd, edible flowers, all sorts of new flavours. And plenty of Japanese beer and Sake.
So much more to tell but here are some photos to suggest some of the wonder of Japan.
Makers marks in the huge stones of the ramparts in the Imperial Palace GardenA screen in a first floor dining room in Kyoto, bamboo mesh with a delicate carved wood surroundNoren were originally used to protect a house from wind, dust, and rain, as well as to keep a house warm on cold days and to provide shade on hot summer days.They can also be used for decorative purposes or for dividing a room into two separate spaces.Ancient pine woods in the mountains near HakoneDining rooms in Kyoto are often protected by wood and paper screens. So tempting to peek in!Bamboo woods outside the perimeter of an elaborate garden full of bonsai, streams, raked gravel and perfect traditional wooden houses.A great exanmple of a wood panel on an old house in the Edo district of Tokyo, the wood would have been flamed to remove the softer less waterproof areas, leaving a long lasting weatherproof finish. Traditionally called Shou-sugi-banI came across a carpenter working on some large trunks of wood, I asked him what he was makig, he took some spare wood and a red felt-tipped pen and drew this, its a traditional temple gateway.Exterior walls of traditional houses are often covered with split bamboo panelling as a way of weatherproofing.Take a large diameter bamboo pole and split it in many sections along its length, flatten it out and nail it to a wall, so simple but probably requires great skill.The inclined roadway outside our hotel in Shibuya district in Tokyo, I think it is concrete poured in situ and moulded with these indented circles to afford grip in icy or wet weather.Bamboo fencing around an ornamental gardenNarrow lengths of bamboo latticed together to form a screen within a restaurant.The oldest temple in Kyoto dates back to the Chinese influenced style. This wooden handrail has been worn away by the people coming to pray.Everyone lights a length of incense to leave in the sand tray outside the main entrance to the temple.We visited a great many stations in transit during our time in Tokyo, so I can’t recall which one this is but it perfectly captures the speed of commuters and great design so often seen in the vast transport network.
Enjoyed these so much, Sally! You have shown me a Wakelin version of Japan that I like. (I was in Japan last year (Tokyo, Kyoto, Gero, Sado Island) and had a wondrous time.)
Thanks Marly- how lovely to hear from you. Japan is certainly a lovely place to visit, my trip was quite short and not necessarily the places I wanted to go but we were looked after really well and a super group of people. I would love to go again . . .
Sally Wakelin - Studies in Creativity 
Wonderful photographs and descriptions, Sally.
Thanks Clive! 😏
Enjoyed these so much, Sally! You have shown me a Wakelin version of Japan that I like. (I was in Japan last year (Tokyo, Kyoto, Gero, Sado Island) and had a wondrous time.)
Thanks Marly- how lovely to hear from you. Japan is certainly a lovely place to visit, my trip was quite short and not necessarily the places I wanted to go but we were looked after really well and a super group of people. I would love to go again . . .