It was a dream. My life-long dream. Springtime in Japan — cherry blossoms in bloom, centuries-old temples, little streets full of surprises. Two packed weeks through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and a quick getaway to Miyajima.
Here are six moments I never want to forget.
1. Yasukuni, Tokyo – The Cherry Blossoms
The first shock. Not the jet lag — the moment of standing there, in the peaceful grounds of Yasukuni Jinja, right in the heart of Tokyo, as the cherry trees were in full bloom. Everything was pink, soft, silent. We stayed for a while in that idyllic setting I had imagined so many times, finally seeing it for real.
It was simple, beautiful, serene. Tokyo, at its calmest.
2. Picnic in Sumida Park, Tokyo
A quick stop at a konbini (Japan’s version of a corner store), then off to this beautiful park, also filled with blooming sakuras. The sun was shining, bikes were gliding by slowly, and locals were enjoying the moment too. No need to overcomplicate things: a few onigiri, some green tea, and that feeling of being perfectly content. One of those pauses that remind you: yes, we really are there.
3. Kyoto – The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)
You’ve seen it in a thousand pictures. But in person, it’s something else. The golden pavilion, floating above the water like a postcard. It’s beautiful, peaceful, almost unreal… A timeless moment, made even better by matcha ice cream with that unmistakable flavor. Kyoto — an instant favorite.
4. Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto
A temple perched on the hillside, offering sweeping views of the city — even more breathtaking by night. It was this second visit to Kiyomizu-dera that truly captivated me: the lights and shapes, the powerful sense of tradition you can feel in every detail.
5. Kyoto – Fukakusa Yabunouchicho
We woke up at dawn that morning to visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, with its hundreds of red torii gates — you know, those iconic archways you walk through. One of the most memorable places of the trip. I loved wandering there. Also fell in love with the narrow backstreets, the stylish locals, the passionate chefs.
6. Miyajima – The Floating Torii and the Trails
We took a ferry to this magical stop… The island had a peaceful, grounded feeling. The grand floating torii, even at low tide, was awe-inspiring. We wandered the streets, watched the roaming deer, took our time.
After this beautiful detour, we made a moving stop in Hiroshima before returning to Tokyo to wrap up our stay.
Japan is impossible to sum up — it’s a country overflowing with culture, architecture, fashion, food, landscapes (and of course, stationery!).
That’s why sharing these special moments felt like the best way to convey a little of that unique balance between tradition and modernity, energy and stillness — the essence of the Land of the Rising Sun.