Back in July I was lucky enough to have short trip to Japan. It was my first time visiting that part of the world, and it was incredible introduction to the place. I have been pondering how to write a blog post, to try and capture the wonder of the trip. I had such new and different experiences that it is hard to put into words. I decided to go with the form of a photographic essay with a bit of information here and there.
We began our journey in Kyoto. A city where the modern and ancient we dotted snugly next to one other. It was a strange harmony of a modern concrete apartment block next to a timber buidlings. We stayed and explored the Nakagyo, Gion and Kiyamachi-dori wards. We also visited the out skirts of the town for the Kyoto walk, an old pilgrimage route that was dotted with temples and shrines. We walked until we could walk anymore.
From Kyoto we journeyed by train, bus and ferry to Noashima, otherwise known as Art Island. We explored the enormous amount of museums, art galleries and art houses across the island via electric bike. The museums visited included; the Art House Project, Benesse House, ChiChu At Museum, and Ando Museum.
From dawn to dusk we road crisscrossing the island. There was so much incredible art, installations and architecture to take in. This is a small selections of images. There was so much more that I wasn’t allowed to photograph, which allowed you to experience it all the more. Whilst there I feel in love with the bouy frogs that were our guides as we explored.
From Noashima we headed back towards Tokyo. But first I had a solo excursion to Kanzawa. Like Kyoto it was a town of new and old. It was known for its incredible gardens, beautifully preserved streets and a wonderful gallery, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
The last stop on the Japan trip was Tokyo. I was quite overwhelmed by the scale of the city. I wasn’t sure where to begin to explore. I decided to hide from the peak summer weather with a focus on museums and art galleries. I began by exploring Ueno Park with the Tokyo Metropolitain Art Musueum and the Tokyo National Musuem, as well as the National Art Centre, as well as heading across town to Mori Gallery.
Now that it has been a couple of months since my visit, I still have not digested all that I saw and experienced. It was an immersion into a different world for 10 days. My trip was full of incredible art, elegant design, delicious food, and wonderfully generous people. There are some art installations, shines and artworks that I am still thinking about. They each had profound impacts on me in vastly different and unique ways. I cannot was to return and experience it all over again.