Tag Archives: Japan

Silence, Japanese gardens and peacocks.

Posted on February 28, 2016 by

I love Saturday mornings. Quoting freely from Stephen King, they have an air of unexpressed potential, something close to the first day of the summer school holidays: the working week is just gone and all that unfolds ahead is two … Continue reading →

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Neon wilderness

Posted on January 20, 2016 by

Sometimes, when you spend a lengthy period of time exclusively with one person, you start developing your own language, made of jokes and references that only you two, thanks to your common experience, can understand. This was the case of … Continue reading →

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As the sun sets over the capital.

Posted on January 7, 2016 by

Unless you are a diehard fan of “Lost in Translation” – and, let’s be clear, I am not – there are a few reasons to visit Shinjuku. Skyscrapers can be found in strangest shapes in Odaiba or Shimbashi; neon lights … Continue reading →

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Before I move on: fragments of Kyoto.

Posted on January 1, 2016 by

New Year’s Eve, at the office, is a quiet one. For a starter, only half of the people who usually crowd the open space actually bothers to turn up, giving the place a library-like atmosphere which, personally, I like a … Continue reading →

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A door on a side street.

Posted on December 26, 2015 by

Kyoto is a grid-like maze, bewildering at first but easy to navigate once one gets his bearings. This means, in other words, sticking to the network of larger roads, those major arteries that, by bisecting each other, channel traffic and people from … Continue reading →

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The sacred and the profane, or an afternoon at Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Posted on December 20, 2015 by

The Japanese approach to religion sounds odd and unfamiliar to those, like yours truly, grown up in the shadow of the clear-cut divisions operated by monotheistic cults. Folks, over here in the archipelago, can be Shinto, and Buddhist, at the same … Continue reading →

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People of Kyoto.

Posted on December 15, 2015 by

I feel like I’m somehow developing my photographic skills, probably more through chance or happy coincidence than by actual will. Kyoto offered some great – at least in my opinion – chances for people photo taking, and I’m quite happy … Continue reading →

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Haneda Airport.

Posted on December 12, 2015 by

Our flight arrived at 07:30, and our connection was delayed until 11.30. Normally this would’ve entailed heated conversations, stress and accusations, but this was Japan. A bow, a sincere apology, a quick service recovery and we were on our way, … Continue reading →

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Postcards from Tokyo

Posted on October 25, 2014 by

“…we’ll wait a little for a signal to turn green before entering Earl’s Court station, apologies for the inconvenience” the voice on the tannoy said to a chorus of groans, moans and a choreography of rolling eyes. Framed in a … Continue reading →

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An ode to Kyoto part 3. Faith.

Posted on July 12, 2014 by

Almost exactly five years ago a friend and a younger, happier and more idealistic version of myself visited Japan, spending 10 days in Kyoto. I have since come back twice to the archipelago, but never to Kyoto. These are my … Continue reading →

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