Completed journey

Japan · 2026

Japan was a long loop by rail: Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Tokyo, and the lakes under Mount Fuji. It ended, unexpectedly, with a layover in Rome on the way home.

Osaka · Nara · Kyoto · Tokyo · Fuji

RailCityFujiRome

After Osaka and Nara, Kyoto slowed things down: the bamboo paths of Arashiyama, a good bowl of ramen, and a detour to the Nintendo Museum just outside the city.

Adir walking through a towering bamboo grove — Walking through the bamboo at Arashiyama.

The bamboo grove path at Arashiyama — The Arashiyama bamboo path, busy as ever.

A bowl of ramen with gyoza on the side — Ramen and gyoza in Kyoto.

The Nintendo Museum entrance — The Nintendo Museum, just outside Kyoto.

Giant plush Wii and N64 controllers at the Nintendo Museum — Giant plush Wii and N64 controllers from the museum gift shop.

Then Tokyo: fast, loud, and easy to love. Tokyo Tower up close, and a written wish left at a shrine.

Adir below the orange lattice of Tokyo Tower — Under the orange lattice of Tokyo Tower.

Adir holding a written wish envelope at a shrine in Tokyo — A written wish at a Tokyo shrine.

Out to Mount Fuji: the little Fujikyu line, a clear day by Lake Kawaguchi, and the Chureito pagoda above the blossoms.

Waiting on the platform for the Fujikyu line.

Adir at a lakeside with Mount Fuji behind him — A clear day across Lake Kawaguchi from Mount Fuji.

The Chureito pagoda framed by cherry blossoms — The Chureito pagoda, framed by cherry blossoms.

The flight home routed through Rome, so the trip ended at the Colosseum at golden hour, an unplanned last chapter.

Adir in front of the Colosseum in Rome at golden hour — Golden hour at the Colosseum, Rome.

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