Helloooo, I’m baaaaack! 🙂
I’ve been back since last week and getting back into reading blogs a bit here and there… it’s always a challenge to get back into blogging for some reason. I think it’s about routine. Having 2 weeks of unstructured time really makes it difficult to follow a schedule again.
Anyway, this post is about my trip! I debated about the level of detail to include about my Japan trip – this isn’t a travel blog and I’m no travel writer. So I’ll devote a few posts to the trip itself: today will be an overview of where we visited with photos. I’ll do another post on random stuff like food and cultural stuff. Then, the MAKEUP!!! 😀 😀 😀
We started our trip out with a 5 day stay in Tokyo:
Then we headed out of Tokyo, first to Nagano, then to Kanazawa, then Kyoto and finally back to Tokyo.
What I loved about Japan was the mix of modern with the traditional. My personal favourite was the short stay in Nagano: both the Matsumoto Castle and our overnight at the ryokan were highlights of the trip for me. I also really enjoyed Kyoto – the city of a thousand temples! Thanks to everyone who followed me on Instagram and Twitter while I was away – I hope you enjoyed looking at a snippet of the sights I saw in Japan. There’s so much to explore there – I can’t wait to go back! ❤
These photos are beautiful, everything looks so clean and fresh (not that I thought it would be dirty but ya know what I mean!) Sounds like you had the best time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I understand what you mean. It is quite clean considering the population density! The trip was amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear it! Can’t wait to read your makeup rested posts too 🙂
LikeLike
Welcome back! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks amazing. Loved your photos. Japan is on my wish list x
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was on my wish list for ages and I’m so happy to have finally gone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks amazing. I love the mix of old and new too. I think that’s what I find fascinating about Japan. Well that and a lot more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan looks beautiful! I have always wanted to go, sounds so good! Looking forward to seeing your makeup picks and what you thought on the food cause I can imagine their food is pretty damn good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Japan is a beautiful country – Canada is such a young country, we don’t have historic buildings like they have. We love seeing all of the cultural aspects of the various places we visited too. Tokyo is so different compared to Kyoto and other smaller cities. I’m busily editing those posts – I bought a lot of makeup lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, it looks so gorgeous and rich in culture! It would be so interesting to explore the cities particularly Tokyo! Haha looking forward to reading them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh lovely photos! One day we’ll go I’m sure – I agree with Chanelle, it all does look really clean and everything looks so well kept! Kenroku-en Garden looks beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We saw a lot of workers busy with tidying or keeping things in order everywhere we went. It is pretty amazing how dense the population is, but everything is maintained very clean and orderly.
Kenroku-en Garden is touted as one of 3 top traditional gardens in all of Japan! It has a very historical feel to it – some of the trees are hundreds of years old, and the garden also contains Japan’s oldest fountain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos! Looking forward to your posts about Japanese food and makeup :).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m working on the other posts – my productivity is pretty low since coming back from vacay. Funny how that happens! 😛
LikeLike
Again, welcome back. 🙂
The photos are amazing! Wow! I can’t believe how much you’ve actually seen and done. What a wonderful time you must have had!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! 🙂
We did a lot of research and stuck to our itinerary as much as possible. In fact, we condensed some of the days and that’s how we were left with an extra “free” day so that’s why we went to Disneyland!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You were able to hit up so many great destinations! Very jealous! 😀 I’d love to hit up the aquarium, too.
Welcome back to boring ol’ Toronto.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, Toronto isn’t boring, it’s just… lacking in stuff! 😉 I was amazed when I looked back at photos, just how much we managed to see in our stay there. But there’s still SO much more to see!
We love visiting aquariums at every place we visit – I much prefer aquariums to zoos for some reason.
LikeLike
this is beautiful. i really want to go to japan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been on my list to go for ages! So happy I finally went, and now I want to go back!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay welcome back! And your photos are amazing!!!!! I was so excited to see Gundam (LOL) we used to watch it when we were kids back home.. One of my fave japanime’ series back then.. I’ve heard so much about Omicho Fish Market.. Lot’s of Filipino celebrities go there and feature that market due to the quality, cost and kinds of seafood you can find.. Also, I was hoping you’re able to drop by Hochiko Statue which I’m sure you’ve heard of him.. (Just an amazing story).. And again awesome post! Can’t wait to see more..😍😍😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It is nice to be back home in my own bed etc.
When I saw that giant Gundam statue, I asked my SO if that was like Transformers and he shook his head at me, lol!
I’d never heard of the Omicho Market before! We literally stumbled on it when we were walking to another attraction. But we’re so glad we found it!
My SO saw the Hachiko statue (and stuffed animals of him are sold everywhere in Shibuya) – I didn’t because I wasn’t feeling well that day so he was fetching me some food! Next time we go back I will take a picture!
LikeLike
Ohh!! Haha what’s funny is that my hubby and I always talk about old cartoons and japan anime’s and Gundam is always part of that convo.. Japanime is very popular back home (ofcourse-we’re close to Japan..duhh). But you’ve been to a lot of places there which is amazing! And Yeah.. There’s no place like home for sure! Hehe
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could look at photos of Japan all day. Can’t wait to see more from Tokyo Disneyland!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope I won’t disappoint you with my Tokyo Disneyland experience – I was unfortunately sick that day so I didn’t take full advantage of the park / rides. But it was a fun day overall! We had the most perfect weather.
LikeLike
Oh I know. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome Back! These pictures are amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I miss Japan already….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome back sweetie! Your beautiful photos just remind me how much I want to visit one day! Planning to try to make it to Toyko and Kyoto next time
I visit HK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you must do a side trip! I must confess, I was in Japan years ago but only spent time in the Narita airport when I was connecting from a flight in Hong Kong! 😛
LikeLike
Wow! Amazing! Every picture is so beautiful, hopefully someday I’ll get to see it for myself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is such a beautiful place – I hope you plan a trip there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yay, Japan post! Amazing pictures…the ones of Miraikan and the gardens are stunning.
I have to agree with you, it’s so cool how there’s such a big contrast between the modern and the traditional, as well as technology and nature. You’d never see that in a country like Canada, which is essentially still a baby in terms of history!
Heh, every time my fiance and I go on vacation, we always have to visit the local aquarium. We joke that we should start an aquarium blog! 😛
Can’t wait for Disneyland post, and of course, your haul! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Miraikan is such an interesting take on what I think of as a “science centre”. They had this creepy android that was a child, and she read out news headlines. So. ODD. But the showcase of the place was that giant globe – it showed what would happen to the planet if a catastrophe struck like an asteroid.
So funny, we visit all the aquariums too! I have soooo many pictures of the aquarium but I won’t bore everyone. 😛 I can email you some pictures separately!
It’s so true – Canada is so YOUNG – we have none of these old OLD sites like they do in Japan. It was incredible to me to think I was touching the original walls and railings of something built hundreds of years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that globe sounds awesome! Would be really interesting to see what would happen to the world in the car off a catastrophe.
Bahaha, yes, please email me with your aquarium pictures! We came home from our trip and I was like “uhhhhm I may have taken 100 pictures just of jellyfish and sea stars at Ripley’s Aquarium and the Biodome” 😆
Indeed! I’m sure they do refurbishments, but it’s still astounding how they have managed to keep all of the historical sites in such tip top shape (at least that’s how it comes across in your pictures!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures! It looks like you had a fantastic time! I enjoyed following your travels on instagram so I’m even more enjoying seeing your photos on your blog! Can’t wait for more Japan posts!! It’s definitely on my travel bucket list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan is such an interesting place, I hope I do it justice in my photos and descriptions! You’d love all the makeup shopping there. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome back! I hear you on trying to get back into blogging, I was only gone for a week but I’m really struggling to get back into a “routine”…not that I had much of one before. Haha.
Your pictures are stunning! It looks like you had an amazing trip, everything is so colourful! What did you use to take all your pictures?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I took the pictures on a point and shoot – nothing fancy! The model is Canon Powershot SX610. 🙂
And yes, the trip was amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous xxxxxxxxxxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You need to visit! And not just in the airport! 😛
LikeLiked by 1 person
YESSSSSSSSS i do xxxxx and your photography should be in a book miss Stashy – Gorgeous to the max
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww thanks! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing snaps and my eyes were drooling non stop to really watch these awesome captures and I’m sure, you had the best time ever over there. Have a wonderful week ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Yes, I had the trip of a lifetime for sure! And now I can’t wait to go back! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds good
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful pictures! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I love taking pictures so I can enjoy for years to come and re-live the trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww! I HAVE to put this on my bucket list!!! I think it’s so fun how they converted your room. Were those beds comfortable!? They look so thin! I love how colorful everything is too. I really expected a HUGE New York City but Japan is really pretty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes you HAVE to go to Japan! Parts of Tokyo is like NYC but there are so many parks and historical buildings too. It’s amazing and unique, for sure!
The beds on the floor were surprisingly comfortable! (yes, they’re super thin, not mattresses, more like a blanket) We both slept so soundly that night. The bamboo floor / mats help a lot, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow! I am so jealous! Living vicariously through you right now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan has been on my wish list of places to visit for ages now – so happy that I finally went!
LikeLike
Looks Like you had an amazing time in Japan! Will be waiting for the makeup and food posts 😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the trip was amazing! I posted pictures of food today and I’ll post the makeup haul on Friday! 😀
LikeLike
Major travel envy! Jay x
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have to go one day! It’s such an interesting country. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such amazing and awesome pictures Stash! You’re so lucky! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! 🙂 We also had such good weather, it made for a fuss-free trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s always great! 🙂
LikeLike
You’re back!!!! 😀😀😀 with some amazing pictures as well! Looks like you had an incredible trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I’m back! I miss Japan already hehe… I wonder if I could live there for a short time, like a year? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You could probably make it happen….anythings possible 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your photos are stunning, they could easily have been from a magazine or a travel blog. I particularly love the photos of the gardens and the temples. And the castles. The architecture in Japan just seems so incredible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I just loved visiting places that are so different than what we have here. I highly recommend people to visit Japan to experience it first hand!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks like such a cool trip! Japan seems to be very diverse!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan is such a neat place – so much history yet so forward looking with technology.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Their gardens are so picturesque! Lovely pictures Stashy!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, those gardens were so lovely to stroll through, I felt like I was in a storybook! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow such beautiful pictures!! Looks like you’ve had a fantastic trip and enjoyed your time off! 🙂
I also saw you came back with lots of new makeup!! Must have been amazing to see how different everything is in Japan. By the way, such funny and cute packaging they’ve got over there! Curious to know if you like the quality of the products?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, the trip was amazing!
It really was incredible to see all the new (to me) Japanese brands and products.
Yes, the quality of Japanese products are very good! They’re not crazy high pigment but the product formulation is very fine so they blend well into the skin. 😊
LikeLike