Osaka

Kyoto

TeamLab Planets

Another highlight of my trip was to a museum called TeamLab Planets.  TeamLab is a digital art company with multiple locations around the world.  Very out of the box and modern take on a museum.  The very beginning, we took our shoes off and walked up a ramp with flowing water.  Then we "walked" through a room that was one big beanbag.  This I found challenging.  Then we went into a room with thousands of lights hanging from the ceiling.  This was also an interactive museum, by downloading their app, you can add art yourself.  The floor was mirrored so the whole room was just magical.  Then we walked through a room with about two feet of water in it, making it seem like there were fishes swimming around us.  Then the helium balloon room and the last room which was almost like being in a planetarium.  Projected images moving over the ceiling and walls, made it difficult to walk, so we laid down and just looked up which was probably the point.  Very relaxing.  This museum is a must in my opinion, look up their website to find a location!

More Japan Photos

The next few photos are from our day trip to Hakone.  A mountain range outside of Tokyo.  Most breath taking views I've ever experienced.  Being up the in clouds felt lightweight and childlike.  After being on top of the mountain, we took a short cruise around the river with more amazing sites.  This was a highlight of my trip and some of my best photos were from Hakone.  I also got to use my pinhole cap, guess which photo it is...

JAPAN!

Thanks to EF College Break, I was able to travel to Japan with a student group.  Not sure what I loved more, traveling with a group of people who have similar interests or the country itself.  But together makes the perfect trip!  This was one of the best things I've ever done and by far the best trip I've ever taken!  Japan is a stunning country with fantastic views and even better humans.  First stop was Tokyo. It was hard to imagine something more insane than NYC but Tokyo takes the cake and I'm eating it.  Extremely vibrate city with always something to do. We saw a few shrines and temples but also got to see the modern take on this megacity.  I loved every bit of it, the vending machines, the politeness, the cleanliness, the toilets, even the public transportation.  After a couple days in Tokyo, just as I was almost getting my whereabouts, we took a bullet train to Kyoto.  A much smaller city that shows off the more historic side of Japan.  We spent two nights there seeing the traditional side of Japan.  We had my favorite meal in Kyoto, some pancake type of food with some kind of meat inside.  Not exactly sure what it was but it surprised me.  We also went Geisha hunting one night but only saw one and finally got to see the Bamboo Forest in person.  Then off to our third and final city, Osaka.  Japan's Second largest city quickly became my favorite of the three.  We saw the Osaka Castle, then explored the Osaka Train Station area which looked like a futuristic blue print but in person.  With stunning architecture and views from the top, became a highlight of the trip.  Our last night of the trip was spent at one of Osaka's most popular spots, Dotonbori.  An area with endless stores, restaurants, bars and clubs, all along a beautiful river.  When we got back to the hotel, we went to the onsen, a hot spring inside the hotel.  Great way to end a very memorable week in Japan.  It takes a lot for me to want to return somewhere as it may affect me visiting someplace new but Japan was that amazing, I have to return.  Hopefully sooner rather than later.  Japan is a must in my opinion, everyone should visit, you'll instantly fall in love as I did in one short week.  Thanks so much for EF College Break for this amazing trip and thanks to both our tour guides, Mari and Akira. And I can't forget to mention all of our pikachu drivers of pikachu bus!  Not sure how many we had but all were awesome so thank you!  My photos don't do the country or my time there justice but enjoy them anyway!