|
Japan Trip Series, Part 7  Nara is just a single train ride from Dotonbori in Osaka and offers a lot in a compact area: Relatively tame deer (you’ll notice many stores use sliding doors instead of automatic ones, likely because of them), a large and walkable park, a rewarding hike with views from Mount Wakakusa, and the architectural and cultural weight of Tōdai-ji.
Nara park spans about 660 hectares and is known for its free-roaming deer and concentration of historic sites.
How does a deer sound? Watch the videos above to find out. I spent some time there, took in the atmosphere, then continued on to Mount Wakakusa.
At the top, there were wide views over Nara, open sky, and deer moving across the hillside. It was windier up there, with autumn colours starting to come through. Definitely worth it. Practical Note: Use the washroom lower down in Nara Park before starting the hike. Many public toilets in Japanese parks do not have soap, and paper towels or hand dryers are uncommon. Bring hand sanitizer, and a small hand towel if that is your preference. Back down the mountain, my route led me through the Nandaimon Gate, the main southern entrance to Tōdai-ji. Inside are the large wooden Niō guardian statues, each over 8 metres tall and carved in the 13th century. They are imposing and full of motion, even at rest.
From there, I continued into Tōdai-ji.The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world and houses the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a massive bronze Vairocana Buddha. The current structure dates to the Edo period, after earlier fires destroyed previous versions. Inside, it is the scale that stands out first, then the detail. Massive space, heavy timber, and aged surfaces, with historic statues that reward a closer look. Nara works especially well as a day trip from Osaka. A spacious park, approachable wildlife, a short but rewarding hike with wide views, an imposing gate, and a monumental temple. That is a lot of awesome in a small area. Enjoy the park. Then keep going.All photos and videos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.
0 Comments
Japan Trip Series, Part 6 Osaka’s Dotonbori District is peak city energy. Neon lights, canal walks, constant movement, and an absurd amount of food and shopping packed into a compact area. This is part 6 of my Japan Trip Series and in this post I’ll be focusing on Dotonbori specifically. It’s a place that’s most alive after dark, efficient in the morning, and incredibly well connected for day trips.  Where I Stayed: Dotonbori Hotel (the one with the giant heads)I stayed at the Dotonbori Hotel, recognizable immediately by the giant sculpted heads out front. The location is excellent. It’s close to the canal, surrounded by shopping, and near easy transit connections. I was only there for two nights, with a day trip to Nara sandwiched in the middle, so I unfortunately did not get to take advantage of everything the hotel offers. Rooms are small but very efficient, with everything you need.
The hotel offers an impressive range of complimentary amenities. There are massage chairs in the lobby, free soft drinks and alcohol, complimentary cup noodles, and drawers of amenities and toiletries (e.g. lotion, combs, shavers, toothbrush kits, shower caps). Cultural experiences and small events are occasionally hosted in the lobby as well. I unfortunately didn’t have time to try the massage chairs or attend any of the cultural activities, but they add to the sense that the hotel is trying to provide more than just a place to sleep. I plan to make better use of these offerings the next time I stay here.  Dotonbori at Night: Neon, Crowds, and the Greatest HitsEven if you’re not aiming to do anything specific, Dotonbori becomes a destination by default. You end up walking it multiple times because it’s the connective tissue between so many places. Nighttime highlights include: The Glico Running Man. This area is packed in the evening. The neon lights and iconic 3D signs that deliver that futuristic big city feel people travel to Japan to experience. The canal and bridges, which create natural pause points where the city becomes a moving diorama. Be aware that evenings are busy. Not “avoid at all costs” busy, more like “move with the flow and don’t expect empty photos” busy. Shopping: Surprisingly Great for Figures and Nerd Finds
Food: Endless Choices, Great Prices, and Satisfying
Why Dotonbori Works as a BaseDotonbori isn’t just a fun neighbourhood. It’s strategic and practical.
In other words, Dotonbori is a stellar base. It’s a great place to sleep, a great place to explore, a great place to shop, a great place to eat, and a great place to start from when heading out for a day trip or moving on to your next major destination.  If you are planning to visit Dotonbori, here is a practical checklist
Next up in part 7: A day trip to Nara, home to ancient temples, the Great Buddha, and the famously assertive deer of Nara Park. All photos and videos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.
Japan Trip Series, Part 5 
First: What these monkeys are. The park identifies them as Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata), an endemic species in Japan. They’re also described as “snow monkeys”, and the signs note they live in the northernmost monkey habitat in the world.
Then there’s the park’s relationship with the troop. Since the park was established at Iwatayama, staff have been feeding wild monkeys so they stay in the area and can be observed. The signs also note that, generally, there are about 30–50 monkeys in a group in the wild, and in this park you can find around 120 monkeys.
Those numbers quietly recalibrate how you see them. They’re not tiny. They’re not pets. They’re compact, muscular, fast, and fully built for their environment.
Diet-wise, the park describes them as omnivores, but specifically notes they don’t catch other mammals to eat. They like fruit and leaves, and eat insects in summer. It is also noted other wild animals share their habitat, including deer, birds, and boars.
Note: All photos and videos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.
Japan Trip Series, Part 4 Part 3 ended with rain, bamboo, and the Katsura River… and the promise of monkeys next. Now it’s monkey time!  The Arashiyama Monkey Park (Iwatayama) is a great attraction and a solid short workout. The summit rest area (i.e. where you’ll see most of the monkeys) is about a 15-minute hike from the entrance, with over 100 metres of elevation gain. Don’t let the climb scare you off. This place is worth it, especially if you come from somewhere where monkeys are not a normal part of daily life (‘Hello’ from Manitoba, Canada). The troop (yes, that’s the official term for a group of monkeys) at the summit is the kind of wildlife encounter that lands right in the sweet spot between awe and adrenaline. Some monkeys were cute. Some were chill. Some were a bit hardcore, but mostly with each other. I didn’t see any aggression toward humans, and the staff shut down monkey-on-monkey conflict pretty fast. Watching them move through their own social gravity—unbothered, watchful, occasionally intense—was endlessly compelling.
The view is the other reward. From up high, Kyoto opens up in layers: City grid, river corridor, distant slopes, and that soft atmospheric haze that makes everything feel slightly cinematic. It’s the kind of vantage point that makes you pause (not because you have to, but because your brain demands a minute to render it all). Also: Modern phone cameras are freaking amazing. Between keeping my distance and the monkeys’ constant motion, the extra zoom on my iPhone 17 Pro really came in handy. It let me stay back and still capture expressions, posture, and those tiny moments that feel like they’ll evaporate if you don’t catch them.
With those rules in mind, the experience becomes what it should be: Observation. You’re visiting them, not the other way around. Stay tuned for part 5 on Wednesday, February 18th. More monkeys!  Note: All photos and videos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.
Japan Trip Series, Part 3  On Day 3 of my trip, I visited Kyoto. It rained off and on as I walked from the Saga-Arashiyama Station to the Arashiyama Monkey Park and then on to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. And while some people might be disappointed to get rain on their only day in Kyoto on their first trip to Japan, I was grateful for it.
Sure, I got a little wet. But the drizzle was a trade I was happy to make. I’d been expecting Arashiyama to be super crowded, and while it was still busy, it never reached that shoulder-to-shoulder intensity I’d been bracing for based on photos and videos online. The rain softened everything: The light, the pace, the mood. It made the crowds feel more like a stream with occasional logjams than a crush. It also gave me a very practical reason to buy an umbrella from a Japanese konbini (convenience store). I don’t remember exactly what it cost, but it was cheap. So if you find yourself in Japan without an umbrella, don’t stress. Pop into a konbini and you’ll be covered, literally.  The Arashiyama Bamboo ForestThe Arashiyama Bamboo Forest was a great walk. The bamboo rises in tight ranks on either side of the path, tall and straight, like a living hallway. Even with people passing in both directions, there were plenty of moments where it felt calm. All it took was pausing for a minute, letting a cluster of photo-takers go by, and listening to the soft hush of wind moving through the leaves. And yes: There were lots of people taking photos. It’s that kind of place. (I was one of them.)  Autumn Colours On The WayOutside the bamboo grove, the scenery kept getting better. Kyoto in autumn has a way of stacking colours. Greens still holding on, then bursts of yellow, orange, and deep red rolling up the hillsides. The rain made everything look more saturated, like the landscape had been lightly polished (another benefit of the rain I was thankful for). Along the walks, little details popped too. Stone figures tucked against wet greenery, mossy edges, and quiet corners that felt like they’d been there forever, patiently waiting for you to notice.  The Katsura RiverOne of my favourite parts of the day was simply being near the Katsura River. Wide water, misty hills in the background, and that steady, calming movement you can watch for far too long without getting bored. The river and the surrounding mountains made the whole area feel bigger than the individual sights. Arashiyama is less “one attraction” and more a whole mood. Next up: The Arashiyama Monkey Park and sky-high views of Kyoto. Note: All photos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.
Japan Trip Series, Part 2 With my trip in November, I was curious to see if I’d encounter anything Christmas-y on my trip. Luckily, I got to see a couple Christmas sights, including lots of Christmas lights.
Fukuoka Christmas Lights & Sights - November 14, 2025
In Tokyo, while walking back to my hotel from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, I happened upon a Christmas tree and lights display. There was a little crowd, with plenty of people posing for photos. It was enjoyable to see Christmas so loved in Japan. The aesthetic if nothing else.
Tokyo Christmas Tree & Lights - November 19, 2025 Christmas might be a little different in Japan, but it seemed pretty much the same to me, just with Colonel Sanders and less Christian imagery. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 🎄  Fukuoka - November 14, 2025 Note: All photos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.
Japan Trip Series, Part 1 This post marks the beginning of a new series chronicling my November 7–21, 2025 trip to Japan. I’m still not sure how many entries this series will ultimately contain, as my trip was jam-packed with activities and sights, and there are a couple ways I could divide things. I’ll try to keep each post focused and digestible, and throughout this series I’ll intersperse posts on other topics that catch my attention. But for now, we begin where all long journeys begin: In the air. Leaving Winnipeg
Once boarded, I settled into a comfortable rhythm of reading on my Kobo Aura One. I’d just started ‘For We Are Many’ by Dennis E. Taylor (Bobiverse #2), a light, playful sci-fi exploration of identity, multiplicity, and what it means to have many versions of oneself scattered across the cosmos. A few hours later, during my Vancouver layover, that same eReader met its end. Screen failure that no amount of powercycling or resets could resolve. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. A Kobo Libra Colour was on sale at Chapters when I got back home to Canada, and the upgrades to USB-C and storage are much appreciated. It’s nice when most of your devices use the same cable.
Leaving Vancouver - November 7, 2025 Ten Hours Over Water, Mountains, and TimeMy 10.5-hour Vancouver–Narita flight had long stretches of nothing, punctuated by moments of spectacular views. Our route took us over part of Alaska, where frozen mountains and tundra stretched out in vast, sparsely populated silence. It’s a reminder of how much empty space we traverse to reach Japan, and how much of the world remains virtually untouched by humans. Alaskan Mountains & Tundra - November 7, 2025 I alternated between games, music, and movies on both my phone (Hoopla for ‘The Recall’) and the in-flight entertainment system. Wesley Snipes as a grizzled, alien-abduction-surviving mountain man was the best part of ‘The Recall’. I also rewatched ‘M3GAN 2.0’ and most of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Both are highly rewatchable films, but ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ reigns supreme on that front. The food was serviceable. Not bad. Not memorable. Just “plane food”, occupying the neutral zone between fuel and comfort. Arriving in Japan - November 8, 2025 By the time we landed in Narita around 4pm on November 8th, it would have been roughly 1am back in Winnipeg. If anyone is planning a trip from Winnipeg to Japan, I genuinely recommend an early-morning departure. Stay awake, ride the momentum through your flights, and then collapse into bed early local time. My sleep cycle aligned surprisingly well, giving me a far smoother start the next day than I expected.  Narita International Airport - November 8, 2025 Oita to Tokyo: A Different Kind of Order
After passengers needing assistance and premium seats, JAL boards rear-to-front and window-to-aisle. It’s astonishing how much smoother this feels. Fewer passenger “traffic jams”, less struggling with overhead bins, and more continuous flow. Even without the famously orderly queues Japan is known for, this system simply makes sense. I wish we’d adopt something similar in Canada. The highlight of this flight, though, was catching a clear view of Mount Fuji from the window, its iconic symmetry rising through the clouds. Mount Fuji is officially on my list for the next time I visit Japan. I don’t know when that will be, but I know I’ll return. Japan has that effect. It’s endlessly convenient, endlessly surprising, and endlessly full of places to explore. Mount Fuji - November 18, 2025 Riding the Jet Stream BackMy return flight—from Narita to Vancouver—was noticeably shorter at around seven to eight hours. The polar jet stream does most of the work here, pushing west-to-east flights along at higher ground speeds while making east-to-west flights drag on. You can see this difference geographically. My outbound route arced over Alaskan mountain ranges, while my return was a near-straight line across open ocean until we reached Vancouver Island. I passed the time with a double feature of ‘Dune’ Parts 1 and 2, music, and a few mobile games. The meals were similar to the earlier flights: All right, functional, and forgettable. Homeward Bound
Two Small Notes About Japanese AirportsTwo observations worth sharing:
Closing ReflectionFlights are the connective tissue of any long journey. They’re liminal, transitional, typically not the most comfortable, and occasionally marked by great views, conversations with fellow passengers, and moments of quiet reflection. They give you time to read, to think, to stare out at frozen mountains and oceans that remind you just how large the world is. They also teach you that travel can be as much about the spaces between destinations as the destinations themselves. Next up: The trip on the ground. But for now, I’m still thinking about that first glimpse of Mount Fuji from the airplane window. It is amazing how something so monumental can appear so suddenly and silently. It’s a reminder to stay open to new opportunities and that wonders can often be found while you’re simply passing through. Mount Fuji - November 18, 2025 Note: All photos in this post were taken by me with an iPhone 17 Pro.
|
