It’s hilariously late of me to be posting about my spring adventures as summer comes to a close, but I suppose there’s no better (or worse) way to kick-start my reborn newsletter with my latest trip to Japan. It’s a huge departure from my typical trip - this one’s a lot more laid-back and less treacherous than my usual shenanigans.
If you’d like to see what my friends and I got up to in more detail, feel free to check out my YouTube video covering this trip here!
Day 1:
Land in Tokyo, meet up with Jonas
Car rental from Samurai Campers
Drive 2.5hrs to Fujikawaguchiko, location scout
Fuji-san - Ryan Aw, 2026.
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II - 1/25s, f/5.6, ISO 100
Day 2:
Explore Lake Kawaguchiko, location scout
Fuji-san framed by a shrine - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II - 1/200s, f/6.3, ISO 100
Day 3:
Drive 3hrs to Magome, Gifu
Explore ancient samurai trade routes and trails
Magome, Gifu - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II - 1/100s, f/5.6, ISO 100
Day 4:
Explore Gifu
Drive 3hrs to Osaka
Pick up Nina
Ryujin Falls - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/50s, f/8, ISO 125
Day 5:
Drive 45mins, explore Nara Park, location scout
Drive 4.5hrs to Takehara, Hiroshima
Nara Park - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/500s, f/4.5, ISO 400
Day 6:
Explore Hiroshima, location scout
Drive 2.5hrs to Shimonoseki
Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/125s, f/10, ISO 100
Day 7:
Drive 2hrs to Aso-Kuju National Park
Explore Takamori
Drive 1hr to Takachiho, location scout
Horses at Mt Aso - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 70-200mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/80s, f/2.8, ISO 100
Day 8:
Explore Takachiho
Drive 2hrs to Oita, explore
Drive 30mins to Beppu, enjoy onsen
Gorge with a view - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/100s, f/2.8, ISO 100
Day 9:
Rest day, sakura finally blooming!
Drive 4hrs back to Hiroshima, location scout
Hiroshima Castle - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/250s, f/7.1, ISO100
Day 10:
Explore Miyajima Island & Hiroshima
Drive 3hrs to Himeji, explore
Drive 2hrs to Kyoto, location scout
Miyajima Island - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 70-200mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/400s, f/8, ISO 500
Day 11:
Explore Kyoto
Drop Nina off
Walking by the Riverside - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/160s, f/8, ISO 100
Day 12:
Explore Kyoto
Pick up Dario
Sakura everywhere - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/160s, f/5.6, ISO 100
Day 13:
Drive 1hr to Nara
Explore Nara
Buddha in Sakura - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/100s, f/10, ISO 100
Day 14:
Explore Nara
Nara Deer - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 300mm f./2.8 GM - 1/800s, f/5.6, ISO 2000
Day 15:
Rest day in Kyoto
Drive 5hrs to Fujiyoshida
The Iconic Kyoto Image - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/125s, f/9, ISO 160
Day 16:
Explore Fujiyoshida/Fujikawaguchiko again
Fuji-san in Sakura - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/250s, f/10, ISO 200
Day 17:
Drive 2.5hrs to Tokyo
Pick up Nina again
Drop off Camper
Me walking down Sakura lane - Ryan Aw, 2026
Sony A1 ii, 24-70mm f/2.8 GM ii - 1/200s, f/10, ISO 500
Day 18-21:
Explore Tokyo
Go home and find out that the largest collection of sakura in the world is actually just 2hrs drive away from me in Macon, Georgia haha
To see more images from this trip, check out my YouTube Channel, or my website! Prints from this trip are also available on my site!
As always, thank you so much for reading!