
The bamboo forest in Kyoto early in the morning
Even after three weeks in Japan, I feel like I just barely grazed the surface of what there is to discover in this beautiful land. It’s not just the beautiful sites that captured my heart but also the hospitality, grace, and kindness of the people in Japan.
There’s nothing quite like exploring a place for the very first time and it’s even more enchanting when it involves discovering a new culture. In some ways my preconceived notions of what Japan was going to be like were completely wrong. I think I was expecting more historic Japanese style architecture blended with an almost science-fiction like feel to the big cities. I was therefore surprised to see that so much of Japan looked similar to most other western modern cities. However, where there was a Japanese feel and style to locations, it was extremely Japanese. So what was the stuff that was extremely Japanese? The politeness of the people, the unique and extremely delicious foods, the perfectly manicured Japanese gardens, the incredibly detailed temples and other historic sites, the punctuality of the transportation system, the cleanliness of the cities, and a vending machine every 20 meters wherever you were at any point at any time.
Japan, not only a mega-busy city that thrives on electronics and efficiency, actually has an almost sacred appreciation of nature. One must travel outside of Tokyo to truly experience the ‘old Japan’ and more importantly feel these aspects of Japanese culture.
~Apolo Ohno
One thing that struck me, in particular, was the harmony of nature and man. The Japanese have a reverence for nature and seem to be able to build around nature in a respectful fashion. The flip side of that is also true where even when there are natural elements such as gardens added to historic, residential and commercial areas, those gardens are so well-maintained, intricately designed, and beautifully manicured. It’s no longer gardening, it’s pure art, much like the bamboo forest at the Adashino-Nenbutsu-ji Buddhist temple as seen in the above photo. Just a few meters away from this beautiful path in the midst of a small bamboo forest you’ll find a temple, cemetery, hundreds upon hundreds of small stone statues. Oh so very Japanese.
Part of the trip was certainly devoted to taking photographs but another part was to be able to meet with our hosts at Fujifilm world headquarters in Tokyo. I was there to meet with the product development team and marketing people for the X – series of cameras and lenses. I’m stoked to be working with Fujifilm and love the fact that they are looking to make their new line of cameras and lenses appeal to a wide range of photographers and photo enthusiasts. This is some serious equipment and after seeing what is in the pipeline for the next few years, all I can say is: Hold onto your hats people!
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
Steve Jobs
In addition to my regular DSLR kit including some exceptionally cool Zeiss lenses, I’m now completely set up with the full Fujifilm camera system and I’m absolutely loving it. I’ll have more to talk about in the near future regarding this innovative new mirrorless camera system but for now I’d highly recommend that you go check out the whole line of X – series cameras and lenses for yourself.

Fujifilm X-series of cameras and lenses
I’m off to Rome later today and will be revisiting some of my favorite places in that beautiful country on my spring Italy photography tour. It’s always fun to be back in Italy to share all the art, history, and natural beauty of this very special country with the participants that join us. The food and wine ain’t so bad either ;-)
Thanks for being so awesome Japan, hope to see you again very soon!


Ken, if your picture of the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto is an indication of what else is to follow from Japan then I am holding my breathe.
I am taking away the “e” in my breathing.
You had me at the bamboo forest: I remember walking through a Bamboo Forest to a waterfall off the road to Hana in Maui, and I’ll never forget the sound of the wind moving the bamboo stalks while we walked through the darkened, canopied forest. Soft ‘clack-clack-clack-clacks’ as the stalks hit each other..incredible memory.
Looks like you’ll have a few of your own from Japan.
Stunning! Love the parallels between the soaring bamboo forest and the high-rise building. Both beautiful in their own way.
Japan seems beautiful. Looking forward to photos to come!
Love love love that first shot!
It’s like it goes on forever.
Really awesome..!!! Greenery all the way… full of adventure..!! Like it..!!
Ken, I just got back from Japan too. Unfortunately, mine was a working trip so I did not have a lot of time for photography. But your impressions of the country were so similar to mine. I can’t wait to go back, but with more time for photography. I am also interested in your impressions of the Fuji system. I have decided to go Sony, mainly because of the A7R. My street camera is the NEX 6 but I am about to change to the A6000. However, I am sorely tempted to go Fuji for the street camera. Being a part time photographer, having 2 cameras that are almost identical in terms of controls and menu just makes it easier. The lens range on the Fuji is tempting though.
Interesting info and of course great photos! Thanks.
Hey Piers,
The Fuji lens line-up is hard to beat for a mirrorless system and trust me when I say that it’s only going to get better. MUCH better :)
I’ve just come back from 3 months in Tokyo. I can’t agree with you more. The time I spent there will stay with me forever. Sadly I didn’t have much time off from work, but I did manage a few day trips. Simply amazing. The food, the RESPECT, the transit systems, the people. Every time I looked for something, I found it and much much more. I will return!
That skyscraper is truly insane … it’s at the top of my list when I get to Kyoto!
O my god it stop my breath i am breathless, AMAZING picutes!!!!
Wow!! Great information. Thank you so much, this is first time I’ve seen the amazing place in Japan. The bamboo forest with a beautiful road inside it is really amazing. I think the color combination of this forest is awesome, like – Green every where, again the other colors.
Those shots are incredible! The super sharp colors were unreal. Your observations on the culture was also interesting- I can imagine that it was pretty enjoyable to shoot such an environment.
I love Japan.
One of my favourite destinations and the culture is amazing.
Your photos really bring it to life.
Jai – http://www.livinginchiangmai.org/
Great images Ken! I’m a Canadian living in Kyoto for almost ten years now and I love to see other people’s perspective on my adopted home. If you ever need some help on your next trip here please ask! I’d be happy to help with location ideas or language barriers. Keep up the good work.
Very nice picture of this beautiful green bamboo forest, it looks amazing and I always dream of going to this place and experience it natural beauty and culture.
I’m a travel photographer and have been living in Kyoto for ten years and still there are little gems to be found around each corner and down an alley way. Beautiful work Ken. Keep it up!
I loved the detail in the bamboo image. The depth is immensely powerful.
XOXO,
Bhavya.