Osaka 2025
Had a 7 day (Jan/28-Feb/04) travel trip during the Lunar New Year in Osaka 大阪, Japan.
It has been more than 6 years since I've been to Osaka, just before COVID landed. I was in Osaka when the news started pouring out and measures by countries started taking shape. Flights got cancelled and lockdowns began.
John
The trip was accompanied by John, hobbyist saxophonist and photographer. We met in one of my Jazz session groups, and cooked his maiden voyage to Japan.
Officially my first time to travel with a friend/photographer into Osaka other than a local domestic trip during my time in Japan.
Overall trip was a no-rush, photograph-centric, Kissa Ten 喫茶店 (cafe) chills with coffee and jazz background music, with evening visits to jazz bars/clubs.
Dotonbori 道頓堀
Not your usual glico shotEXIF
Kushi Katsu 串カツEXIF
Bluefin TunaEXIF
The bluefin tuna may be heavier 😆 than me!
Osaka Castle 大阪城
You can sleep when you're dead!EXIF
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Osaka Castle WallsEXIF
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Running in WinterEXIF
Students running up towards the castle, in Winter. 🥶
Osaka Castle 大阪城EXIF
Leica M10 caught a cold
What better way to sour your trip when the only camera you have failed to work as expected?
Bad focusEXIF
After the above shot, my M10's rangefinder/patch failed to move entirely, which means I am no longer able to focus.
Rangefinder stopped working, need advice
Fortunately, the M10 recovered after sitting out in the hotel room for a day, just in time for our day-trip to Kyoto.
Arashiyama - Kyoto 嵐山 - 京都
Checking focus on the M10EXIF
Kyoto TowerEXIF
On our way to Saga-Arashiyama StationEXIF
Saga-Arashiyama Station 嵯峨嵐山駅EXIF
World Cultural Heritage - Tenryu-ji 天龍寺
World Cultural Heritage - Tenryu-ji 天龍寺EXIF
John under the bridgeEXIF
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Building RepairsEXIF
John Seiza 正座 Shoot
John practices Aikido 合気道 and was interested in a Seiza 正座 posture shot.
With all the crowds in place... now that's a challenge.
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Featured in Black and White John Seiza ジョンさん正座
We spent quite some time here for various posed shots, waiting on crowds to pass through and that crowd-less background, time to go back to the original tourist route.
Sogenchi Garden 曹源池庭園
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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest 嵐山 竹林
One of the more challenging spots to get rid of crowds. If you are preparing for that clean shot, be ready to spend some time here waiting on crowds. As it was winter, sunset was around 430pm, we decided to do a quick run on this spot and make our way back for food and rest.
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Featured in Color Arashiyama Bamboo Forest 嵐山 竹林 Stroll
While we finally made our way out (a big detour) of the bamboo forest, we came across rickshaws training
Rickshaw in training 人力車研修中EXIF
After all that shooting and walking, the rickshaw sounded really tempting to send us back where we were, if only they weren't training 🤣
Tennouji 天王寺
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ABENO HARUKAS あべのハルカス
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Great views even in the restroomsEXIF
Abeno Harukas 300EXIF
Abeno HarukasEXIF
Shinsekai 新世界
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Featured in Color Shinsekai 新世界
