What I Learnt from Travelling to 30 Japanese Prefectures

I first stepped foot in Japan in spring of 2019, spending two weeks travelling along Japan’s Golden Route between Tokyo and Kyoto, stopping off at Hakone, Osaka and Nara along the way. A pretty standard first-time Japan itinerary, yes, but also enough to make me fall in love with the country. So much so, that by October 2019 I had packed up my things and moved to start a new life in Tokyo.

Arriving in Tokyo with my shiny new resident’s card, wide-eyed and bushy tailed, I spent the next four years delving deeper into Japan than I ever thought I would. Photography has allowed me to see so many corners of this fascinating country, from snowy mountains to white sand beaches and rare cultural experiences along the way.

Below I am sharing a few things I picked up after travelling to a total of 30 prefectures (more than most Japanese nationals would in their entire lives!). Whether you’re a seasoned Japan traveller, first time visitor or a budding travel photographer, I hope you find this useful!

Why Japan?

Before moving to Japan, I had been working in the UK as a graphic designer for around six years. My first introduction came through design and architecture and I quickly became obsessed after our first visit in spring of 2019. The London studio I worked at had a big Japanese influence and this inspired me a lot in terms of creativity and style. It wasn't until I actually moved to Japan that I really started to take photography seriously and make it into my career and get to where I am today.

Japan always had a mystery appeal to me and I was hooked on learning more about Japanese architecture and culture. It is also like nowhere I have visited before in terms of diversity of landscape, cities, mountains, islands, climate and seasons.

Visas & Residency

One of the biggest misconceptions about moving to Japan is that you have to become a teacher, sign up for a full-time job at a Japanese company – or get married – to be able to get a visa. I actually first came here on a Working Holiday Visa, which I can’t recommend highly enough, if you meet the requirements! This allowed me to work and travel freely around the country for one year. During this I was able to build up enough clients to change to my current Artist Visa.

The Artist Visa allows me to work as a freelance photographer. As with any visa there are specific requirements, and it is mostly beneficial if you are looking to become a freelance photographer, but for me it has been so perfect in allowing me to travel and build a rich life in Japan. The moral of the story is: don't listen to the 99% of people who say different visas are impossible to get. Do your research and find your own path.

Go Deep Not Wide

Over four years I have visited Kyoto nineteen times, Nagano five times, Okinawa four times, Fukuoka three times, Naoshima twice and spent over four months in Hokkaido. The beauty of travelling around Japan is the repeat visits, the new finds and the familiar faces. Feeling at home in a place so far from your own is where the real magic lies.

Choose Your Seasons Wisely (or Don’t)

I’ve been to Okinawa in winter, Hokkaido in summer and Tohoku in the pouring rain. Japan has many famous and iconic places but don’t be afraid to visit during the off-seasons - the outcome will only be the most unique and special trip you might ever take.

A Constant Paradox

A high-speed shimmering bullet train takes you to a town whose main trade is apple production. You use an iPhone app to book an appointment with a fifth generation samurai sword maker. Japan is simultaneously old and new, historic and futuristic, and that’s what makes it so special. You can never really understand it until you spend time exploring.

Go Remote

Often there isn’t a huge amount of info in the more remote destinations, but if you have time I highly recommend going further than you might ordinarily. Find that local restaurant, stay in a traditional ryokan and experience Japan in its truest form.

Go Solo

I’ve been on more solo trips than I can count and even though I’ve often met people along the way or had a work colleague accompany me, these trips are really a personal journey and have benefitted me in so many ways.

Don’t Believe the Hype

Now that Japan’s borders are back open, there are more clickbait articles and viral TikToks than ever before, and mostly produced by people who have spent just one or two weeks total in the country. Beware of these and stick to the trusted sources of information (like the one you’re reading!).

A World of Crafts

From sword-makers in Kanazawa to silk weaving in Kyoto, and glass makers in Chiba to ceramic artists in Fukuoka, Japan is home to some of the world’s most treasured craftspeople. I am proud to have been able to discover so many of these often untold stories throughout my travels and I highly recommend learning more about handicraft traditions when you come to visit.

Micro Seasons

Did you know that Japan has 72 micro-seasons? Whereas these aren’t particularly crucial to pay attention to on an everyday basis, they provide a great insight if you are particular interested in chasing the autumn foliage or Sakura in spring. Be sure to pay attention to the official autumn leaves calendar and cherry blossom calendar accordingly to make the most out on your trip.

If you made it this far, thank you. I want to invite you to be one of the first to download my FREE Tokyo Neighbourhoods Guide. I want to show you a lesser-known side to Tokyo; low-rise and walkable, away from the tourist traps. Through this guide, I will take you to some of my favourite hidden corners, from a neighbourhood famous for its coffee roasters to an architectural treasure hunt – a more thoughtful, slower way to appreciate Tokyo.