Japan-Tokyo Destination Photographer

What to do when “home” isn’t really “home”

Anna Kay Photography

Fussa and Tokyo Destination Photographer

Japan Travel and Seasons

Aomori City, Aomori, Japan, Winter

This may be a totally foreign concept to many people, or it may be familiar but on a different scale.

I left a big piece of my heart in another country and now I’m always missing that “home”. I want to share my Japan travel and seasons experience with you.

Strangely, in that “home” I don’t speak the language, I don’t look like anyone, I was just beginning to really dive in to some of the deeper cultural things, and as you might guess I’m not from there nor do I have any permanent ties there.

But I miss it everyday, and every season. Right now in northern Japan it’s cold. But not a horrible cold, just the right amount that keeps snow on the ground. It’s the cold that prepares the Cherry Blossoms for their big debut. So the cold has a purpose. It’s also snow festival season, which means yummy food, lots of sleds and the cutest snowsuits you’ve ever seen.

Aomori Buddha, Apples, Japan, Travel Japan Hirosaki Cherry Blossom, Sakura Matsuri, Tokyo Destination Photographer

Just as quickly as the snow melts, the Sakura start to bloom. It’s the most magical time in Japan and we were lucky to witness the blossoms in Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo and northern Japan. I’ll never forget the first time I saw them. Cael was 48hrs old and we were leaving the hospital to go home. When I’d gone in just 2 days before it was cool and dreary. Leaving felt like I’d been transported to another world. Streets were lined with giant trees in full light pink bloom. The wind would rustle and “Sakura snow” would gently fall to the ground. The kids would even try to eat the blossoms!

Cherry Blossoms in Japan, Tokyo Destination Photographer, Anna Kay Photography Japan Lupine Field Japan Azalea Festival

After the blossoms a whole season of flowers would begin. Azaleas, hydrangeas, lupine, dahlias. One day I’ll tell the story of each flower season and the adventures we had visiting all of them. Months were literally planned around what was in bloom, what festival we could go to next.

Golden Palace Kyoto, Japan, Tokyo Destination Photographer, Anna Kay Photography Tokyo and Kyoto Destination Photographer, Anna Kay Photography

The short summer was hot and humid but nothing a cold Chu-hai couldn’t take the edge off. Kids played with water in the front yards and had their fill of flavored ice at festivals. There were so many parades with beautiful floats and patterns. Lilly and Cael wore their jinbei or kimonos to stay cool. Baseball games, water parks. Things that even though we have in the states they’re just more fun in Japan.

Nebuta Festival Floats, Japan, Aomori    

Fall would blow its way in with a fierce afternoon wind, but beautiful views of the mountains and leaves that rival the northeast US. And in true Japanese style, leaf viewing was its own holiday of sorts. Fall was apple picking time, ramen season (well, I only like ramen when it’s cool out) and curry for comfort food.

Hakodate Bay at Sunset, Tokyo Destination Photographer Hakodate Bay, Coastal Town, Japan Destination Photographer

Living in Japan taught me how to live in the present. So much care is taken to keep each season unique and special.

I hope to go back one day, but until then, I’ll make a home wherever we go.

Be sure to check out some of our new adventures here! Ready to book your session? Message me here!

 

UPDATE:

Anna Kay Photography is relocating to Japan the summer of 2020. I cannot wait to serve the Fussa and Tokyo destination markets. Please contact me when you’re ready to book your Tokyo destination photographer, Japan travel session or Fussa session beginning July 2020. Until then, be sure to say “Hey” on Instagram!

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