Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

View from the top of Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

#JP06 2006-04-03

On day 8 of my first #Japan trip 20 years ago, I took a train from Shinjuku Station to #Matsumoto in #Nagano Prefecture, where I walked around town and explored the magnificent Matsumoto Castle.

#photography #streetphotography #tokyo #scape #japanesecastle @bskyphotos.bsky.social

Seasonal reflections on a pond at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.

Statue of Liberty and Fuji TV Building in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan.

Typical architecture potpourri at Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan.

The Geo-Cosmos exhibit at Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan.

#JP06 2006-04-02

20 years ago, day 7 of my first #Japan trip was the last one spent in #Tokyo before starting to move west. After visiting the Imperial Palace East Gardens in the morning, I went to Odaiba & checked out Miraikan Museum.

#photography #streetphotography #scape @bskyphotos.bsky.social

Kyudo (Japanese archery) practice at Engakuji Temple in Kita-Kamakura, Japan.

Detail of the beautiful main gate at Kenchoji Temple in Kita-Kamakura, Japan.

Visitors approaching a side gate at Kenchoji Temple in Kita-Kamakura, Japan.

The Kamakura Daibutsu (Big Buddha) is making a discrete appearance behind cherry blossoms.

#JP06 2006-04-01

On day 6 of my first #Japan trip 20 years ago, I went to #Kamakura. I got to watch some Kyudo practice at Engakuji Temple, and walked the Daibutsu Hiking Course to the Big Buddha at the height of #cherryblossom season.

#photography #streetphotography #scape @bskyphotos.bsky.social

I sneaked this photo in the Ricoh office lobby while waiting for a friend to go to lunch with. Location is Ginza, Tokyo, Japan.

Scene at a bar in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku.

The underground tunnel at Shinjuku Government Building offered some interesting kaleidoscopic maze-like photo opportunities.

Looking around some of the camera shops in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

#JP06 2006-03-31

Day 5 of my first #Japan trip 20 years ago was spent at various #Tokyo locations. I went to #Ginza to meet a friend (who used to work at Ricoh) for lunch. In the afternoon, I went to #Akihabara, then on to #Shinjuku.

#photography #streetphotography #scape @bskyphotos.bsky.social

Nikkō Tōshō-gū is a famous Shinto shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It is known for its elaborate architecture and intricate carvings, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Nikkō Tōshō-gū is a famous Shinto shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. It is known for its elaborate architecture and intricate carvings, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A woman is talking on her phone amidst moving crowds of cherry blossom watchers at Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan.

A photographer is setting up a shot of illuminated cherry blossoms while people in the background are having picnics at Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan.

#JP06 2006-03-30

On day 4 of my first #Japan trip 20 years ago, I made a day trip
to #Nikko to see Toshogu Shrine. Back in #Tokyo in the evening, I went to Ueno Park to watch the locals go about #cherryblossom season activities.

#photography #streetphotography #tokyo #scape @bskyphotos.bsky.social

Visitors to Sensōji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, are enjoying the cherry blossoms.

People burning incense at Sensōji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan.

The famous scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo, as it looked in 2006.

Street food vendor during cherry blossom season at Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan.

#JP06 2006-03-29

On day 3 of my first #Japan trip 20 years ago, I hopped around some #Tokyo locations: Sensoji Temple in Asakusa in the morning, Shibuya (scramble crossing) in the afternoon, and Ueno Park (street food) at night.

#photography #streetphotography #tokyo #scape @bskyphotos.bsky.social

Seasonal boat ride on the moat at Kitanomaru Park in Tokyo, Japan.

A woman photographs cherry blossoms with her mobile phone at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Japan.

Hordes of photographers armed with heavy gear are photographing cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Japan.

A slightly inebriated salaryman is posing for my camera outside a Yakitori shop in Yurakucho, Tokyo, much to the amusement of his colleagues.

#JP06 2006-03-28

Day 2 of my first #Japan trip 20 years ago was #cherryblossoms themed. I first went to Kitanomaru Park, then to Shinjuku Gyoen. In the evening, I met some #photography friends around Yurakucho, and a salaryman posed for me.

#streetphotography #tokyo #scape @bskyphotos.bsky.social

Scene from Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan, during mid-cherry blossom season. Pedestrians are walking along a street lined with trees and hanging lanterns, and an approaching bicyclist is trying to pass the photographer.

Scene from Kanneiji Temple in Ueno Park, Tokyo, during cherry blossom season.

Hikawa Maru, a retired ocean liner built in 1929, is seen in the port of Yokohama, Japan.

Visitors at the "Tokyo City View" observatory in Roppongi Hills are seated on chairs, taking in a glance of the metropolis.

#JP06 2006-03-27

On day 1 of my first #Japan trip 20 years ago, I went to Ueno Park in #Tokyo in the morning. In the afternoon, I took a walk around #Yokohama, then returned to Tokyo for the "Tokyo City View" observatory in Roppongi.

#photography #streetphotography #scape @bskyphotos.bsky.social

Preview panel of four color photographs taken in 2006 at various locations in Tokyo, Japan.

Preview panel of four color photographs taken in 2006 at various locations in Tokyo, Kamakura, Matsumoto and Nagoya, Japan.

Preview panel of four color photographs taken in 2006 at various locations in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan.

Preview panel of four color photographs taken in 2006 at various locations in Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima and Tokyo, Japan.

20 years ago, I started my first trip to #Japan. Little did I know what a life-changing experience it would turn out to be.
From tomorrow, I will recreate that trip, posting four photos every day of what I saw on that same day in 2006. 😌

#JP06 #photography #streetphotography @bskyphotos.bsky.social