The Sanja Matsuri is one of the biggest and oldest shinto festivals in Tokyo. It is held in honor of the three men who founded the Sensou Temple. I'm really glad that I got the opportunity to be a part of something that is so important to the community. Since this festival is so old, being there was like seeing a part of history in all the rituals that make up the religuous portion of the festival. At the same time, the colorful booths that lined the streets served as a reminder of the modern times. In a way, the festival mirrors Japan. Like the cities where skyscrapers and ancient temples sit alongside each other, the Sanja Matsuri brings ancient history and modern times together.

This is a photo I took of what is known as the 百万ドル夜景 (Hyaku-man Doru Yakei) or “Million Dollar nightview” in Hakodate, Japan.
I’m not sure what exactly the criteria are for a nightviews, but apparently it is considered one of the most beautiful in the world…or at least in Japan.
While the view was nice, I’d say the gondola ride up to the top of Mount Hakodate, passing over the city, was enough to make the trip worth it.

Going to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine at night was one of the most breathtaking experiences I had while in Japan. Wandering up the mountainside between thousands of torii gates, my friends an I were almost the only ones there. Pure silence except for the sound of footsteps. I doubt I’ll ever experience such a solemn, beautiful place ever again.

Throughout the preparation in being able to study abroad, it is always made clear that studying abroad can be and is a life changing experience for some people. To me this photo is of a street I always crossed to catch the bus that was part of my everyday commute routine, and brought my emotions full circle: the anxiety of being in a foreign place, growing to adapt and assimilate into the cultural life style of Japan as a guest in their society, and the anxiety of returning home to a place that is so familiar. While abroad, I was always looking ahead to the fun and opportunities that awaited in my quest to maximize my time abroad. Times are dark and the stillness of the night is almost tangible. Made it through one day after the next, learning, growing, and coming to love the community I had become a part of. The night I took this picture, it was a little before returning back home to Hawaii. The stillness of the night was almost just as tangible as knowing change was coming, but not what it would bring. A car approaches, and isn’t going to stop for you because the driver of that car has a different destination in mind. The time has come for you to start moving again. Where is your destination? What do you want to do with your life now that you have more knowledge and grown?