Japan 2025
September-August 2025, Japan
Japan 2025
As with all chapters of my life, the few pages I spent in Japan have left a permanent mark. It’s in my newfound appreciation for silence, my depleted tolerance for mediocre sushi, and the unforgettable dread I felt on the journey home. How could I just leave with so much left to discover?
I did my best with the time I had—and with the clearest mind I could manifest—to learn every lesson this place offered.
I arrived with my faction at the tail end of an unusually hot summer with no real plan beyond our centrally located apartments in Tokyo. To some, this lack of structure might seem chaotic. However, I’ve found that if a few basic principles are followed, I can gain my footing almost anywhere.
A quick disclaimer: I avoid tourist traps, preferring to live among working-class locals whenever possible. These tips may not resonate with those seeking the curated resort experience. Additionally, as a large African American man, I recognize that intersectional results will vary by locale.
Here are the three principles that guided my journey.
The 1st principle: Get Your Bearings
Before you can understand a culture, you have to understand the soil. I diligently research the immediate surroundings of my "crib." I look into the geography, the flora and fauna, the demographics, and even the minimum wage. I want to know the development history, political leanings, and local institutions. I check Snapchat Maps and Reddit (with a heavy heap of salt) to see the live pulse of the neighborhood.
Locate the essentials: the nearest eateries, groceries, pharmacies, cafes, and libraries. Then, just walk. Get the layout of the land and see if you can uncover a detail the internet missed.
Pro-tip: If you’re going to take a formal tour, do it on day one. It builds the foundation for everything else.
The 2nd principle: Meet the locals
As a foreigner, I know the best information comes from the people who actually live there. It’s vital to have the confidence to talk to strangers, regardless of language barriers.
Admittedly, this can be difficult. But I don’t travel across the world just to talk to the friends I brought with me or the people paid to serve me. I believe there is more about the human experience that we have in common than not; I try to have faith in that.
I’ve found that most people are chill and genuinely enjoy talking about their lives and their city. I’ve also found that—as a photographer—the most common response to “May I take your photo?” is a smile and an “Of course.”
The 3rd principle: Let Curiosity Lead the Way
The moment you feel like you’ve "figured a place out" is the moment you stop learning. I try to remain aware of my own contextual lens—the biases and perspectives I carry—and how they shape my understanding.
To get to a deeper level, you have to stay curious about the why of a place:
What are people worried about here?
Where do they go during holidays?
What are the locals doing at 6:00 AM on a Saturday?
What happened to the people who lived here a century ago?
There are a thousand other pieces of advice I could give, but with these three principles, I’m confident I can find an enriching experience anywhere in the world.
What about you? Do you have any “First Principles” when it comes to getting around? Did I miss a crucial step? Let me know!
