I was in Japan for about two months, from March to May, living one month in Osaka and one month in Tokyo, while taking advantage of the period to visit many villages and cities along the way.

One of the things I love about Japan is that even when the weather doesn't allow you to be outdoors, there's always something unique to do indoors. In these photos, for example, I'm at the TeamLab Borderless in Tokyo, a museum that seems straight out of a dream, where I spent an afternoon immersed in magic and light illusions. 🌌💫

Traveling around Japan, I noticed the contrast between the large metropolises like Tokyo and Osaka, where life never sleeps, and the small villages where silence falls with the setting sun. Here it is sometimes difficult to even find a 7-Eleven, Family Mart, or Lawson – the famous konbini, true Japanese lifesavers. Normally open 24/7, you can find everything there: from toothpaste to ready meals, and even the famous egg sandwiches, a must for tourists' breakfast (myself included!).

An experience I enjoyed a lot in Japan was staying in various ryokan, the traditional Japanese inns. Here the floors are made of tatami, the typical Japanese mats, and if you're feeling adventurous (and don't suffer from back pain!) you can sleep on futons, thin mattresses laid directly on the tatami.

In these ryokan, you have the opportunity to try the onsen, the Japanese hot springs. Each onsen has different water, with specific combinations of minerals – sulfur, sodium, iron, calcium, lithium... The exact composition is generally displayed in the changing rooms, hanging in a frame.

However, be careful: if you have tattoos, it's advisable to ask the staff beforehand if you can enter. In some cases, it's not allowed, and sometimes bandages are provided to cover them.

💡Fun fact: do you know why tattoos are not well-regarded in Japan? In the past, they were reserved for prisoners, prostitutes, and members of the Yakuza criminal group, so even today they still evoke a bit of that delinquent image.

And maybe you will think of covering your tattoos with a swimsuit or a t-shirt… absolutely do not do this! In onsens, you must enter strictly naked: it is a matter of hygiene and respect for tradition. Don't worry though, areas are always separated between men and women (unless you choose a private onsen).

🍣 Sushi in Japan is an experience that goes beyond food. In small restaurants, I tried nigiri prepared by masters working in front of my eyes: a riot of flavors that I still dream about today.

Then there is Sushiro, a chain I love that you can find all over Japan and Asia: the dishes arrive on a conveyor belt, you can help yourself to unlimited hot water and green tea, and the prices vary depending on the color of the plate. A fun and accessible experience.

Obviously, sushi is just a very small part of Japanese cuisine, one of the healthiest and most varied in the world. I fell in love with the different types of ramen, okonomiyaki, the typical omelette from Osaka, and any sweet or drink with matcha. And believe me, if I were to continue the list of delicacies I tried during my stay, this page would never end!🍵🍜