Yayoi Kusama is an interesting and eclectic artist to say the least. Her work is characterized by polka dots and bright colors, set onto forms that are organic such as the famous yellow Pumpkin on Naoshima. Yet, this is more than just a sculpture on a pier. It’s also a metaphor for an artists dilemna, trying to get attention in a vast world, standing alone patiently.

How many castles do I need to visit before I can call myself a castle hunter? Is there an achievement to be unlocked, or a badge to sew on my camera bag? Jokes aside, Hiroshima’s landmark keep was another in the list of beautiful fuedal structures, combining five floors of roof tiles with a darker wood exterior, situated on the banks of its own moat.

The city Hiroshima is synonymous with one grave event in world history. It has come back to life since that terrible day in 1945, a thriving metro with vibrancy and culture. Yet, it is important to remember the past, and do so respectfully. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, museum, and the Atomic Bomb Dome site preserve this history for all who visit.

In the movie The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) a man looks out upon Rome and falls from a heart attack, having seen something so stunning that it overwhelmed him. Miyajima’s great torii gate is kind of like that, designated as one of Japan’s three scenic most places (nihon sankei). The red archway against the backdrop of Hiroshima Bay remains a breathtaking view.

Blending in while standing out. It’s a philosophy that merges old with new, and in this case industrial with playful. Hiroshima’s coastline is mostly composed of factories and shipping facilities. So, when a new museum project wanted to build there, they took inspiration from the shipping containers, and the water itself, creating a floating gallery unlike any other.

The port of Kobe may be best known for it’s greatest export, Kobe beef, but there is so much more to this city than just happy cows. A metropolis nestled between the sea and the mountains a little ways West of Osaka, it proved to be much more approachable than many of Japan’s other big cities. Even in just a weekend I came away very impressed, and glad to have put it on my list.

A few years back, I read a book called Sushi and Beyond by Michael Booth. It was a deep look into the many different aspects of Japanese cuisine, and was especially educational about wasabi. The green stuff that you know from your local restaurant is a cheap imitation. The actual root is something special, and Daio Wasabi Farm was a great place to see its source.

Moat? Check. Stunning bridge with red paint? Check. Nearly impossible to climb stairs? Definitely check. Matsumoto marked another chance to experience one of Japan’s historic castles and get a glimpse into the lifestyle that the shogunate enjoyed during a very different time. It also stands as one of the most well preserved keeps, over 400 years old.

Koinobori, or carp streamers, are hung each year at the beginning of May, leading up to Children’s Day, the final holiday on the Monday after Golden Week. They are a symbol of strength and perseverance, able to withstand the wind, but also act as a decoration of the season. Add in the backdrop of the iconic Tokyo Tower, and you’ve got something special.

Japan’s cherry blossom trees, also known as sakura, tend to bloom right around the beginning of April each year. This makes for a tourist rush as everyone, from locals to international visitors, try to catch the magical time before it fades. Finding places that are off the beaten path in smaller cities can make the season much more manageable. Odawara is just such a place.