In our “Postcards from…” series, we invite intrepid travellers and creatives to share their experiences from some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. This time, we journey across Japan with photographer Millie Clark.
In our “Postcards from…” series, we invite intrepid travellers and creatives to share their experiences from some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. This time, we journey across Japan with photographer Millie Clark.
Ramen and record shops, neon crossings and deer-filled parks, bamboo groves, bullet trains, baseball stadiums and sunlit islands – Japan is a story with countless chapters. This one begins in Tokyo, where photographer Millie Clark landed, armed with her camera, wanderlust and trusty Globe-Trotter Carry-On case. ‘I was immediately struck by the city’s bustling shopping streets and striking, playful fashion,’ she reflects.She stayed at the Trunk Hotel Cat Street in Shibuya, a charming luxury hideaway tucked among the towering skyscrapers – ‘The perfect spot to unwind after a day navigating the busy streets of Shibuya,’ says Millie. How she unwound? ‘Enjoying a freshly brewed coffee and putting a Corinne Bailey Rae record on.’
Ramen and record shops, neon crossings and deer-filled parks, bamboo groves, bullet trains, baseball stadiums and sunlit islands – Japan is a story with countless chapters. This one begins in Tokyo, where photographer Millie Clark landed, armed with her camera, wanderlust and trusty Globe-Trotter Carry-On case. ‘I was immediately struck by the city’s bustling shopping streets and striking, playful fashion,’ she reflects.She stayed at the Trunk Hotel Cat Street in Shibuya, a charming luxury hideaway tucked among the towering skyscrapers – ‘The perfect spot to unwind after a day navigating the busy streets of Shibuya,’ says Millie. How she unwound? ‘Enjoying a freshly brewed coffee and putting a Corinne Bailey Rae record on.’
Having never visited Japan before, trying authentic ramen was high on Millie’s list when she headed out for the evening. She went straight to Afuri, a popular ramen spot in Tokyo, to see what all the fuss was about: ‘Effortlessly cool concrete interiors and rich, delicious pork ramen: you absolutely can’t go wrong.’Tokyo is a city packed with endless districts and must-see attractions – like the famous Shibuya Crossing, the leafy canopies of Ueno Park and the galleries at the Tokyo National Museum. Venturing to Tokyo City Flea Market, Millie found a treasure trove of quirky toy collectables, second-hand goods and souvenirs, selecting an Olympus OM-10 camera for her collection.
Having never visited Japan before, trying authentic ramen was high on Millie’s list when she headed out for the evening. She went straight to Afuri, a popular ramen spot in Tokyo, to see what all the fuss was about: ‘Effortlessly cool concrete interiors and rich, delicious pork ramen: you absolutely can’t go wrong.’Tokyo is a city packed with endless districts and must-see attractions – like the famous Shibuya Crossing, the leafy canopies of Ueno Park and the galleries at the Tokyo National Museum. Venturing to Tokyo City Flea Market, Millie found a treasure trove of quirky toy collectables, second-hand goods and souvenirs, selecting an Olympus OM-10 camera for her collection.
After spending four days in Tokyo, Millie travelled onwards to Nagoya, a city she describes as ‘surprisingly impressive’. As Japan’s fourth-largest city by population, Nagoya offers a balance of big-city energy with local charm. Millie reflects on how convenient everything was: ‘Perfectly roasted coffees on every corner, stylish independent vintage shops and historic landmarks like Nagoya Castle, which dates back to the Edo period – the best blend for a long weekend of culture and calm.’
After spending four days in Tokyo, Millie travelled onwards to Nagoya, a city she describes as ‘surprisingly impressive’. As Japan’s fourth-largest city by population, Nagoya offers a balance of big-city energy with local charm. Millie reflects on how convenient everything was: ‘Perfectly roasted coffees on every corner, stylish independent vintage shops and historic landmarks like Nagoya Castle, which dates back to the Edo period – the best blend for a long weekend of culture and calm.’
Next, Nara. The main appeal here is the herd of unique domestic deer that roam freely through the town – for 100 yen, you can buy crackers from the local stalls outside the parks to feed them. Millie decided to sit this one out; she quickly realised the deer were very curious, nosing through bags and following people persistently (‘not ideal’).
Next, Nara. The main appeal here is the herd of unique domestic deer that roam freely through the town – for 100 yen, you can buy crackers from the local stalls outside the parks to feed them. Millie decided to sit this one out; she quickly realised the deer were very curious, nosing through bags and following people persistently (‘not ideal’).
From Nara, she headed to Osaka, staying at Zentis Osaka in the entertainment district of Kitashinchi – the perfect base to explore the city. ‘I ventured across to the Shinsekai district, which dazzled with its bright lights and arcade games,’ she says. After enjoying cold soba noodles, she then stumbled across Smartball New Star. ‘The arcade walls were lined with retro posters and silver interiors, making it feel like you’d landed in an ’80s arcade game,’ she says.
From Nara, she headed to Osaka, staying at Zentis Osaka in the entertainment district of Kitashinchi – the perfect base to explore the city. ‘I ventured across to the Shinsekai district, which dazzled with its bright lights and arcade games,’ she says. After enjoying cold soba noodles, she then stumbled across Smartball New Star. ‘The arcade walls were lined with retro posters and silver interiors, making it feel like you’d landed in an ’80s arcade game,’ she says.
The next stop was Kyoto, which is the kind of place where a strict itinerary isn’t needed – a geisha museum here, a charming bookshop there and the iconic Yasaka Pagoda just around the corner. Millie wandered through the narrow lanes and teahouses of the Gion district before exploring the tranquil Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and strolling beside the Kyoto River.‘It was so peaceful,’ she says. ‘I stayed at Hoshinoya Kyoto, which is hidden between forested mountains.’ A ride on the Romantic Train through the scenic countryside is also a must-do if visiting areas beyond Arashiyama.
The next stop was Kyoto, which is the kind of place where a strict itinerary isn’t needed – a geisha museum here, a charming bookshop there and the iconic Yasaka Pagoda just around the corner. Millie wandered through the narrow lanes and teahouses of the Gion district before exploring the tranquil Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and strolling beside the Kyoto River.‘It was so peaceful,’ she says. ‘I stayed at Hoshinoya Kyoto, which is hidden between forested mountains.’ A ride on the Romantic Train through the scenic countryside is also a must-do if visiting areas beyond Arashiyama.
Another transport must is taking the bullet train. Millie hopped on to head to Hiroshima, where she stayed just south of the city in the Motojinamachi area. She was taken aback by the city’s beautiful port and coastline: ‘It really reflected Hiroshima’s core values of resilience and peace.’Exploring Hiroshima on foot, she was quickly moved by the city’s incredible endurance. ‘The Hiroshima Peace Memorial was a solemn and powerful reminder of history and healing,’ she says. ‘This quickly became the most important day of my trip.’
Another transport must is taking the bullet train. Millie hopped on to head to Hiroshima, where she stayed just south of the city in the Motojinamachi area. She was taken aback by the city’s beautiful port and coastline: ‘It really reflected Hiroshima’s core values of resilience and peace.’Exploring Hiroshima on foot, she was quickly moved by the city’s incredible endurance. ‘The Hiroshima Peace Memorial was a solemn and powerful reminder of history and healing,’ she says. ‘This quickly became the most important day of my trip.’
To connect more deeply with the local culture and community, she also attended a Hiroshima Toyo Carp baseball game. The Carp baseball team was founded just four years after the atomic bombing and, to this day, they represent the city's determination to rebuild and move forward. Millie thrifted an old Carp T-shirt from a 2nd Street reuse shop as a nice way to remember the day.
To connect more deeply with the local culture and community, she also attended a Hiroshima Toyo Carp baseball game. The Carp baseball team was founded just four years after the atomic bombing and, to this day, they represent the city's determination to rebuild and move forward. Millie thrifted an old Carp T-shirt from a 2nd Street reuse shop as a nice way to remember the day.
For the final chapter of her Japanese adventure, Millie flew south to Okinawa, staying in Naha. ‘With a monorail running through the city, getting around with a carry-on suitcase was effortless,’ she says. The lush greenery and tropical feel gave the city a distinctly different atmosphere from the mainland, matching her four-wheel carry-on in parrot green perfectly.
For the final chapter of her Japanese adventure, Millie flew south to Okinawa, staying in Naha. ‘With a monorail running through the city, getting around with a carry-on suitcase was effortless,’ she says. The lush greenery and tropical feel gave the city a distinctly different atmosphere from the mainland, matching her four-wheel carry-on in parrot green perfectly.
One highlight was a visit to American Village, full of bright colours, street art and beachside energy. She met a friendly local running a cinnamon bun and coffee shop, where they exchanged stories and gathered recommendations over freshly baked treats.While Naha offered a few inner-city beaches and great BBQ eats by the shore, Millie wanted to venture further. She joined a snorkelling tour to the Kerama Islands, where she swam in crystal-clear waters, spotted sea turtles and jumped from the top deck of the boat into the ocean – the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey through Japan.
One highlight was a visit to American Village, full of bright colours, street art and beachside energy. She met a friendly local running a cinnamon bun and coffee shop, where they exchanged stories and gathered recommendations over freshly baked treats.While Naha offered a few inner-city beaches and great BBQ eats by the shore, Millie wanted to venture further. She joined a snorkelling tour to the Kerama Islands, where she swam in crystal-clear waters, spotted sea turtles and jumped from the top deck of the boat into the ocean – the perfect ending to an unforgettable journey through Japan.