After spending 10 days in Japan, followed by a week in Korea, my mind is still processing the whole, amazing experience. I visited Japan in 2008 on my round the world trip, and it’s still one of my most-loved countries for so many reasons. For now, I’ll start by sharing some of my favorite Instagrams from Japan!

Frozen yogurt and freshly made potato chips, drizzled with chocolate sauce at Calbee+ on Takeshita St in Harajuku.

Japanese bookstores have a nice selection of cat magazines. Shocking how much print is NOT dead in Japan. Side note: their fashion magazines come with a purse attached!

One of the things I love about Japan is their dedication to cute (“kawaii”) culture. Socks shopping at Mighty Soxer on Takeshita St in Tokyo.

Biking in Karuizawa (& fall colors). Also love the trust factor of bike locks in Japan.

Hot coffee from vending machines – why do we still not have these?

Snow monkeys soaking in their mountain onsen in Yudanaka – one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen!

Fall colors from the Shinkansen train from Nagano back to Tokyo.

First stop in Osaka: okonomiyaki for dinner

The best aquarium I’ve ever visited. Fantastic.

Japan takes photo booths to a whole new level. Another Japan item I thought would have reached American shores by now.

We stopped by a cat cafe in Osaka. It was an… odd experience.

Worth a second visit. Golden Pavilion temple in Kyoto.

Udon in Kyoto.

Love the food “cart” culture along Fukuoka’s waterfront.

We spent our last few hours in Japan watching sumo!

Have you been to Japan?