Japan Diary Pt. I
Ever since my parents, Nancy, and I traveled through parts of Asia, my dad has wanted to return to Japan. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t fall in love with Japan and wants to return. What began as his idea for a six-month solo adventure eventually turned into a three-week father-and-son trip, which in itself feels like a special thing to do, regardless of the destination. While figuring out the ideal schedule and timing for this trip, I reflected on what’s truly important in life and how some opportunities eventually pass by. Right now, we’re both in great shape, get along very well, are curious about each other, and genuinely enjoy similar things — from food to art. Still, there’s an element of uncertainty: how will it be to travel together for three weeks, sharing a room every night with very little privacy? To give us some natural breathing space, I planned three half-days where I’ll work, and my dad can explore on his own. It’s a chance for both of us to pause and reflect.
I also thought about what might happen if we clash or face tricky situations. I decided I’ll try to welcome these moments instead of avoiding them, since that’s where growth can happen, and our relationship can only deepen. (It doesn’t have to happen at all, but being open to it feels like the right posture.) At the heart of this trip is our intention to spend time together, and the fact that we get to do so while traveling through Japan makes it even more special.
After a smooth flight, we arrived in Osaka and went directly to our first destination: Kobe. There, we were warmly welcomed for lunch by Teruhiro Yanagihara and his team at Vague Gallery — an experiential gallery space located in an old bank. It was the perfect way to begin our journey. Surrounded by beautiful design objects, we talked about the purpose behind Teruhiro’s Vague galleries in Kobe and Arles, where we first met two years ago and connected over our shared perspectives on design and craftsmanship. After lunch at their newly opened restaurant, Haruka, whom we met in Arles as well, gave us a private tour and showed us their research and design studio. After this beautiful experience, we left Kobe for Kurashiki, where we spent our first night.
The next morning, we slept in, feeling fresh and ready to explore the old town of Kurashiki, home to one of Japan’s best-preserved historical quarters. Once a key rice distribution hub during the Edo period, Kurashiki’s canals and storehouses (“kura”) remain as reminders of its trading past. Later, the city also became an important center for cotton cultivation and textile production, which shaped much of its modern identity. Strolling along the willow-lined canals and past white-walled warehouses was a beautiful way to spend the day before taking the bus to Uno, our gateway to Teshima and Naoshima Islands in the coming days.
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