Article updated on May 25, 2020
Text & photos: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen

Here is a compilation of our photographs of Japan capturing the essence of this fascinating country to inspire you.

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Click on the photos for a more comfortable experience, and browse through:

Play of light in the main street of Tsumago

One of the many waterfalls along the road to Shiretoko

Colourful fishing crates in Rausu, Japan.

Flower fields along patchwork road, Biei

The Blue Pond, Hokkaido

A salmon up Sakurano Taki waterfall, Hokkaido

One of the five lakes reflecting nature like a mirror, go-ko, Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido, Japan.

Beautiful and curious fox, Shiretoko NP, Japan

Brown bear cub, Shiretoko NP, Hokkaido, Japan.

Rock eroded by drift ice, Shiretoko Peninsula, Japan.

Delicious home-made dinner with potatoes from Hokkaido, grilled eggplants, pickled cucumbers, cuttlefish, miso with tofu, grilled salmon and melon.

Fumaroles on Asahi-dake

The active Asahi-dake volcano in the Daisetsuzan National Park

Sadako’s story started a crane folding impulse all over Japan, here at the Kompira-san shrine, Shikoku

Crossing the vine bridge

Spectacular waterfall of Takachiho, Japan.

Detail of the Furuzono stone Buddhas: the Dainichi Nyorai is considered as the finest stone Buddha statue in Japan, 12th century

The erosion by the Gokase-gawa river keeps digging the Takachiho gorge, Japan.

Passing on the tradition in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Two delicate statues along the path of philosophy, Kyoto, Japan

Ultra fresh sashimis on rice at Tsukiji market, Tokyo, Japan

Mother and daughter wearing traditional kimonos, Japan

A procession at the Shikokuchuo summer festival of Shikokuchuo, Japan

Lanterns and lights in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan

Nagasaki, Japan

Iwaya-ji Temple, Shikoku, Japan

Preparing soup by the Tsukiji market, Tokyo, Japan

Layers of mountains in the clouds reminding Japanese prints

Omikuji hung by a shrine along the road by Ebino Kogen, Japan.

Driving along the grasslands of Mount Aso, Japan.

The idyllic Yamamizuki onsen, Kurokawa, Japan

Lake Onami, a crater lake reached by Ebino Kogen, Kyushu.

Lucky charms for a fruitful marriage, Aoshima Shrine

Endless amounts of gates offer you a unique experience

Monks at Yasaka-jinja, Kyoto

Travel tips:

• Check out this interactive map for the specific details to help you plan your trip and more articles (zoom out) about the area!

For everything about Japan, click here!

Or click on the images below for a selection: