Arashiyama Bamboo Grove alone makes Japan worth the trip

I'll be honest — I went to Japan primarily to see Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Tokyo has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights.

The food is extraordinary. ramen sounds simple but here it's done with real craft. incredible food culture added another layer to the experience. Spent 17 days and honestly could have used a week more.