First snow of the season today in Japan, in the Daisetsuzan mountains in central Hokkaido - a little later than last year. (Photo from Feb)

Took delivery of all the Lonely Planet books I’ve worked on in the last year or so - lots of hours poured into these, but very happy with how they all turned out! Please feel free to grab a copy or two :)

Some moody weather and skies outside the front door this afternoon #japan #garden #kyoto

Spent last week in rural Kochi, mostly documenting the numerous chinkabashi (submersible bridges) which can be found all along the prefecture’s many great rivers

Dining out in the Japan Alps

A rocky little campground at the base of a rocky little mountain, high in the northern Japan Alps

It’s now been over a year since I laid cobblestones between the house and the kura (storehouse), and it finally has a nice aged look. I plan to cobble more when I’ve collected enough flat(ish) stones from the nearby river!

I’m usually always behind the camera, but I did some modeling in the Japan Alps for a famous watch brand, so I got some rare selfies in return #japan #mountains

Doing some yard work at my place in Otaru (it’s amazing how high the weeds get here) and discovered a healthy population of extremely long leeches in the garden

Even towards the end of July, there are still a number of extensive snowfields to cross on the approach to Tsurugi-dake (2999m) in the northern Japan Alps

High in the North Japan Alps, heading towards misty peaks

Of Japan’s three holy mountains - the other two being Mt Fuji and Mt Haku - Tateyama (3015m) in Toyama Prefecture is, for me, the most enjoyable to climb and features the most spectacular scenery

Due to its challenging terrain, Tsurugi-dake (2999m) was the last peak to be officially climbed in Japan. But when surveyors first climbed it in 1907, they were surprised to discover a rusted sword and staff (dating back to approx 800 AD) at the summit…

Plenty of snow remaining high up in the North Japan Alps

Kenzanso might just be the most beautifully situated mountain hut in the whole of the Japan Alps #japan #hiking #mountains

It’s been a hot couple of days in rural Kyoto, but still haven’t had to use the aircon yet this year - one of the benefits of living in an old and dark house! #summer #japan #kyoto

Lots of mukade (centipedes) around at the moment - a fact of life in the Japanese countryside. Got stung by one for the first time recently, the pain is pretty intense!

Camping high up in Japan’s Southern Alps, not a bad view to wake up to #japan #hiking #mtfuji #landscapes

A big bend on the 196km-long Shimanto-gawa in Kochi Prefecture, Japan’s longest river with no major dams

Found a juvenile aodaisho (Japanese rat snake) curled up in the persimmon tree today, a good place to escape the rain #japan #wildlifephotography #nature

Feeling reflective at Taisho-ike, one of the most scenic spots along the Azusa River at Kamikochi #japan #mountains #outdoors #landscapes

I used to consider myself a 晴れ男 (guy who brings sunny weather), but the heavy rain has followed me from Shikoku back to Kyoto. The local river is completely overflowing this morning

The view from my hotel room in Shikoku is distracting me from the important task of watching the World Cup

The tiny alpine resort of Kamikochi in the Japan Alps has become a tourist hotspot in recent years, but few visitors see the valley from high vantage points such as this

Capturing the shadow from the summit of Mt. Fuji (3776m) #japan #hiking #mountains

There is talk of introducing entry fees for visitors to Kamikochi, the tiny and picturesque mountain resort in the Japan Alps. I don’t mind that much, but I do wish hut & camping prices would return to pre-Covid levels - ¥4000 to camp and ¥16,000 for a night in a hut is a joke

Sunrise from high on ridge in Japan’s North Alps

Ideally I’d spend most of the Japanese summer high up in the alpine zone at around 3000 metres…

The front garden is suddenly looking a bit wild, need to tidy it up a bit this weekend #japan #garden

Climb any big mountain in central Honshu and there’s a good chance that Mt Fuji will be visible somewhere in the distance… #japan #mountains #nature #hiking