On my first trip to Japan in fall 2024, I brought an iPhone 16 Pro and a Leica D-Lux 8 to document the journey. The following photo essay offers a glimpse of a city I had, until then, only known from films.

Traveling somewhere for the first time is always a blend of expectation and reality, and I think photos are a great way to preserve these moments. Holding a camera helps me take in new sensations—especially in a place like Japan, where they can be overwhelming—and gives me a reason to pause. Still, many images only reveal their meaning later, when I’m sifting through the hundreds captured so easily in the digital age, searching for the few worth sharing.

Highlights that stayed with me include the lush greenery of the Palace Gardens, the geometric perfection of Ginza’s skyscrapers, and close-up details of the meals we tasted.