I spent a month doing the Japan Travel internship, travelling around the Kansai region and the Seto Inland Sea. It was a terrific experience of going a little bit deeper into the places and discovering their stories, particularly the hidden or little explored gems.
The highlights are numerous - attending the gorgeously exhibited Kyotographie, Kyoto's top-notch annual photography festival, and seeing new work; discovering Osaka's vibrant design scene and falling in love with Truck Furniture; spending a week exploring a small part of Kagawa, namely Naoshima and Shodoshima; and finding a moment of peace at Ise-Shima's shrines on a rainy day. Of course, experiences are formed by the people we meet along the way, and I made so many great friends.
This programme allowed me to think beyond Japan's obvious charms and gave me the flexibility to work on stories that were of interest to me, namely art, photography, design and food. It was also great to work with the JT team and editorial members who helped me in my travels and in my internship. Truly a great experience for anyone with a nose for stories and a keen appreciation of Japan.
