Today is my birthday and I’ve decided to start writing more and sharing more of my work, projects, and the things that inspire me in 2025.
I often find myself lost in my own thoughts, as if a heavy cloud is hovering over my head. Overthinking comes naturally to me, and it’s not always easy to quiet my mind.
In January, I started writing morning pages, and after reading a few inspiring books, I came to a simple but important realization—the only way forward for me is to write and share with the world.
I’ve never considered myself a good writer, and speaking feels even more challenging. So, I’ll start with what feels a little more comfortable for me right now—writing.
For my first post, I thought it would be fun to share some interesting facts about me:
I got a degree in International law. But life has a way of surprising us. At 24, I left that part of my life behind and started creating with a camera I received as a wedding gift.
When I was 14, I learned HTML and built my own webpage about Japanese anime. It became surprisingly popular, and one day, I received a package filled with souvenirs from a boy in another country as a thank-you. For the first time ever I got a perfume.
I got a tattoo on my hand simply because, one day, my husband asked if I had ever wanted one. In that moment, I thought-why not? The image of a cherry blossom immediately came to mind. It reminds me of my creative side. Many memories are connected with it.
All my warmest childhood memories are tied to summers spent at my grandmother’s summer cottage—the wooden yellow house my dad built, nestled among big apple trees. Three months of pure freedom, far from school and city life.
When I was 14, I started writing a book-but never finished it. It all began with a map of a town I sketched in a big notebook my parents bought me.
I’m an introvert at heart, and big social gatherings can feel overwhelming. And yet, somehow, I have friends all over the world.
The summer I first started practicing photography, I took only one fixed manual lens on a trip to the Czech Republic with my parents. With no autofocus and only one focal length, I had no choice but to learn manual focusing-and that’s how I truly learned to see.
Some of the people who inspire me most are Hayao Miyazaki, Joe Hisaishi, Tove Jansson, Claude Monet, and Peter Lindbergh. They each followed their own path, no matter what.
I believe that choosing a profession should be about finding a tool that helps you as much as it helps others. Photography, for me, is first and foremost a healing tool. It allows me to see the world in a more positive and beautiful way. I believe art has the power to manifest things, to shape our own reality. A camera captures the truth of the world-the way things exist. And in that way, it’s a tool for seeing life from a new perspective. Isn’t that incredible?
Right now, I’m learning how to live a slow life in one of the fastest cities in the world, Dubai.
Day 1 — Arrival in Osaka & First Onsen Night Route: Kansai Airport → Fushio Kaku onsen ryokan
We arrived in Osaka late at night after a long journey from Dubai. We took a flight via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. I still smile thinking about the small detail that felt so typically Japanese — you can’t fill out your form in any color other than blue or black. After clearing immigration, we picked up our Ninja WiFi SIM card, rented a Toyota car, and drove to a quiet mountain ryokan — Fushio Kaku Onsen.
The room had tatami floors and an outdoor onsen on the balcony, steaming in the cold night. Wrapped in yukatas, we had dinner prepared by an elderly chef downstairs in the cafe— small dishes arranged beautifully.
After a traditional Japanese breakfast, we visited family in Kobe and shared stories before driving toward Engyoji Temple. It’s reached by a ropeway and hidden in the forest. It was a really nice walk with almost nobody around.
By evening, we arrived in Onomichi town, staying in a 100-year-old wooden house with sliding doors and creaking floors. Dinner was simple — Onomichi ramen and gyoza in a local shop. We visited a Lawson convenience store and bought different Japanese snacks and sweet for breakfast.
Engyoji Temple
Day 3 — Onomichi, Cat Alley & Miyajima Route:Onomichi → Miyajimaguchi→ Itsukushima Island → Mine
Morning in Onomichi feels like a film — soft light, old houses on hills, and cats stretching on stone paths. We climbed to Senkoji Park, walked along Cat Alley, and admired tiny temples and handwritten notes pinned on walls.
Later, we drove to Miyajimaguchi, took the ferry to Itsukushima Island, and walked along the beach at low tide to see the floating Torii Gate up close.
That night we stayed in a cozy guesthouse in Mine, sharing dinner with locals. It turned into my first long Japanese conversation.
Mountain Ropeway to Senkoji ParkOnomichi town from the hill
Route: Mine → Akiyoshido Cave → Sugao no Taki Waterfall → Asakura We spent the morning exploring Akiyoshidō Cave, one of Japan’s largest limestone caves. Then we stopped by the clear blue Beppu Benten Pond nearby and Sugao no Taki Waterfall after crossing the bridge to Kyushu island.
We spent the night in Asakura, in an old Japanese home in a quite neighborhood. The rain was falling outside and it was a good excuse to spend the evening at home.
Day 5 — Asakura, Hita & Beppu
Route:Asakura → Akizuki Castle Ruins → Hita → Bungo Mori Roundhouse→ Beppu We started the day at the Akizuki Castle Ruins, surrounded by early cherry blossoms. Then we drove to Hita, a charming town with canals and wooden houses that look unchanged for decades. We visited the Bungo Mori Roundhouse, a train museum featured in Suzume, which I loved.
By evening, we reached Beppu, famous for its hot springs. After dinner in a sushi cafe, we booked a private family onsen to enjoy the evening together.
Day 6 — Beppu’s Hells & Yufuin
Route:Beppu → Yufuin Morning visits to the Hells of Beppu (Jigoku) felt surreal — steaming blue and red pools surrounded by palms and cherry trees. After lunch, we drove to Yufuin, a small mountain town full of cafés, handmade shops, and onsens.
We stayed in a ryokan with an old-fashioned charm. It had its on private stone onsen.
Route:Yufuin → Mount Aso→ a cabin in Hisaishi, Minamiaso After breakfast, we visited the Yufuin Floral Village and Retro Museum, then continued toward Mount Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano. The landscapes changed into wide open plains and smoky peaks. When a siren suddenly went off, we realized how alive this mountain still is.
Our stay that night was in a tiny cabin surrounded by mountains. A very unique experience inded.
Route:Takachiho Gorge → Amaterasu Railway → Amanoyasukawara Cave → Cape Hyuga We woke up to 1°C and frost outside our little cottage — thankful for our warm jackets. At Takachiho Gorge, we missed the boats (book online in advance!) but enjoyed a peaceful walk through the canyon. The Amaterasu Railway offered an open-air ride over Japan’s highest train bridge — complete with bubbles and mountain views. Then, we visited the sacred Amanoyasukawara Cave, where thousands of stones are stacked as prayers to the sun goddess. We ended the day at Cape Hyuga, watching the Pacific sunset before staying overnight in a cozy wooden cabin.
Day 9 – From Kyushu to Shikoku
Route:Miyazaki → Ferry to Shikoku → Ozu A rainy morning and a small adventure with ferry tickets — always double-check your payment and bring cash! The one-hour ferry ride connected us from Kyushu to Shikoku, where cherry trees lined the roads and even the highway played music. We stopped at a beautiful playground under blooming sakura, then reached Ozu, often called the Little Kyoto of Iyo. We visited Ozu Castle and stayed in a traditional inn — one of our favorite stays of the trip.
Route:Ozu → Garyu Sanso → Minetopia Besshi → Takamatsu After a traditional Japanese breakfast, we visited Garyu Sanso, a serene riverside villa with Kyoto-style architecture. Then we explored Minetopia Besshi, an old mining town turned theme park. By evening, we reached Takamatsu, where the cherry blossoms glowed under paper lanterns — our first real hanami celebration among locals.
Day 11 – Awaji Island & Kobe
Route:Takamatsu → Awaji Island → Kobe We stopped at Naruto Mountain Lookout, the Uzu no Oka Onaruto Bridge Museum, and Awaji Hanasajiki flower fields — famous for their endless blooms and sweet Awaji onions. Later, we hiked to Kaikyo Observatory, where a rainbow appeared just after the rain. That evening, we reached Kobe, reunited with family, and enjoyed sushi at home — the calmest evening of the trip.
Day 12 – Nara Park
Route:Kobe → Nara We spent the day with gentle deer and blooming cherry trees at Nara Park. Lunch was at a small udon café by the lake, where the girls fed deer crackers. Our hotel overlooked the park, with tatami floors and tea served at check-in — peaceful and authentic, just like old Japan.
Day 13 – Goodbye, Japan
Route: Nara → Kansai Airport We woke up early for one last walk in Nara before the crowds arrived. We visited Tōdai-ji Temple, where our family squeezed through the “Buddha’s nostril” for good luck.
After that, it was time to drive to the airport for our flight to Singapore.
Japan once again felt like home — kind people, beautiful order, and quiet magic in every detail. It’s a country that truly opens your heart.
This trip reminded me of what I love most — quiet places, real connections, and the beauty of ordinary days. It wasn’t about ticking places off a list, but about noticing how light falls on a wooden table, how people bow when they say thank you, how every moment can be a story.
Ozu town, Minetopia Besshi and Takamatsu city with Hanami in the evening in the park
2.04.2025
Breakfast location in OzuI liked to wear Nukata provided by hotels:)
Our hotel included a Japanese-style breakfast. This meant that each person was served on a separate tray with several small bowls containing food like fish, omelet, seaweed, rice, miso soup, and tofu. You won’t find this kind of breakfast in Europe.
The kids got sausages, omelet, fish, and rice. Even the girls ate something!
My breakfast set.
The hotel rooms were scattered across the old town, and we had to walk about a minute from the main reception. The breakfast area was in another building, under the tower. The day before, we were shown a lounge area with drinks that were already included.
streets in Ozu
Garyu Sanso
After this unique breakfast experience, we went to Garyu Sanso, a traditional Japanese house built around 1902 by a wealthy merchant. A lady showed us around and explained that the architects were from Kyoto. The house had been planned for ten years and built over four. Every detail was carefully thought out. We had bought tickets the day before at Ōzu Castle and weren’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be one of the best traditional houses we’ve visited. Everything was well maintained, and the garden, with its view over the river and mountains, was breathtaking. We went in the morning, and it wasn’t busy at all.
After that, we headed toward our next destination, making a few stops along the way.
I found a nice theme parkMinetopia Besshi about mining, where we spent an hour or even more. A train took us to the entrance, and from there, we went inside a tunnel in the mountain to explore the life of miners in Japan. I couldn’t translate much because there was no internet connection inside the cave, but there were installations and a movie about their lives. The kids enjoyed the slides and exhibits.
The train ride through the bridge and tunnel was definitely the highlight of this stop.
The train was not busy and we easily found places to enjoy the ride:)
Takamatsu city and park with cherry blossom
Our next destination was Takamatsu, a seaside city—much bigger than I expected!
Entrance to our place in Takamatsu
After checking in, we went for a walk and saw a park with a castle. It was around 7 p.m., and people were going inside, so we decided to follow.
Entrance in the evening was free. A pathway lined with paper lanterns led to something intriguing.
Takamatsu in the evening
It turned out to be a spot filled with cherry trees in full bloom. Japanese people had gathered there for hanami, the tradition of enjoying a meal with friends under the sakura blossoms. The paper lanterns hanging everywhere gave the place a magical atmosphere. I hadn’t expected to experience such beauty! In Kyoto or Tokyo, it would have been impossible to enter due to the crowds, but here, the park was peaceful.
Even though it was dark, the park looked magical
How lucky we were!
Day 11
Awaji island, Kaikyo Observatory and Kobe
03.04.2025
The sun came out, and the sky was filled with fluffy clouds, making the journey even more enjoyable.
I picked three stops along the way to admire the bridges crossing the sea around Awaji Island.
Our first stop was Naruto Mountain Lookout. We paid for access to the escalator with a glass roof—it was fun riding it up to see the view.
We took the elevator to the top. Although you can hike up to the hill.
Next, we visited the Uzu no Oka Onaruto Bridge Memorial Museum, which had a giant onion statue and a view of the bridge from the other side. Awaji is known as Japan’s “onion island.” Their onions are incredibly sweet!
We had lunchthere and ordered a local set with Awaji beef and onions. The beef was tender and juicy, and the onions were unbelievably sweet—I’ve never eaten onions like that before!
Onions and beef. Onion family:)
We also stopped by a flower field with views of the sea and Kobe in the distance—Hyogo Prefecture Awaji Hanasajiki, where vibrant yellow blossoms stretched under the blue sky. The view was stunning.
Our last stop before reaching Kobe was a hike to the Kaikyo Observatory (the parking was here). The trail was half easy, half challenging, with steep stairs leading up the hill. But the climb was worth it. Rain started to fall midway, and after it passed, the sun came out—and a rainbow appeared for a few minutes. I wish we could’ve seen it from the top, but even catching a glimpse made us so happy.
Kobe in the background
Tonight, we stayed with relatives for one night. For the first time, we could leave the girls and go for a walk to the nearby shop—just the two of us. We searched for some rice seasoning and simply enjoyed the peaceful evening. We bought sushi, even with a little evening discount, and had a cozy sushi dinner together at home.
Day 12
Nara park. Cherry trees and deers
04.04.2025
Today we’re heading to Nara Park—our last destination of this trip. Thanks to Google Maps, we found a nice parking spot near the park. We took a trail through the forest to enter the park. I knew it would be crowded, and it was!
It was so nice to have sunny weather to walk in the park
We’re not fans of crowds, so we tried to stay away from the busiest areas. That’s why we decided to go have lunch instead.
I remembered a small udon place by the lake, so we headed straight there. To my surprise, it wasn’t too busy. We waited just a little inside while the girls fed some nearby deer with crackers we purchased at the same place.
The same old man served us as last year. We ordered three bowls—with beef, egg, and tofu.
One thing I noticed—and it might sound obvious—is that the best time to visit touristy places like Nara is either before 9 AM or after 5 PM. We got to see the park both in the evening and again the next morning.
We checked into our hotel after 3 PM. I knew it was close to Nara Park, but it turned out to be right in front of it! We could even see the deer from our window. I honestly think we had the best room in the entire hotel.
The view from our hotel roomLocal sweets and tea served in the room
It was also the first hotel in Japan where we had to take off our shoes immediately upon entering the building. So basically, everyone was walking around barefoot or in socks throughout the hotel. A tea ceremony was being served while we checked in, and afterward, we were shown to our room. There, we were greeted with local sweets and a pot of hot tea.
I’m so glad I found this place—truly one of the best choices we’ve ever made. 😊
The view from our living roomTaiyaki in the same shop as last yearMatcha Ice-cream
It was a sweet evening spent among gentle, rambling deer and blooming cherry trees.
Alex and girls enjoyed the boat ride in the evening
In the evening, we stopped by one of the Japanese fast food chains, Mos Burger. I wanted to try their fish in a lettuce wrap—no bread, just fish, sauce, and a bit of lettuce. It was actually really nice. Another option they offer is a rice wrap with fillings like beef, seafood, or shrimp.
Sleeping on futons one last time in Japan
Day 13
Nara park in the morning and saying bye to Japan…
05.04.02025
Our last day in Japan, and I don’t want to leave…🥹 Yes, we got tired from changing places every single day and constantly being on the move, but the experience we had was so worth it.
Journeys like this open new corners of your brain and heart, I believe. You learn more about yourself and your family members. It’s not always easy — different sleeping habits were the most challenging for me. And the jet lag in the beginning definitely cost me a few nerve cells during those first three days.
Instead of sleeping in the last day, I suggested we grab the chance: wake up early and visit the places in Nara that are usually crowded. We stepped outside around 7 a.m. and had the best time — just us, the deer, and a few tourists.
We went inside the temple with the big Buddha and enjoyed a peaceful walk. On our way back to the city for breakfast around 8:30, we passed hundreds of tourists heading in the opposite direction, toward Nara Park. I felt so happy we had gone for a walk that early.
Tōdai-ji (東大寺) in Nara is one of Japan’s most iconic and historically significant temples
Inside the Great Buddha Hall, there was this wooden pillar with a hole at its base. It is said to be the same size as the Great Buddha’s nostril! The one who can squeeze through it will get enlightenment in the next life or at least enjoy good luck and health:)
Three members of our family managed to squeeze in:) Alex didn’t believe I would do it but I did!😄
Only because we went at 7-8 am there were few people and no lines!
Happy me with deers
I have never been so close to deers. People say that they might be aggressive but we had luck:)
Deers and nobody around. This is what you can see when you come early:)
Our flight to Singapore was scheduled for 5 p.m., so we decided to check out from our hotel at 11 a.m. and slowly make our way to the airport. We hoped to stop by somewhere interesting along the way, but there wasn’t much — the drive was mostly along the highway over the city and took about an hour.
The reason we chose Japan again is that, for us, it’s a country that offers the best family experience. From the friendly people and their humble behavior in shops, hotels, on the streets and roads, to the enchanting nature, delicious food, and the best free toilets everywhere — everything makes our trip amazing for the second time.
Here, I don’t want my camera to stay in the bag for long — I feel comfortable and happy. I also think that knowing some Japanese makes the trip much easier and more stress-free.
Thank you for following our journey and reading my diary. Writing helps me preserve these memories for even longer — like little treasures I can come back to anytime. 🙂
We woke up to 1 degree outside. There was a thin layer of frost on the ground next to our house!
When I see mountains in the background my heart sings.You can see a thin layer of ice on the ground!Mountains, flowers, and a bit of ice
Every day, we think about how wise it was to pack warm jackets on our trip to Japan. Otherwise, we would have spent time searching for clothes in shops, wasting precious hours.
Takachiho Gorge
Our first destination of that day was Takachiho Gorge. I will be honest, this is the place I saw a year ago in a booklet about Japan and knew that this would be our next destination in Japan. The drive was one hour, and we left our house at 7:45 AM to arrive before 9 AM, just because the boat ticket office opened at 8:30 AM. We were the last car to park (no more parking spaces available) and went to check if tickets were available.
We should have booked online—otherwise, you have to wait 3–4 hours to get on the boat. Moreover, only three people were allowed per boat. If you have preschoolers, you can be four. In our case, we would have needed two boats… Here you can read all the information and book a boat.
Anyway, we decided to just go for a walk, and it turned out to be the best option in our situation. It was freezing outside, and I couldn’t imagine how people were rowing in such weather. There was a waterfall, and people were trying not to go under it and get wet.
I think the best time to visit this magnificant place is summer—or at least when it’s warm outside. When it’s hot, I believe it must be a perfect experience. But not with 8 degrees outside!
The walk was amazing. We really enjoyed the stroll, and since we arrived early, it wasn’t busy at all—a joyful time. It wasn’t raining, and I was happy about that.
Amaterasu Railway
Next, we went to Amaterasu Railway. It’s an open-air train with no roof, and you sit facing each other, unlike in a usual train. It operates from 9:40 AM to 3:40 PM.
The view of the railway station
We managed to buy tickets on-site. The departure was in 40 minutes, so we visited the small train museum nearby.
On the highest train bridge in Japan!
The ride was really nice. We passed under cherry trees, saw spectacular views of Takachiho, and the most exciting part was crossing Japan’s highest train bridge, where we could see the gorge from above. The bridge is no longer in use for regular trains, but it remains open for this tourist train to pass through. We stopped in the middle and were allowed to stand and take photos.
There were two drivers, one on each side of the train, and they started blowing bubbles to make the experience even more fun.
Our ride through tunnels and picturesque views
Amanoyasukawara
Our next stop was Amanoyasukawara—a mystical cave believed to be the place where the sun goddess, Amaterasu, hid in a famous Japanese Shinto legend. Thousands of stacked stones were left by visitors as offerings or prayers.
The sun came out, and the walk was so serene and enjoyable that I could have stayed there all day. The bridge over the river, the stairs, the winding paths—it was all beautiful.
On our walk to the cave, we stopped by a small cafe Amaterasu no Kakure Terrace to buy ice cream for the kids.
Green tea and vanilla ice-cream on our way to the caveInside the cave, a view of the river and thousands of rock stackings!
We stepped off the main path and walked along the stone beach, where the river divided into two streams. I loved that you could find a quiet spot away from the crowds. Sometimes, many people passed by; other times, it was completely peaceful.
The view I can enjoy the whole day
For lunch, we ate at SAKUYA 弐の丸 restaurant. They served Takachiho beef sirloin set, and it was amazing!
Takachiho beef sirloin set
Skeluccha Viewing Deck and Cape Hyuga Observation Deck
Our next stops were Skeluccha Viewing Deck and Cape Hyuga Observation Deck—breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. During sunset, everything looked spectacular. The landscape reminded me a bit of Mauritius, probably because of the tall palm trees growing in this region.
There was almost nobody around. The whole ocean just for us
Tonight, we were staying in a small wooden cottage. The bathroom and toilet were in a separate cabin—two shared bathrooms and toilets for two families. I think in summer, this would be a perfect getaway. But in our case, it was too cold to sit on the terrace, so we just grabbed dinner from 7-Eleven, ate inside, and went to bed.
Day 9
From Kyushu to Shikoku
01.04.2025
The cottage we stayed in MiyazakiThe house was small but very cozy
It was raining in the morning, and it was cold… I was a bit upset because I had found a big playground for the girls and was planning to stop by for a while. We did stop just to have a look, and the place looked really great. When it’s warm outside, there must be so many kids playing there. The ocean view also adds charm to the location.
The drive took 2 hours. This time, we took a road with no resting spots, which felt a bit odd. But I found a huge playground with a toilet and vending machines. The girls had a few rides down the slides and didn’t want to leave.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time. The ferry was scheduled to depart at 1 PM, and we had to arrive at least 30 minutes before.
The Ticket Drama
Buying the ferry tickets was an adventure in itself. It could have gone very wrong for us, but luckily, we managed to buy them online.
As a rule, I usually read Google reviews, and many people mentioned that they had bought their tickets the night before. Some even claimed they just arrived at the port and purchased them on-site.
So, on March 31st in the evening, after checking into our cabin, I decided to look up ferry tickets online. (You need to translate the entire website using an online translator—otherwise, there’s no chance. No English version!) I selected our departure port—there were only two options: Kyushu or Shikoku—and saw no tickets available for any time slot. From 7 AM to 11 PM—nothing!
I rubbed my eyes. Was this a joke? But no, nothing had changed. I checked April 2nd, and there were plenty of tickets available. That’s when we started realizing that this could completely ruin our plans because the ferry was the only way to get from Kyushu to Shikoku.
We called our relative in Japan for help, but he was driving and said he’d check later. Meanwhile, Alex decided to refresh the page—and suddenly, evening time slots appeared! Plenty of them. I told him to wait and see if morning or afternoon slots would also open up. And you know what? They actually did!
We started booking tickets for our car. We had to enter the car’s specifications, including the plate number in Japanese kanji, which is usually placed next to the numbers. Without my Japanese knowledge, this wouldn’t have been easy! 😅
Additionally, the driver’s name had to be written in Katakana. We used Google Translate and just copied it. (Whoever invented Google Translate- thank you so much!)
We wanted to pay by card, but the system didn’t accept foreign cards. 😅 However, the money was pending on our account, and the confirmation email gave us no instructions on what to do—it looked as if we had already paid.
Adventures in the Port
We arrived 40 minutes early and were shown where to park and wait. The ferry was fully booked, and we felt so relieved that we had secured our tickets online.
But when the staff started checking tickets, we realized we hadn’t actually paid yet! 🫣
Alex ran with one of the staff members to the ticket office to show our reservation and pay for it. He made it back just one second before we had to board the ferry.
Sometimes, unbelievable things happen to us—just in time! How? I have no idea.
So, if you ever buy ferry tickets online, make sure to visit the ticket office at the port to get a printed ticket and pay if you used an international credit card. That way, you’ll have peace of mind! 😅
The Ferry Ride & Arrival in Shikoku
The ferry ride took one hour. There wasn’t much to buy on board, so the kids were a bit hungry. In the end, I bought KitKats and onigiri—at least something!
Also, a tip: In many places in Japan, they only accept cash! Make sure to withdraw enough before arriving at the ferry port.
After the ferry, the road was lined with cherry trees in full bloom. There was even a short section where the road played music while driving! I never knew such things even existed.
We decided to stop and let the girls play after the long drive.
And you know what?! It was the best playground ever—even for adults! 😅 I couldn’t resist and went down two slides myself. The cherry trees were in full bloom, and we were surrounded by falling sakura petals—it felt like a dream. The park was almost empty, except for one Japanese family having lunch under the cherry blossoms.
Exploring Ozu – The “Little Kyoto of Iyo”
Our next stop was Ozu, often called the “Little Kyoto of Iyo” because of its preserved old town, castle, and traditional atmosphere.
We arrived at Ozu Castle just in time—it closes at 5 PM, and we got there at 4 PM, so we had enough time to enjoy it. Inside, we saw how samurais used to live, which was fascinating.
Ozu CastleThe view of the Ozu city
Then, we checked into our hotel—one of the most expensive place we stayed in Japan. But it was worth every yen. The service, the house, and the entire experience left us amazed.
In the evening, we went to have dinner in a very nice restaurant recommended by our hotel. Ozurobata Aburaya with authentic choice of dishes.
Breakfast was included but served at a different location, just a 3-minute walk from where we stayed. It was a traditional Japanese-style breakfast—a perfect way to start the next day.
Today, we had breakfast in the hotel (湯の里葉山) where we stayed in Beppu. It was on the same floor as our room. We were asked in advance what time we wanted breakfast to be served. At 8 AM, we took just a few steps along the corridor and found ourselves in a hall with three tables set for breakfast. A lovely old lady showed us to our table.
The view of our room in Beppu
In the first ryokan hotel near Osaka, we had a buffet breakfast with many Japanese dishes to choose from. This time, the table was already set with food—Japanese style. I think I am even more open to food choices now, but I believe not everyone would like some of the dishes. Still, we were very happy—firstly, because breakfast was provided by the hotel (so no need to go to a convenience store to buy food), and secondly, because it was a fully Japanese-style breakfast. After a while, two more Japanese families joined the room. We only saw Japanese guests in this hotel, which, to me, is a good sign—it means local people like to stay here! 🙂
Our breakfast in the hotel
Hells of Beppu
Our first stop was the popular Hells of Beppu. I was a bit worried because I had read that it gets very busy. So I suggested we go as early as possible, just to see what it looks like. We arrived at 9 AM and parked without any problems. The ticket office was also quick, and we bought tickets for six jigoku (which means “hell” in Japanese). This place is famous for its unique and colorful hot springs. You can’t bathe in them, but you can admire a collection of geothermal pools.
Hells of Beppu. THis view of cherry blossoms and palms was mind-blowing
It was a great idea to come early. We spent quite a lot of time at the first jigoku because it wasn’t crowded yet, and the scenery was so breathtaking that I wanted to take photos of everything.
Can you imagine seeing palm trees and cherry blossoms in full bloom in the same location? And white steam rising into the air? Just fascinating. The kids and Alex started getting annoyed with me being so slow, but it was worth it. At the end of the trail, we found a footbath with hot spring water. You could just sit down and soak your feet—amazing!
Hot springs, palms and foot onsets. One love
When we left, we saw a huge line at the ticket office. It was getting very busy, but we still really enjoyed the experience. It took us a few hours, but it was worth it.
We walked around a bit, tried some sweets, and enjoyed the atmosphere. Today was quite cold, around 12°C! So it was a good idea to bring warm jackets, mittens, scarves, and hats for this trip.
At 2 PM, we went to a mall for lunch and to buy some clothes at UNIQLO, a Japanese clothing store. It has a great variety for kids, and we bought some nice clothes for them. I didn’t get anything special, but in the next shop, which had local Japanese items… I wish we had more time! But we didn’t, otherwise, I definitely would have found something nice.
After 5 PM, we drove to our next destination—Yufuin town. It was only a 40-minute drive from the Beppu mall. The funny thing was that it took us 20 minutes just to get out of the mall parking lot! The traffic was so slow.
Up on the hill on our way from Beppu to Yufuin
The scenery on the way was breathtaking. We drove through dense forests, and then suddenly, we found ourselves in an open mountain landscape with no trees—just yellow and orange soil, almost like Iceland.
At the top of the hill, there was a viewpoint, and I wanted to stop to take some photos. It was 6°C and so windy! My hands were freezing, but it was still worth it to walk around a bit.
The place we checked into today is on the outskirts of Yufuin town, which is also known for its onsens. It was already dark when we arrived, so we didn’t see much of the scenery, but we’ll explore it tomorrow. The place is really nice—so clean and well-equipped for a great stay. It even has its own onsen! I’ll take a photo tomorrow in daylight. The kids loved the bath.
Our private onsen in the room
For dinner, we walked to a restaurant recommended by our host. It took us 30 minutes to get there. It was cold, but we enjoyed the walk through town.
If you didn’t already know the location, you would never guess there was a restaurant there—hidden on the first floor, around the corner. The place was an izakaya, serving sushi, sashimi, and fried dishes. The sushi just melted in our mouths—it was fantastic. Such a great experience!
Day 7
30.03.2025. Yuifuin town and Mount Aso
I wanted to visit the onsen again this morning. With a perfect view of the forests and mountains, it was once again a wonderful experience.
The view from our bedroom. It was cold but sunnyThis is the morning view of the mountain from the onsen room
Yufuin floral village
Our first destination was Yufuin Floral Village, which is essentially a small street lined with shops selling Ghibli and other character-themed items. If you’re a true fan of these anime, you can find plenty of charming things to buy.
People are gathering near the entrance to the Floral VillageTime spent in a cafe with Bengal cats. One hot drink was included in the price
There was also a café with Bengal cats, and we decided to go inside. You pay an entrance fee, which includes one drink, and you can stay for up to 30 minutes. I had never actually touched a Bengal cat before, and one of them looked just like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. The café’s main theme was actually inspired by the book! 🙂
Amelia chose a Totoro snack box bag and a set of snack boxes for school. Milana bought a small shoulder bag featuring the soot sprites from My Neighbor Totoro. I got a pair of Moomin socks, and Alex picked out a small Suzuki car model. Everyone was happy with their finds.
Afterwards, we had to embark on a bit of a quest to find a toilet. The town had become so crowded with tourists that it wasn’t easy. To be fair, this was the first time in Japan we had to walk a bit longer to find one.
I have to say—Japan is, hands down, the best country we’ve visited so far in terms of public toilets. And let’s be honest, knowing that you won’t have trouble finding a toilet makes any journey much more pleasant and stress-free—especially when traveling with kids!
Retro Museum in Yufuin
This time, however, it was too crowded, and the public restroom was busy. Amelia just couldn’t wait. That’s when I spotted a Retro Museum across the street. We rushed over, paid the entrance fee, and—naturally—the first “retro” place we visited was the toilet.
Inside the Retro Museum. Worth visiting for sure.
The museum itself wasn’t crowded at all, and I can’t understand why. It was such an interesting place, filled with rooms designed to look like an old barbershop, izakaya, photo studio, and doctor’s office—just like from the era when my parents were born. I have no idea why more people don’t know about it! We spent over an hour exploring before we started getting hungry.
For lunch, we found a small café designed like an old-school canteen, serving just a few dishes: udon, ramen, fried bread, and various drinks. It felt like we were students again, ordering food and eating at school desks.
Ramen for adultsUdon soup for kids
After lunch, we escaped the town, which had become too crowded for us.
Mount Aso
Our next stop was Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan and one of the largest in the world. The scenery was completely different from anything we had seen in Japan before. It reminded us a little of Icelandic landscapes, yet it had its own distinct atmosphere.
Here we are, near the Mount Aso.
We walked to the lake and observation deck, then took the car to visit the Aso Nakadake Crater. The entrance fee was 1,000 yen for a car, and we were able to park right near the crater’s observation area.
A few minutes before the siren went off. It was too toxic outside near the volcano.
Near the entrance, there was a stand with four warning lights: blue, green, yellow, and red. The red one was blinking. That meant danger, which immediately made me nervous.
The view, however, was absolutely breathtaking—majestic nature right in front of our eyes. Just as we were taking some photos, I noticed a staff member walking toward us.
Within a minute, a loud siren started blaring. Those were some of the scariest moments of the day. It suddenly became difficult to breathe, and I could even taste acid on my tongue. We rushed back to the car and drove away.
Other cars were still heading up the hill, which suggested that the situation was still under control and that people could visit another observation deck. But for us, it was enough—we had definitely inhaled enough volcanic air for one day.
We bought a pack of strawberries on our way from the volcano.
Night in a tiny house far away from everything
Our next destination was a tiny wooden house on a hill in the town of Hisaishi. An old lady welcomed us warmly and brought out a piece of cake as a treat for the kids. She spoke only Japanese, so I could understand her a bit. I have no idea how tourist communicate without Japanese language😅
Our humble but cozy stay in this hut1 degree outside the next morning! But look at the view…
A Family Adventure Through Kyushu’s Stunning Landscapes We spent only two days in Miyazaki Prefecture, but it was so worth visiting this part of Japan! This place was actually the reason we chose to explore this island in the first place. 😊
27.03.2025 Staying in a Guesthouse in Mine, Akiyoshidō Cave, Beppu Benten Pond, and Sugao no Taki Waterfall.
A guesthouse in Mine
We had breakfast today at a guesthouse before checking out. The owner had left waffles packed for each guest in a box in the kitchen—the dining room—and we took them out and ate them with some jam served on the table. Milana couldn’t wake up again and had no breakfast. Well, it’s not easy to coordinate everyone with different sleeping schedules…
The weather was lovely today; it felt like spring. White and yellow daffodils were scattered along the way, along with other tiny spring flowers. More and more trees are starting to bloom. I think it will take a few more days until the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
Our first stop was Akiyoshidō Cave, which had been on my list for a while, and this guesthouse’s location was the reason I chose to stay nearby. This cave is one of Japan’s largest and most impressive limestone caves. It stretches over 9 kilometers, with about 1 kilometer open to the public.
Akiyoshidō Cave
It took us 18 minutes to drive there, and we arrived after 9 AM. The cave opens at 8:30, so our timing was perfect—almost nobody was at the entrance.
We paid 1,600 yen (about 11 dollars). The location and the cave were astonishing! I had seen pictures online, but no photos or videos can capture the excitement you feel upon entering. The walking path inside was 1 km long, with various stops where we could listen to information at stations placed in each cave hall.
There were many interesting and funny names for the rock formations—one of them was “Jellyfish Climbing the Waterfall,” a whimsical name for a stalactite formation that really did look like jellyfish swimming upward!
We originally planned to exit from the far end of the cave and walk back to the car.
However, on our way to the exit, we ran into the same lady who had stayed in the guesthouse that night. She told us that it was raining heavily outside, and we’d either need umbrellas or a taxi. Since we had forgotten our umbrellas in the car, we decided to go back through the cave and exit from the same entrance.
I’m glad we did! It gave me another chance to admire the bridge and the narrow yet massive entrance to the cave.
After that, we visited a small pond with clear, blue water. The place was very quiet and not busy. The kids were already very hungry, so they didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. We decided to set our next destination in the navigator—our stop for the night.
On the way, we stopped for lunch just before crossing the bridge to the island we were heading to—Kyushu Island.
Lunch with a view of the bridge to Kyushu Island.
Just a usual stop to grab a lunch with seafood with this amazing view!
I found awaterfallwith an abandoned temple nearby, so we decided to stop by. It was on our way, and we still had some time. Location of the parking lot is HERE.
By the way, the rain had stopped before we left the cave and didn’t start again until late at night, so we were able to enjoy the walk to the waterfall.
It was an amazing experience. The place itself was so unique, and sitting by the waterfall, just listening to the sound of the water, made it even better. I had read on Google Maps that the temple was abandoned, but someone is definitely taking care of it. There was even a toilet—with lights on! In such a remote place.
Asakura town – a place to stay
Our next stop for the night was in a town called Asakura, in a renovated traditional house—but this time with proper beds and amenities since the owner is from New Zealand.
Day 5
28.03.2025
Sugi no Baba, Akizuki Castle Ruins, Hita town, and Bungo Mori Roundhouse
Today was the first day we woke up late. By late, I mean everyone woke up around 9 AM—I woke up a bit earlier, at 7:30 AM.
Yesterday, I felt so tired and realized that we finally needed a longer rest. The distance to our next destination was only about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so we could take it easy and not be in a hurry. To be honest, I was expecting to be exhausted because the plan was quite intense—three to four hours of driving each day after two flights and jet lag… too much. That’s why the next few days won’t be about long distances but more about resting and exploring.
The house we stayed in today was really nice—all to ourselves. The owner even left eggs, milk, bread, cereal, and fruit. It was a very nice surprise.
I loved that three rooms had big glass sliding doors. You could just open them, and fresh air would rush into the room. From there, you could enjoy the Japanese garden in front of you. I even had green tea on the wooden terrace under the roof while the rain was falling. Everyone else was still sleeping, so I had my own quiet time. When we have our own house I would like to have such sliding doors for sure🙂
After breakfast, we packed up and drove to a nearby parking lot. I had read that there was a sakura alley and the remnants of an old castle in the city. The area is protected, with many old houses and well-preserved architecture.
It was raining heavily in the morning, so I believe that’s why the area wasn’t very busy. Mostly Japanese visitors and some Chinese tourists. We don’t see many tourists in the areas we’re exploring this time.
Sugi no Baba is a well-known road with seasonal cheery blossoms & fall leaves.
The alley turned out to be very charming. Even though cars could drive through it (which was an unpleasant surprise for me), it was still a lovely walk. We climbed the steep stone stairs to the Akizuki castle ruins. Nobody was there, and it felt like stepping into another reality. As we were descending, we saw a few people starting to go up.
Hita town
Our next stop was the town of Hita. We walked through the town, followed a narrow canal, admired the cherry blossoms, and found a nice local shop with souvenirs, including pottery. I finally saw something I wanted to buy. Lately, I’ve been trying to bring back only things I truly love and feel will bring me joy.
The rain stopped, and the sun came out. The girls had ice cream in a café we found after a short search. Amelia chose strawberry-milk ice cream in a cone, while Milana went for a yuzu-pepper flavor—both were delicious. I ordered pear and peach tea. Alex isn’t a big fan of sweets, so later he bought a cup of fried chicken wings in sauce from a tiny meat shop. It didn’t look promising to me, but according to him and Amelia, it was actually really good. 😅
Our next stop was Bungo Mori Roundhouse, a rail museum. I found it by accident while checking if any anime had used scenes from Kyushu. It turns out that the Japanese anime Suzume (available on Netflix) featured many locations from the places we’re planning to visit. This was one of them. There’s even a door from the movie—well, they put it there as proof that this location really inspired the film.
It was just us and one other couple—nobody else. I love that the places we’re visiting now are so quiet. Yes, it’s not always easy because many places have no English translations, and people don’t speak English. But at least I can understand a little and ask simple questions, which is very convenient.
Beppu hotel
Our final destination today is a hotel in Beppu, famous for its onsens (hot springs). It has the highest volume of hot spring water in Japan. On our way, we saw steam rising in the distance—it looked like Iceland and also reminded me of Spirited Away, where the main location was a big onsen.
Our hotel room had a private hot bath for one or two people, but we decided to use the family onsen instead. There were three private onsens and one public onsen. We were lucky to get the best option—a big private onsen.
You don’t need to reserve or pay extra for it; if you stay at this hotel, you can use it for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Then we went to a nearby sushi place, where you order from a screen, and your food arrives either on a conveyor belt or on a robot tray. It was so much fun!
25.03.2025 Kobe, Temple Engyoji and Onomichi town.
I haven’t received my film scans yet, so I used only photos taken with my phone. I’ll be adding more film photos from our trip soon.
I woke up today after 6:30 AM and, after a while, felt tired and sleepy, even though we went to bed before 10 PM—at least Amelia and I did. The time difference between Japan and the UAE is five hours, so it will take some time to adjust. This is why I didn’t plan anything grand for our first day after arrival.
We had breakfast at the hotel premises. It was our first time trying a Japanese-style breakfast—last year, we somehow skipped the opportunity. I loved it.
There was a big variety of vegetables, fish, salads, soups, eggs, and some sweets. The tray was a rectangular plate divided into nine small sections, allowing you to pick nine different dishes from the buffet. I loved that most of the dishes were savory and healthy, with very few sweets. The girls chose small bowls of broth with egg noodles, along with some sausages and bacon.
After 9 AM, we set off for Kobe to meet our relatives and spent a few hours there. They treated us to a delicious cake and green tea and even gave us sweets for the road—so lucky are we!
A cake our relatives bought for usSleeping on futons in Japan
The drive from Kobe to Onomichi took three hours. Along the way, I found a templeEngyoji, and we decided to stop by. To get there, we had to take a cable car, which was a lot of fun. We bought tickets from a machine and waited a little while. The place wasn’t busy.
Walking to Engyoji temple
We could have visited Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most famous castles, but instead, we chose a lesser-known spot. The cable car ride, the walk, and the temple itself were 100% worth visiting! We spent more time there than planned, but I’m glad we stopped.
A fun cable ride to the hillIn front of the temple Engyoji
One more thing we love about Japan is the vending machines with both hot and cold drinks—various teas, coffees, lemonades, etc.
You can even buy canned corn soup! That’s exactly what Amelia was asking for on our way to the temple. Unfortunately, the vending machines there were sold out.
Onomichi town
Our next destination was Onomichi, where we had booked a house on Airbnb—a 100-year-old house. We arrived at 7 PM. The landlord met us at the house and showed us around. We had to park our car a two-minute walk away.
By then, we were starving, but almost everything was already closed. Thankfully, thanks to Google Maps, we found a nice ramen place. I ordered the original Onomichi ramen, Alex got oyster ramen, and the girls wanted gyoza—fried dumplings with pork and herbs. Everything was delicious. The girls also ate half of my ramen. Probably, we should have ordered more.
Original Onomichi ramen
On our way back, we picked up some snacks for tomorrow’s breakfast. Usually, we either get something we already know and love or try completely new snacks and foods.
This time, we chose matcha daifuku-style crepes, namelaka cream soufflé (the same name that the café in Dubai and Kyiv is named after! And yes, it tastes just as soft and creamy), a boiled egg (for myself), sautéed root vegetables, matcha baumkuchen, crab sticks, a sakura bun, small sausages, jellies, and onigiri with salmon. After a nice evening walk, we went straight to bed.
Daifuku matcha pancakesNamelaka puddingMatcha bun from Muji
The weather has been pretty warm these past two days—much better than last year when Japan welcomed us with cold rains.
By the way, this the character in Osaka Expo 2025. “MYAKU-MYAKU”. I found this in Wikipedia: Myaku-Myaku is described as “a mysterious creature”, with a body composed of cells (red), and water (blue).
26.03.2025 Onomichi town, and a ferry ride to Itsukushima Shrine Otorii Gate
We had breakfast at the house, took a few photos and videos, and checked out at 8:30 AM because we were asked when we would be leaving. I suggested getting it done as early as possible so we could go for a walk in the city.
An old lady came to collect the keys. Usually, we check in without anyone involved, but this time was different. Maybe it’s common in Japan—I’m not sure. Last year, we were also met by a host who showed us around.
The view from the top of the Senkoji Temple Mountain Ropeway Base Station
To be honest, the weather was very warm and pleasant today. At some point, it even felt hot.
View of the Onomichi town
We walked down the hill and found a street dedicated to cats (Neko no Hosomichi) ! Although we saw only one, everything about it confirmed that it was indeed a “cat alley”—statues, paintings on the stone walls, and cat figurines scattered along the way.
After descending the stairs, I really wanted to take a video of the passing train and a traffic light. Well… it didn’t go as planned. My phone died at the exact moment the train passed by. I ended up recording it on my camcorder, though I had really wanted to use my phone today.
Places worth visiting in Onomichi:
Senkoji Park
Onomichi City Museum of Art
Bungakuno-Komichi
Cat Alley (Neko no Hosomichi)
Jikoji Temple
Senkoji Temple Mountain Ropeway Base Station
Shimanami Kaido Cycling Route
I saved a list of places I planned to visit with a family in case we got hungry. Obviously, we couldn’t eat in every place I saved, but I am sharing it here:
Miyajimaguchi town and Itsukushima Shrine Otorii Gate on Miyajima Island.
We set off for Miyajimaguchi (1.5 hour drive – I am giving a pin location of the parking we left our car), where the local specialties are eel with rice, oysters, and maple leaf-shaped sweets filled with chocolate, peach, green tea, bean paste, and more.
We had lunch at a small café that only serves eel and oysters. The kids weren’t too excited to try them but enjoyed the rice and miso soup that came with the sets. Alex ordered for us, but the waitress misunderstood and brought three sets instead of two. In the end, it turned out to be a good mistake! Next time, I think I should be in charge of ordering—I’ve never had an issue being understood.
View from the ferry on the way to the island with famous Torii in the waterJust in front of the Itsukushima Shrine Otorii Gate
With two hours left, we headed straight to the ferry station. We chose the red ferry (there was also a blue one). Alex had read somewhere that this one passes by the Torii gate in the water. In the end, we panicked and bought round-trip tickets from the machine at the last minute but still made it on time. We sat on the right side of the ship and had a perfect view of the torii gate.
On the island, we saw many deer roaming around, which was amazing. They weren’t aggressive at all and even let us pet them.
It was low tide, so we could walk up to the Itsukushima Shrine Otorii Gate. The water was freezing, but the experience was incredible.
Places to eat in Miyajimaguchi and Miyajima Island:
Anago places ( grilled Conger Eel served over rice):
The cake’s shape celebrates the island’s famous maple trees and the beauty of seasonal change. It’s one of the most popular omiyage (souvenirs) in Hiroshima and we also got one box with these maple-shaped sweets to Dubai.
After taking the ferry back to the mainland, we drove to our next stop: a guesthouse in Mine (2 hours drive) where we had a private room but shared bathroomsand toilets on the ground floor.
Our GuesthouseA family room in the house on the first floor. Parents slept on the futons, kids had their own bed;)
A totally new experience for us. We once stayed in a guest house in Ireland but we had our own bathroom and toilet and no dinner shared with a host.
A shared place where we brushed our teeth
We had dinner ( Japanese curry) together with the host and two other guests.
I have to say—I feel proud of myself today. I spoke Japanese for two hours with three Japanese people while sharing a meal. 🙂
I will share our yesterday and today’s route in Google maps just to remember:
Arrival in Osaka and first stay in a hotel with a private onsen.
Day 1. 24.03.2025
We arrived in Osaka. Ta-da!
Finally, it was a long flight—7 hours from Dubai to Singapore, followed by one hour of transit time, during which we had to take a bullet train and go to another terminal. Then, a 6-hour flight to Osaka.
In Singapore, we were given 4 disembarkation cards for foreigners. I decided to fill out the card in brown ink, and that was my mistake. We had to rewrite everything again upon arrival in Osaka. The difficult life of creatives who want to use unconventional inks… Only black and blue ink allowed..
We flew with Singapore Airlines, and both the plane and service were of very high quality.
Our first stop was a ryokan with a bathtub on the balcony 🥳.
Alex went to a normal public onsen in the hotel, but today I just wanted to enjoy a hot bath in our room. 🙂
We had a lovely dinner at a small noodle shop with only eight seats on the premises of the hotel. An old man cooked and served everything himself. I ordered entirely in Japanese—my personal achievement for the day! 🙂
These summer kimonos (yukatas) were provided by the hotel. Actually, there was a shelf stand with different colors and sizes available. This hotel follows a ryokan style, which means you have access to the onsen—hot bathtubs, both indoors and outdoors.
All guests can choose their favorite yukata and wear them around the hotel. We saw many guests wearing them for dinner and breakfast, not just when visiting the onsen.
When you go to the onsen, be aware that you must shower with soap first before entering the hot bathtubs. Soap, shampoo, and conditioner are all provided.
There are separate male and female bathing areas. I wasn’t quite ready to be naked in front of other women(🫣🫣), but I’ll probably try this experience later during our trip.
Here’s an interesting practice that also helps me rest my mind for a while. It wasn’t always like this.
Not at all.
But let me explain why I changed my mind—and how it changed my perception of this practice.
To start with, I am a messy person. I always hated tidying the house. Now, it’s funny to think back because, in my childhood, there were days when we would clean the house until it sparkled and shone. Can you guess when?
Before birthday parties, of course!
New Year, Christmas, and any other gathering. We had a big apartment and a lot of stuff at home. But I don’t think we ever managed to keep it clean for longer than two or three days.
Having kids makes everything even more complicated when you are a parent yourself. Sometimes, I envy the photos people post on social media of sparkling apartments, living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.
But let’s be realistic—you never know how long that tidiness lasts. I also post photos of not-so-messy rooms because otherwise, I’d feel embarrassed. And that’s normal.
Being a photographer means I need to clean my space more often. If I want to use my home as a background, I have to get rid of unnecessary red or yellow socks and T-shirts lying around. Before taking any photos, I always look around to see what shouldn’t be in the background.
And yes, we don’t have any helpers or maids—even though we live in Dubai, where almost everyone I know has some help.
We don’t. It’s our decision, and it’s okay. My husband helps a lot; he’s the one who is consistent with tidying the house.
But let me tell you something. I started noticing that I prefer to work and rest in a clean space. When I put things back in their places and make the room look fresh, I feel so much better. It’s like I’m not just cleaning my home—I’m also decluttering my mind, making it less messy and busy with annoying thoughts.
I can’t sit at my desk and edit photos if there’s a mess around me. My mind won’t rest, even if I used to deny it before.
A few months ago, I listened to a podcast where a psychologist said she felt sorry for people who had helpers at home—and that the helpers were actually the lucky ones. My first reaction was, “WHAT? That makes no sense.” But then she explained.
By putting things back in their places, wiping surfaces, and making your space look neat and tidy, you’re unconsciously doing the same for your thoughts. Your mind gets a chance to rest because your hands are doing the work, and not much brain power is needed. That was the moment I started looking at tidying up differently!
Once I understood how beneficial it could be for my mind and well-being, I decided to give it another try. And now, it works for me. I see this process from a new perspective. I clean my house while listening to music or simply letting my mind wander. Seeing my space tidy makes me feel happy, and knowing I was the one who did it gives it even more value.
What are your thoughts about it? Do you agree or not?
I believe that if you have access to a garden, a green space, or even just a balcony, it’s incredibly beneficial to spend at least some time outdoors every day. I’m not talking about walking—we all know that staying healthy and fit requires regular walks, ideally reaching at least 10,000 steps a day.
Well, I must confess that in Dubai, sometimes it’s physically impossible to do that during the summer months… But in my defense, when we travel in the summer for a month or two, I make up for it by walking a lot.
Living in such a busy city brings me a lot of stress and anxiety often. I won’t lie. Especially, traffic in Dubai, in my case.
But I’ve started using my garden as a space for reflection and rest. It’s a chance to step away from the noisy world and listen to my inner self.
Some of my happiest memories come from spending summer months in a yellow summer cottage, far from the rush of city life.
Now, I bring a cozy blanket, wrap myself in it, and close my eyes. Being outdoors helps quiet my bustling mind for a while.
I’ve made it a habit to spend time in the garden with a book or simply sit in an armchair, wrapped in a blanket (when it’s winter in Dubai), and take a nap.
I pour herbal or matcha tea into my favorite cup and take it with me.
I don’t listen to music or podcasts. Sometimes, I do. But I mostly turn everything off.
Instead, I let my mind rest and tune in to the sounds around me—the chirping birds, the rustling palm leaves in the neighbor’s garden, children playing in the nearby park, or just the wind passing through my garden on its way to somewhere else.
Life is full of sounds, yet our minds are often overwhelmed by both inner and outer noise. Sometimes, we just need to let it all go and rest.
It’s such a wonderful practice—I only wish I had started doing it earlier and more often.
What about you? What helps you to keep your mind in peace and let it have a rest?
Last year was a bit turbulent for me, to be honest. And I can say the same about 2023.
Sometimes, I worry that I might sound too negative. I usually feel bad about it, but what if I was simply born this way? What if, no matter what I do, I will always carry this sadness in my heart? I went through different rough emotional experiences as a child, so maybe it’s time to just accept it as it is. I wish I could be a more smiling, optimistic person—but, well, I’m not really that one. And that’s okay. I’m learning, and I hope I still have time to get better at it.
What did I mean when I said that 2023 and 2024 were rough for me?
“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” — C.C. Scott
In 2023, I got an infection in my right thumb—so severe that the tip of my finger had to be removed. A surgeon did it right in front of my eyes. Well, not exactly—I turned my face away and looked at my husband instead, tears rolling down my face.
For a moment, I thought the surgeon would take my whole finger. It was March 1st, a Wednesday. That day, I had gone with my husband to see a doctor about my swollen finger. The first doctor I had been recommended made silly jokes, saying I must have found a poisonous insect in my garden and that they would find it and kill it. At that moment, it wasn’t funny to me. The attitude was far from empathetic.
Finding new little happy things to enjoy. Like listening to classical music on vinyl.
That night, alone with my two kids in Dubai, I couldn’t sleep. The pain was unbearable, and my finger swelled before my eyes, hour by hour. In the middle of the night, I booked a taxi, leaving my kids asleep in my bed. I remember that night so clearly—the blurred city lights flashing past the car window, my mind consumed by the pain in my finger and arm, which had also begun to swell.
Secretly, I was saying goodbye to this world. My husband was away on a business trip, and I was completely alone.
From my very first days in Dubai, I realized something: nobody really cares about you. It’s up to you to build your own reality in a new place.
“The key to life when it gets tough is to keep moving. Just keep moving.”―Tyler Perry
But still, I will always be grateful to the doctor who saved my life.
That February taught me that everything can change in an instant. The pain came out of nowhere, and no one could have foreseen the consequences.
I didn’t pick up my camera for three months after that. I had to postpone many photoshoots, and I felt terrible about it.
But at that moment, I decided to surrender and give myself time. When life closes one door, it opens another. A new life was unfolding for me, but I am still in the process of rediscovering it.
Amid the struggles, it’s up to us to start finding joy again
In 2024, I faced two severe illnesses that also made me reflect on the value of life. I had never had serious problems with my lungs or nose before, but in June, I caught mycoplasma and thought I wouldn’t recover. I was wrong.
Then, in November, I experienced severe sinusitis for the first time in my life, caused by some unknown bacteria. For five days, I could barely breathe. Waking up at night, struggling to get air through my nose—I truly thought it was the end of the world.
To make things worse, the first antibiotic the doctor prescribed had too low a dosage, so I had to undergo another round of treatment. Just when I started feeling better after a week, I got a sore throat. I couldn’t believe it—something else was starting again. This time, sinusitis hit only one nostril. I decided not to go back to the doctor since I had no fever and tried to heal myself without medication. It worked, but very slowly. Only after two months of being sick did I finally start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.” — Tori Amos
I don’t know if you’ve read this far, but going through these life-threatening experiences has made me rethink my values. I started looking for slow and joyful moments I could truly enjoy—just for myself. In a fast-paced city like Dubai, where everything and everyone moves at lightning speed, that has been quite a challenge.
But I must say, I am rediscovering myself—finding minutes, even hours, each day to nourish my body and mind.
Life teaches you. Sometimes, not in a good way. But this is why it`s so important to start living to the fullest. You never know what might happen to you tomorrow…
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” — Oprah Winfrey
I would like to finish this blog with a phrase from the Japanese movie by Wim Wenders’ “Perfect Days”. The movie that will stay in my heart for a long time.
Kondo wa kondo. Ima wa ima. – Next time is next time. Now is now.
– 今度は今度。今は今
You might be interested to read more of my posts here
Today is my birthday and I’ve decided to start writing more and sharing more of my work, projects, and the things that inspire me in 2025.
I often find myself lost in my own thoughts, as if a heavy cloud is hovering over my head. Overthinking comes naturally to me, and it’s not always easy…
Do you like to read books? To get inspired or just learn something new? Here’s a list of books I’d recommend for inspiration—books I’ve read and that are part of my home library.
Happy little things 