Haveyourbeenhere 2019 Steemitworldmap travel contest : Japan, my trip of a lifetime

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_{If like me you're a SteemitWorldMap Website user then do not hesitate to participate in this great HaveYouBeenHere 2019 SteemitWorldMap Travel Contest.}

_{I suggest you take a look at @steemitworldmap's original post about the contest here: HaveYouBeenHere 2019 SteemitWorldMap Travel Contest, my post being a particular interpretation of the contest.}

_{If you haven't already, you should, it's fun to use their map to view Steem post by location. You can go take a look by yourself here : https://www.steemitworldmap.com/}

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In my life there are 3 trips that have marked my life and this is their story

1998, the first one: I have just finished my mandatory military service and I am entering the world of work in IT. At that time for me traveling was a useless way to spend money so I didn't see much point in it (WHAT!!!!!).

Then a High school friend calls me to tell me that he and another friend are planning a trip to California and that it would be nice if I came with them. The program being 20 days to travel the roads of California according to our moods (just the first and last night was booked and a mini van).

At first very reluctant, he convinces me by using the fact that he is one of the few people I can't refuse anything. It was a true revelation of a passion that has never ended since.

April 2008, the second one: At the limit of burnout my boss forces me to take 1 month of vacation, my friends can't get free, so I decide to go alone to discover Japan with a 1 month "Rail pass" ticket.

Friday 25 April 2008, 7am, I just arrived at Tokyo airport for my one-month trip to the land of the rising sun for what will be the revelation of a lifetime. Going from Tokyo to Osaka via Nikko, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Kōya-san, Hiroshima, Miyajima.

1 month of total change of scenery, immersed in this very special culture and this modern/traditional blend in perfect harmony. A trip that changed me deeply, there really is a before and after Japan for me.

April 2019, the third: After 11 years and a missed appointment in 2011 because of Fukushima I am back in the land of the rising sun!

This time I won't be alone, not only with my wife, but also with my 2 sisters, including my older sister whom I haven't had the pleasure of seeing for 3 years (a surprise because basically only my younger sister is coming) are joining us. A magical trip once again for me but also a great discovery for my wife and sisters

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So now it's time to enter the Haveyourbeenhere 2019 Steemitworldmap travel contest

_{A big thanks to @steemitworldmap which gives me the opportunity through this contest to bore you a little bit more with unpublished pictures (not having been able to put all the pictures on my previous posts because of their number Hahaha)}

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Post number 1

After a long hesitation with the one in 2nd position I still decided to put in first position my post [TRIP JAPAN 2019 | ep.1] Phuket - Dotonburi, Namba in Osaka (EN/FR).

The reason being the fact that it contains a lot of strong emotions such as the first contact with Japan after 11 years, having my 2 sisters all to myself including one that I had not seen for 3 years.

Then let's go! It's time to go to Phuket International Airport and leave our beautiful Thai island to take an Air Asia ✈️💺 flight to Osaka via Bangkok.

I had left Japan by Osaka and here I am back by the same city. A modern and lively city, Osaka is a good place to stay because of its affordable prices and the fact that it is quite centered so that you can do a lot of sightseeing all around.

A city that in the evening takes on a special captivating atmosphere. As for me, the charm of Japan worked magnificently on my wife and my sisters, it's unusual for Japan to leave people indifferent!

But I've already told you too much about that first post. To find out the full story, go here: [TRIP JAPAN 2019 | ep.1] Phuket - Dotonburi, Namba in Osaka (EN/FR)

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Post number 2

I hesitated for a while to put [💮 JAPAN 2019 🌸 | ep.3] Osaka - ⛩️ Sumiyoshi-Taisha ⛩️ in first place, you'll quickly understand why ;)

For our 3rd day in Japan we decided to spend the day in Sumiyoshi-Taisha, about 10 minutes by train from Osaka.

A city that barely put us under its charm because of its many assets! As much on the visual level because of its tramway, its wonderful temple entrances, its floral park but also taste with its small typical restaurants like the Shirakaba restaurant, a great place to eat if you go there.

Here we are right in the middle of Japan which fascinates me and transports me totally elsewhere, this day which was a total discovery will remain forever marked in my memory.

Once inside you find yourself immersed in a huge place going from discovery to discovery, from wonder to wonder.

And when you think you've reached the end, another temple appears!

But I've already told you too much again. To find out the full story, go here: [💮 JAPAN 2019 🌸 | ep.3] Osaka - ⛩️ Sumiyoshi-Taisha ⛩️

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Post number 3

For post number 3 we'll change the atmosphere with a walk through Higashiyama and my post [JAPAN 2019 | ep.4] The beauty of Kyoto 💮 Walking Through Higashiyama

A day that started in the morning with a procession just below our Airbnb apartment and took us late into the night in the traditional district of Kyoto.

A walk that took us through the small streets of Kyoto animated by many tourists who rented kimonos for the day.

And that led us to the hills of Kyoto before a return to the city centre and a resplendent Kyoto tower.

A first contact with Kyoto 11 years later that brought back many good and warm memories. This post could only appear in this top 4. To read the full story of this day, go here : [JAPAN 2019 | ep.4] The beauty of Kyoto 💮 Walking Through Higashiyama

Post number 4

And for this last selection with no big surprises, it will once again be a walk in Kyoto with my post [JAPAN 2019 | ep.5] 🏯 A walking day in Kyoto 🎎.

Some people find Kyoto too modern, having nothing to offer, I think that the same people say that Bangkok can be visited in 1 or 2 days maximum. This is a shame because it is only necessary to let yourself be carried away by a walk in the streets to make discoveries and magnificent encounters.

To read the full story of this day, go here : [JAPAN 2019 | ep.5] 🏯 A walking day in Kyoto 🎎

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I hope you liked this little rewind of my trip to Japan and that it will make you want to go there. Do not hesitate either for your next post on one of your trips to pin it on the SteemitWorldMap Website

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🎦 Camera used:

Canon EOS M50
Canon EOS 60D
Iphone 8 Plus
Elephone S8

Lens:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM with Viltrox EF-EOS M2
Yongnuo EF 35 mm f/2 with Viltrox EF-EOS M2
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM with Viltrox EF-EOS M
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5

If you liked a small
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is welcome ;) @ten-years-before

Video from Japan 11 years ago / Vidéo du Japon il y a 11 ans:

On steemit
On busy
On steempeak

Previously

[TRIP JAPAN 2019 | ep.1] Phuket - Dotonburi, Namba in Osaka (EN/FR)
[TRIP JAPAN 2019 | ep.2] Osaka Castle
[TRIP JAPAN 2019 | ep.3] Osaka - ⛩️ Sumiyoshi-Taisha ⛩️
[JAPAN 2019 | ep.4] The beauty of Kyoto 💮 Walking Through Higashiyama
[JAPAN 2019 | ep.5] 🏯 A walking day in Kyoto 🎎