Released in late 2024 at a price of $5,995, the Leica Q3 43mm is a significant evolution of the Q-series compact. Unlike the original Q3 with its 28mm f/1.7 Summilux, this version is built around a new fixed 43mm f/2 APO-Summicron ASPH lens. This is not a crop mode or firmware tweak—it’s an entirely different optical concept….
In Tokyo’s subway stations, you’ll often see signs reminding passengers “Do not rush onto the train. Tokyo’s trains use automated doors that shut with timing set to the second. Trying to dash in risks triggering delays or causing minor accidents, and during rush hours, a misstep could result in injury due to the sheer density of…
The observation deck at Haneda Airport Terminal 2 is a solid spot for aviation geeks and plane spotters alike. It stretches across the rooftop, with open-air access and minimal obstruction, making it excellent for watching aircraft movements up close. The deck gives a clear view of Runway 34R/16L, which sees a fair bit of domestic…
Haneda Airport’s Terminal 2 is the domestic terminal primarily serving ANA (All Nippon Airways) and its affiliated carriers. Opened in 2004, it was designed with efficiency and flow in mind, catering to Japan’s meticulous domestic air travel system. The architecture is clean and purposeful, with expansive glass façades allowing in swathes of natural light, especially…
Released in 2025 with a price tag of $4,495, the Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 Classic is a love letter to vintage optical rendering. This lens channels the character of Leica’s iconic mid-century Summilux designs while offering modern construction and compatibility with current M-mount rangefinder bodies. It is designed for photographers who crave a cinematic,…
The Yamate Tunnel stretches 18.2 kilometers beneath Tokyo, making it the longest road tunnel in Japan and one of the longest urban highway tunnels in the world. It forms a critical part of the Shuto Expressway’s Central Circular Route (C2), looping around central Tokyo to divert long-distance and freight traffic away from the already congested…
If you ever find yourself near one of Japan’s major railway stations — be it the humming metropolis of Tokyo, the cultural maze of Osaka, or even smaller, off-the-tourist-map towns — do yourself a favor: skip the main streets for a moment and slip into the nearest narrow alleyway that looks like it belongs in…
If you’ve been around the block long enough, you’ve probably heard whispers about the Leica APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. It’s part of Leica’s absurdly sharp, absurdly expensive APO line, designed to make even the most clinically precise engineer shed a single tear of optical joy. At roughly the price of a decent used car, this…
Some Japanese cafés are interesting. You walk in expecting solid coffee and a croissant, and boom—you’re staring at spaghetti topped with seaweed and a soft-boiled egg. Somehow, it’s really good. They’ve basically hacked Italian food and patched it with soy sauce and anime vibes. Then there’s the coffee. Look, it’s usually… fine. Not great. If you actually…
A Chinowa (茅の輪) is a sacred grass ring, part of an ancient Shinto purification ritual known as Chinowa Kuguri (茅の輪くぐり), performed to cleanse spiritual impurities, ward off misfortune, and invite good health. Walking through it might not transport you to another planet, but in the eyes of Shinto belief, it’s a powerful step into a cleaner, luckier version of your life….
