While in Japan, Anthony Schiliro photographed the contrasts between tradition and modernity, stillness and movement.
First Impressions of Japan
Anthony’s travels in Japan included Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and smaller towns in the countryside. He arrived with curiosity and left with deep respect. Japan challenged him to slow down, observe carefully, and see beauty in simplicity.
For Anthony, Japan is a place where architecture and daily rituals all speak a quiet language of intention. He tried to reflect that in every frame.
Tokyo
Tokyo gave Anthony a playground of contrasts—blazing neon and silent temples, crowded trains and peaceful parks.
He focused his lens on:
- Shibuya’s scramble crossing at dark
- Izakaya bars glowing in narrow alleys
- Clean lines of modern architecture
- Tokyo Tower against cloudy skies
- Quiet moments in Ueno Park
He was fascinated by how a megacity could also feel deeply respectful and orderly. Street photography here was about timing and restraint.
Kyoto
In Kyoto, Anthony slowed down. He visited ancient shrines, walked through bamboo forests, and documented traditional neighborhoods where time feels paused.
Favorite subjects included:
- Fushimi Inari’s endless red torii gates
- Tea ceremonies and their careful details
- Reflections in temple ponds
- Kimonos in Gion, shot with subtlety and distance
- Moss-covered stones and wooden doorways
Photography in Kyoto became almost meditative. The city taught him to wait for the right light, the right gesture, the right stillness.
Osaka & Nara
Osaka brought him back into chaos—in the best way. He loved photographing:
- Bright signage and food stalls in Dotonbori
- The organized frenzy of evening markets
- Commuters in motion, captured with slow shutter speeds
In nearby Nara, he found balance. He captured deer wandering near temples, ancient trees, and the textures of aged stone and wood.
Countryside and Small Towns
Some of Anthony’s favorite shots came from lesser-known villages and countryside paths. He focused on:
- Train stations with no attendants
- Farmers tending to rice paddies
- Hillsides in early morning fog
- Wooden homes built generations ago
These quiet places gave him space to reflect and reconnect with the slower rhythm of travel.
What He Loved Photographing Most
Japan challenged Anthony to let go of control. The best photos came when he stopped planning and started observing.
He loved capturing:
- Symmetry in temples and gardens
- Emptiness in a crowded country
- Light filtered through paper screens
- The tension between old and new
Japan remains one of the most meaningful places in Anthony’s travel photography journey.