Tokyo Metro: Discovering The Unexpected Backbone of the City
When I look back on my trips to Tokyo, a handful of experiences rise to the top. Most of them are what you'd expect from travel: iconic destinations, hidden restaurants, shrines tucked between skyscrapers. But one of the most vivid and meaningful memories for me, was something I never planned to see or pursue. Something that happened entirely in the in-between moments.
It was the Tokyo Metro.
From Cosplay Photos to Movie Posters: How a Nerdy Hobby Became My Career
I've been working in the entertainment industry for about five years now… I had zero industry experience before landing this job, but I walked in through a side door, and that side door was Photoshopped Cosplay Photos.
Donut Media’s Past Gas Podcast launched a series on JDM
Donut Media's Past Gas podcast just started a series last month covering the history of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) car culture. I'm really happy to see them dedicate a series to this subject.
Madoka z: My first Encounter with An Itasha
In October 2014, I found myself wandering around Akihabara, on my first trip to Japan. At some point, I ended up on a quiet side street, where I got to see some of the smaller, more niche shops.
Then, out of nowhere, I saw it: a Nissan 350Z parked next to the Akiba Cultures Zone building.
Remembering Shibuya Halloween: My Night at Tokyo’s Wildest Street Party
In honor of Halloween, I wanted to look back on one of my favorite memories from my last trip to Japan — the night I found myself in the middle of the Shibuya Halloween party in Tokyo.
Kyoto Gardens: The Japanese Rooftop Oasis Few Know About
High above the chaos of downtown Los Angeles lies a hidden oasis that feels worlds away from the streets below. This is Kyoto Gardens — a rooftop sanctuary inspired by traditional Japanese garden culture.
Dekocar at Nisei Week 2025
I finally made it back out to a Dekocar event at Nisei Week in Little Tokyo. It’s been quite a few years since I last attended—2019, if memory serves—so it felt good to return.
Tokyo’s D1 Grand Prix: The Auto Event that Ruined Auto Events for Me
In 2016, I stumbled upon the D1 Grand Prix in Tokyo. It was my introduction to Japanese automotive culture (you know, outside of games and anime), and I loved nearly everything about it.
Remembering Robot Restaurant: Tokyo’s Most Bizarre and Unforgettable Dinner Experience
Picture the craziest mix of robots, lasers, and Japanese pop culture all thrown into one show. That was Robot Restaurant - a mind-blowing entertainment spot in Tokyo that had everyone talking about it. And while it only lasted for about a decade, this is one of those places whose memory will always live on in those who were lucky enough to experience it.
Don’t Miss Little Tokyo’s Nisei Week Grand Parade
If you're a fan of Japanese culture or someone who loves documenting unique cultural experiences, then the Nisei Week Grand Parade is one of those events that should absolutely be on your radar.
Dekocar at Taste of Japan 2025
Itasha have become one of my favorite things to photograph in recent years. So when I saw that Dekocar was doing another display at the Taste of Japan festival in Anaheim this summer, I knew I had to check it out.
Stumbling on a Life-Size Gundam in Tokyo (and What It Taught Me About Lens Choice)
Back in 2016, I was still relatively early in my photography journey- confident enough to start making strong decisions, but not yet experienced enough to think ahead about a lot of things. It was that year when I learned (the hard way), that it was a dumb idea to only bring prime lenses on my second trip to Tokyo- especially since I didn’t really know what kind of subjects or situations I’d run into.