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Badman Japan Solo Trip
  • Mia Clark
  • Mia Clark

Badman Japan Solo Trip

A 15-day adventure by Mia Read more
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  • Trip start
    January 7, 2025
  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler
    2

    Touchdown Tokyo!

    January 8, 2025 in Japan ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    Mochi on the flight! Came in to the stunning views but Mia was a bit grumpasaurus Rex after the looong day of travelling so needed a shower and settle. Bloody love my cosy new pod of a home for the next few days!! Bopped to 7eleven for my first experience haul it is so mega, the drinks are like gogo juice who knows wtf is in them. Had some tinnies w randoms in the common room met a graphic designer from south east London (lol ofc) Dillon he’s such a legend, Meredith who was a Philippino from Jersey and Che who didn’t speak a lick of English but made us all perform a song (I did happy birthday in Danish) was absolute chaos so jokes. Ended up hitting the Golden Gai found the little izikaya bars all buzzing even at like 2/3am on a Wednesday evening which was mad, genuinely fit about 4/5 max 6 man in them, so damn cozy and hygge!! Goood sleep, time to do up some touristy shit!Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler
    121

    Shibuya at Day and Night

    January 9, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    What an introduction to Tokyo. Such gorgeous weather headed to scramble square to meet Dillon (new pal from the night before) had lunch in one of the little mall restaurants eggs and bbq cabbage situation w all the trimmings and went back for a much needed 4h nap. Got up just in time to go meet Yoji’s (my work mate in London) friend Kuro, lovely skater dude working in creative direction for loads of cool big brands around the city. He took me to a banging Udon restaurant which he also does work for so we got to skip the queue felt like such a VIP. Beef udon was to die for and tempura selection of prawn, chicken, mushrooms and even sweet potato! Walked off our food through Shibuya sparkling at night and he took me to a proper cool spot where we drank apple sour sake and soda was so good. Kuro was such a fella about town we bumped into so many of his mates and will be chilling w him again soon for sure.Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler

    I <3 Tokyo

    January 10, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    What a day. Found my fave graf artist, hit up temple did a lil ritual - say a prayer, chuck a coin in, bow, clap twice then bow twice again, pretty sure I smashed it. The park it was in was so mega huge and right slap bang in the middle of city. I was in awe. So much nature, tranquility, birdsong, and tradition among the concrete jungle of chaos. Then headed for Harajuku for a large day of shopping, the malls are so beautifully designed and packed with exhibition spaces, libraries and bars. I went to a Riso printing studio/workshop store that I’ve really been excited for, and treated myself to a pair on Onitsuka Tigers too. Had my midday nap and just about made it intime for some dinner with Kuro and his friends. Kosuke is a photographer from Osaka who is the sweetest and has an exhibition on this weekend in Tokyo! (Going tonight) We went to the same bar and it was popping on a Friday, met so many of Kuro’s pals and one of his English mates Mali from Oxford who has been living here for 3 years! Feel like this could be me one day… we had Japanese shots from a jar with a real snake in it very rogue. Didn’t want to leave but had tickets to see Black Coffee at WOMB a club in Shibuya so set off on my solo night adventure, the club was sick three floors separated by spiral stairs middle was main floor where he was headlining, lighting and soundsystem was banging but it was just so packed, loved seeing how much the Japanese love a boogie to soul house music! But lots of annoying Americans trying to talk to me interrupting my dance. Spent a lot of the night upstairs in the smaller room, it was such a vibe, more intimate but space to move. Great djs and you could smoke which was sick but now I stink! Kuro was still about the area so met me outside after and made sure I got in a taxi home safe what a fucking sweetheart. I <3 Tokyo.Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler

    Egg Sando to Instant Ramen

    January 11, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Egg Sando brekky to start huge day. First time heading a little further out of the city to Shinagawa, beautiful with more wide open spaces, and a fleamarket in the car park of a horse racecourse, smelt a bit like poo but I got so many awesome pieces, from quality brands and super cheap! Found a Donki nearby which is basically like a massive high end B&M homestores and sells absolutely everything it’s chaos, bought myself a suitcase which made me feel like a proper adult and headed back to get ready for eve. Met the boys at a book shop where Kusuke’s photography exhibition was, his work was well cool, exploring lots of Japanese youth, street, skate culture and nightlife, similar style to some of my work! Free funky beers and so much cool print of books, magazines, zines, newspapers, AND garms - I could have spent hours in there. I wanted yakitori, so we went to a favourite of theirs having lamb, chicken, beef, the works, with sushimi to end of tuna, octopus and squid (I have never eaten anything so delicious oh my days it like transformed to a melting texture while chewing). We scrambled through Shibuya to LION, a club Kuro does work for, which had a very chill hip hop vibe, and someone out of nowhere hopped on the mic and started shelling it. Was so nice to meet Kuro’s girlfriend Natski the chillest sweetest girl, and Iso who was a graffiti writer from Osaka! We ended the night with instant ramen and asahi tinnies on the floor of Kuro’s apartment - the pinnacle of Tokyo youth culture. I feel so full and lucky to have met these people who have welcomed me into their space and culture. What an unexpected and unbelievable journey this has become so far. Now I’m off kansai (down south) to Kyoto, Japan’s previous capital to explore its rich historical culture, scared and excited.Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler
    22

    Slowing Down in Kyoto

    January 12, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Tokyo - Kyoto, by bullet train! Grabbed a couple bread buns and pastries from the bakery in Tokyo station to set off my journey. The train was magnificent. Being able to put in perspective the scale of the Japanese landscape of expansive rice fields, rickety towns and mountainous horizons, where the climate could shift from snow topped roofs to sunny skies within mere minutes apart was so impressive! All in the space of 2.5 hours. Touched down and chose to walk to my house stay. The streets were quieter and the architecture traditional. Love my room for the next couple days, my own space, privacy and tea set! It’s hidden in a tiny back alley in Gojo where you have to clamber through to the back garden of another house stay. Unpacked and ate my cream custard bun I had been saving, it was the yummiest fluffiest thing. Was exhausted so napped but woke up hangry asf walked to 3 different restaurants where they all had closed already for a Sunday night. Was tired and hungry so sat and sulked a bit before grabbing a chicken egg salad and mango juice from 7eleven. Perked up, went to meet the British boys I met in Tokyo at a fancy shmancy cocktail bar where I had the most delicate amaretto sour there ever was. We walked and talked and drank beers until 4am!! They are so bloody sound. Had to try a likkle Japanese maccies for the road and got in my cosy rental pjs for bed. Nice to slow down a little and have a bit of British banter. James and Dillon have planned a whole day for us to explore together today, what a treat.Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler

    Monkeys and Culture

    January 13, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Egg sando start obvi, met Dillon and James, hopped on a bus to Arashiyama where we hiked up a mountain to a monkey sanctuary! The views were so mad of Kyoto. We hiked back down and popped into Fukada museum where we learnt about an 18th century woodblock and silk scroll painting artist from Kyoto, Ito Jakuchu. The technique and craftsmanship was so impressive. We went up again in the mountains to see the Bamboo forest and came across Tenryu-ji temple and gardens. We sat by the pond in complete silence and soaked in our fairytale surroundings. It was so magic. We walked on through the Bamboo and made it back down for a subtle pink sunset across the water. Beef, pork, squid, prawn and eel yakitori snack and back for a nap. Beef soba noodles for tea and sake in a vinyl record request bar. It was ‘coming of age day’ so we walked alongside all the youngsters in their garms celebrating entering adulthood. Back for a cuppa with Dillon at my Japanese in and an early night ready to move on to Osaka!Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler

    Crazy Osaka!

    January 14, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Kyoto matcha French toast and maple tea, quick shrine and jumped on a more traditional train to Osaka! Treated myself to a little slice of cake, which tasted like soft sweet clouds. Osaka is so flipping cool! Staying downtown in Namba, by the Tombori river, in this mega weird 60s/70s style capsule hotel that seems like it’s stuck, frozen in time. My pod is like a retro spaceship and there’s a pink tv chill room covered wall to wall with manga dvds. I actually love it. Although, a reason I booked it was for the spa and sauna which turns out is male only which is all a bit crazy. Izikaya rec from Kosuke, solo dinner! I had pork, chicken and shitake mushroom yakitori with a ‘selection of sushimi’ which turned out to be chicken liver, thighs and hearts (I think lol) it was crazy yummy but so strange! Met up with the boys in a 7 floor mega arcade - we played pingpong, football, badminton, golf, shooting and even roller skated! Hit another Kosuke bar rec with a very cool vibe. Great start to Osaka.Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler
    1

    Arty Farty Namba

    January 15, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Fluffy cloud pancakes and stroll through Namba, what a vibrant and underground place! Graf and street art everywhere, everyone in grungy fits and independent unique styled brand shops on every corner. Found a tiny museum with original Hokusai and Hiroshige wood block prints from the Edo period! Each one was phenomenal I spent 2 hours studying and sketching them as you weren’t allowed to take photos. It really taught me how much the Japanese landscapes and scenery is appreciated within their culture. Each one told such an intricate story with a few labelled with small beautiful poems, one actually made me cry a little bit what a baby. Dinner at same Yakitori place, and found an interactive night exhibition by teamLabs exploring light, nature and ambient sound. It was unreal. The installations would react to you entering their space by lighting up and making twinkly sounds. Again - the appreciation for nature and exploring it in such a creative and aesthetic way, wow. Ramen ticket machine and milk bar! I think Namba would be a really cool place to live.Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler

    Nara Deer!

    January 16, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    We went to Nara park today on the edge of Osaka and went to see the deer! They were so cute. Buy a lil pack of biccies to feed them and they bow to say thank you! Their eye lashes was so long! The park was huge and so beautiful and had a massive walk. Came to Todai-ji temple which had the hugest Buddha in the world and super cute miniature model of the grounds. Walked right up to a view point with such a beautiful scene of Nara and Osaka in the distance. Back to Namba and queued (a long time) for a Tonkatsu platter where you grill your own meat! So yummers and worth the wait. Early night and back to Tokyo. Feeling a lil poorly from drinking the water so hopefully better by tomorrow!Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler

    Poorly >:’(

    January 17, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    More pancakes! Bullet train from Osaka to Tokyo and passed Mt Fuji in the clouds lol. Got to the Almond hostel it is adorable and above the cutest cafe met some danish dudes staying here who’s dad is from the same village as my Mum what a tiny world lol! Went for dinner had the most banging Japanese curry omg was so yummmy and yummiest mango beer omd mmmm but tried to go for some drinks but was still feeling proper poorly all day so had to go bed early grr woken up feeling dodgy still but Dillon brought me a lil care package so cute. Here’s to feeling better 🫖 🍌Read more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler
    2

    Poo Exhibition and Party

    January 18, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Yummy bagel start, tummy still a bit dodgy so very fitting to go to a Poo exhibition at the 21_21 Design Sight! It’s was incredible. Pooploop - all about cycles and the way we view waste and in what ways that can and should change that - I was so inspired! Doggy made of poo, trash trinket badges, sea waste stool, poo tiles (made from sewage sludge), composted fashion sculptures, and the building itself was beautifully designed. It has been really eye opening and I learnt a lot. So much innovative design and clever minds here, with just such an aesthetic flare it’s so cool. Had some tinnies and dinner and more beers and then clurb - WWW X, with all female line-up which is rogue and not so common here I think and it was so great! OK Williams shelled it! The sound system in the main room was too bloody much I couldn’t hack it then the room upstairs basically had speakers the size of an A4 piece of paper it was so strange. But what a night! Weekend drawing to a close and I don’t want to go hooooomeRead more

  • Mia ClarkBadman Japan Solo TripTraveler

    Singing, Scrubbing + Sad Goodbyes

    January 19, 2025 in Japan ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Winter tea, creamy mushy sando, vintage shopping in Shimo-kitazawa spent some caaash. Met up w Kuro and some more of his mates for izikaya dinner headed for BYOB private karaoke room - cuz it had to be done! It went oooooooffff the girls were such legends and no one gives a shit everyone gets involved. What a last night all together! To top off the trip I had to tick off an onsen (public bath) experience but had to find a tattoo friendly one in the city. It was such a strange yet lovely experience where everyone walks around butt nakey with a tiny ‘modesty’ towel balanced on top of their head. There were loads of baths of different temps and bubbles, inside and outside, with even a sauna and a steam room with a complimentary mud mask and body salt scrub! I am so squeaky clean now. I treated myself to a fancy Korean BBQ final lunch where a harpist was playing while I ate! A last dinner with Kuro and we met Natski before saying our goodbyes. It has been an overwhelmingly special time with some people I hope to keep in my life for a long time. What an interesting and exciting country. I’m proud of myself for exploring and immersing as much as I could, and I will be back one day in the near future. I think soon. Otsukare my bros☝️Read more

    Trip end
    January 21, 2025
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