As a hobby landscape photographer, there’s not a lot of windows in nature and even if there is, I can rarely find a window I like. This photo was taken from a second story photo in Kawaguchiko, Japan. I visited the quaint little town at the foot of Mt. Fuji in September of 2023. Outside the window, was a lovely garden full of my favorite flowers – cosmos, marigolds, hydrangeas – but to be honest, unless the plant wreak of an unpleasant odor, I love all flowers and plants the same.

Next to the garden is Lake Kawaguchiko. There were people fishing in the lake, surfing waves, and I even spotted a boat tour while people-watching out the window. Meanwhile, next to me, my mom and her friend were chomping away on snacks and chatting away.

Here is a window from Himeji Castle in Himeji, Japan. This castle is one of the few original castles still standing in Japan. This castle is also one of the few that never saw battle. I think anything that is still standing after a centuries is an amazing feat, don’t you think?

Outside the window lies the city of Himeji. I was glad I was able to photograph the view outside the window and the view was in focus. I feel like in circumstances like this, rarely does it comes out my favor.

Anyway, as I was touring the castle, climbing the steep ladder-like stairs up to each level, I wondered how could people run up these stairs in ancient times. Each step felt like I was climbing a mountain and by the time I got the next level of the castle, I had to take a moment to catch my breath.

For SundayStills