Photos taken by Sam Lam (Maryland Institute College of Art), Student Correspondent for CET Japan, Spring 2026
Finding Your People
My recommendation is to listen to Lucky by Tyzo Bloom while checking out this post!
What Brings You Joy?
Life has been peaceful and great here in Osaka. I notice little details in sidewalks, little quirks in people’s front doors, and the coexistence of greenery amongst the bustling city and appreciate them so much more now. During my photo walks I wander into random neighborhoods at times, seeing crabs as door decorations, spray painted characters on walls, or even the human touch of hopeful love left behind.
Solo Tripping
I find myself going on solo-trips more often here during my free time. Usually I sleep my day away but here, in Japan, I find it so refreshing to walk around or by my nearby river and just take it all in.
Really Glad I Took The Risk
On my walks along the river away from the bustling city, I often slow down, hear myself clearer, and really reflect on all the events that have happened in my life so far.
At first, I wasn’t really confident in myself in pursuing a study abroad experience. I’ve never been on a plane, never been outside the States, and had an unfortunate loss in my family right before heading to Japan. However, despite my clawing anxiety, I remembered my friends’ and family’s support and knew it would be okay.
Being in the “Land of the Rising Sun,” seeing the sunrise during golden hour really impacted me. I was truly on a whole different continent and I was living, not just surviving, but really living as fully as I could.
Found Family
Of course being in a whole new country for an extended amount of time is going to be scary but, you’ll find your people, for sure. You can take my word on it even. Whether it’s spending more time solo and understanding yourself more as your “people” or finding those to laugh with in your daily life, life is a roller coaster and it’s not always scary.
My housemates and I visited an onsen and had lots of fun! This is Solaniwa in Benten-cho, super modern and filled to the brim with various activities like an arcade, doctor fish for your feet, and an outdoor garden with torī gates. Onsen culture is so rich and the various hot springs and rejuvenating abilities each one has are numerous. I definitely recommend going to one when visiting Japan. Just make sure to cover any tattoos!
A Breather From Life
I feel a lot more in touch with nature in Japan compared to back in the States, but that might be because I was always in a city environment. Either way, my soul definitely needed the greenery! Did you know that the human eye can see more shades of green than any color?
Looking at all the o-jizō-sama, I was in a way, grateful. Jizō are representatives of guardian deities of children and travelers so I was definitely happy to see them at least once in my travels! Visiting various shrines and temples with housemates and friends, I undoubtedly believe I have assured some amount of good fortune and blessing, to at least push me harder in my studies!
Have A Seat
Occasionally I get to be on the train with no one or very few passengers along with me! In these times, I feel like those main protagonists in movies looking out their vehicle windows, looking upon their seishun, youth or adolescence. The sun always seems to be glistening and the seats look especially plush during those scenes.
The Past, Present, and Future
Tag yourself, I’m the one on the right.
Anytime I see groups of three, I get reminded of my neighborhood friends back home. Even though oceans apart, we still communicate and update each other on news going on in our lives. Finding your people can be hard for sure but if it’s unmei, fate, it is as it is.
The little things in life can become big things later on.
またね！See ya!
Springtime Connections
This Might Sound Crazy…
While on a grocery trip with housemates, I got a crazy sense of déjà vu. I suddenly remembered this specific scene and moment from a dream that happened three years ago. It was finally happening and it was with my new friends I’ve made on a whole other continent, opposite from my home town. I, myself, couldn’t believe it was actually happening and I had a surge of feelings while walking back home. In a way, I was really grateful.
First Times and Luck
Reviewing photos I took, I realized there’s a four leaf clover! Since then I’ve been trying to find another four leaf clover…
After a day trip to Awaji Island with all my housemates, some of us continued the days’ events at the river, drinking, and talking about life, and goals for the future. I’ll definitely remember that night forever. Chatting away, I realized I was able to see the Big Dipper constellation in the sky, just from the naked eye! This was basically my first time seeing the stars, with 100% confirmation that they’re stars and not satellites or airplanes. Being in NYC, there’s too much light pollution to know for sure.
Adachi Museum of Art
At Adachi Museum of Art, Japan’s best garden for 22 consecutive years is featured. In the midst of enjoying the view, I saw a cat pass by. I thought I had hallucinated them until I looked back on my photos. The museum frames various window frames as painting scrolls, providing real time viewing of the karesansui, dry landscape, and pond gardens.
Shimane Trip
Shimane prefecture, home to Izumi Taisha, one of the oldest and most important shrines in Japan. Here the connection to one another is prominent, being called go-en musubi in Japanese. Go-en musubi refers to fate, destiny, relationship, or connection, the invisible tie between people, places, or opportunities, but it’s not just for marriage or romantic relationships. It also applies to professional bonds and friendships. This is probably cringey or corny, but the friendships made during this time will definitely be unforgettable for me.
Wisteria Blooms
Spring has really come! The other flowers have started blooming and the weather was getting warm. The scent of the wisteria was strong enough to smell them a block away. This was at Shindachijuku Wisteria Festival near KIX and it’s a privately owned garden open for a week in mid-late April!
Daruma Temple
I finally got the chance to visit Katsuo-ji, otherwise known as the Daruma Temple! This place has coincidentally been my laptop lockscreen wallpaper since 2019. Shortly before coming to Japan I searched where Katsuoji was, realizing it’s an hour and half ride away from where CET Japan is based! I HAD to go. My dad insisted that I get a daruma for him too. Apparently he’s been wanting one for the longest time as well.
Although the bus was incredibly packed, I definitely recommended visiting. The shinrin-yoku, forest bathing, was so refreshing, especially since the previous day it had rained, making all the greenery more alive and the petrichor all the more fragrant.
Reflecting My Time in Japan
While taking in all the greenery around me, I took time to reflect on the connections and experiences I’ve made during my studying in Osaka.
Looking at the daruma around the temple grounds, the human condition was really prominent in the way we leave traces of our presence, proving that we were there. Something about the human mark was so heartwarming. Everyone is just trying to live life.
“Something, something, human condition…you know?”