A Cozy Artist Vlog in Japan | Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Hiroshima in 10 Days

Can I call you rosy? Can I call cuz you’re sweet like a flower in blue? Can I call you rose? [Music] Can I call you rose? Can I call? Cuz your fragrance takes over the room. I call you darling. So, hi everyone. Welcome back to my channel. For those of you who don’t know, I’m Amanda. I’m an artist based in Manchester. So, I’ve been having a few technical issues with my latest video. Um, my piece to camera that I recorded a couple of days ago just won’t seem to download from iCloud. Um, so today instead, I thought I’d bring you along on my recent travels through Japan. So, back in September, I was lucky enough to explore the Golden Triangle, which is typically Tokyo, Kyoto, and Asaka. And I thought I’d share a little recap of some of my favorite stops mixed in with a few paintings that I’ve made since coming home. So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan, looking for a bit of art inspiration, or just fancy some company whilst you paint, grab a cuper and enjoy. And hopefully the music’s good, too. After our first night exploring the Golden Guy and the streets surrounding our hotel, we headed Shimo Kazawa, a laid-back vintage neighborhood of thrift stores, coffee shops, and effortless hipster vibes. On the way, we couldn’t resist a quick stop at a Donkeyote before making our way to the Shabu Crossing. Always a mustsee. Later, we escaped the hustle and bustle and wandered through Vujian Gardens. At least I think that’s how you say it. Um, and it’s absolutely stunning. Um, I’m certain that the views will make their way onto my easel very soon. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] And on the way back to the hotel, we saw these impossible really cute puppies, which I couldn’t resist popping in here. Um, it was the perfect end to a perfect first day. On our second day in Tokyo, the highlight for me was absolutely team Lab Borderless. So, it’s for those of you who don’t know, it’s an immersive world and art installation. Um, so there’s a lot of light, sound, and I guess digital artwork. Um, and it shifts and changes as you move and interact with it. So, it’s really like nothing else I’ve ever seen um, before. It was really, as you’ll see from the footage, quite otherworldly and surreal um, and strangely peaceful actually. Um, so yeah, definitely an unforgettable experience and definitely left feeling very inspired. [Music] So after Team Labs Borderlands, we headed to the Mor Art Museum to see Sue Fujimoto’s architectural work. It was incredibly beautiful. Some really futuristic designs that felt part architecture and part sculpture. So, we got to see everything from prep drawings to architectural models. And it was cured in a way that was really inspiring. [Music] [Music] Okay, now [Music] [Music] That is the thing. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] So in Kyoto, we decided to slow down a bit and we pretty much wandered the streets and tried to get a flavor of the place. So we wandered through the kind of obvious places like Gillon and the side streets and we had kind of no real plan. Um we just decided to walk and take it all in. Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Yeah. [Music] Yeah. Yeah. C see Cat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat [Music] [Applause] [Music] up here. [Music] Happy birthday. [Music] [Music] Is that [Music] heat? Heat. Heat. [Music] Good boy. [Music] Well done, sweet. All the stats behind you. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] I only sunshine. You make me happy. Yeah. Ray, you’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Nine months. Nine months. Oh, [Music] just like children. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] He hey. [Music] Amazing. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] So, back in my studio a few days later and I was still feeling really inspired by the trip. And the first thing that I wanted to do was paint the floating to gate at Miaima. Um, and you can see it here coming together. And uh, I managed to finish it in a couple of days. I got it framed and it’s now up on my website. And after that came a couple of quick night sketches of some little isakayas glowing in the dark. And I did one in oils and the other in gash. And if you can throw your mind back to right at the start of the trip in Tokyo when we went to Shibua. Um well here’s the painting that came from the view of Starbucks. So it was me watching the crowds watching the crowds below. And um yeah, I’m really pleased with how this one came out and it’s probably one of my bigger pieces that I’ve managed to tackle this year. And yeah, so what can I say? It really was a trip of a lifetime. And Google tells me I took over 1,563 photos and videos. So, this is just a small selection of what I took. And I’ll definitely be more Japan inspired paintings coming soon. So, if you enjoyed this video or want to see more like it, then do let me know in the comments. And if you don’t want to miss out on the next Japan inspired piece, then you know what to do. Hit subscribe. So until next time, keep creating and I’ll see you on the flip side.

Join me on an artist’s journey through Japan — from the neon streets of Tokyo to the calm temples of Kyoto, the deer of Nara and the floating Torii Gate of Miyajima.

I’m Amanda, an artist based in Manchester, and in this video I’m sharing highlights from my trip across Japan’s Golden Triangle — mixed with some of the paintings I’ve created since coming home.

We’ll explore:

🎨 Tokyo — Golden Gai, Shibuya Crossing, teamLab Borderless & the Mori Art Museum

🌸 Kyoto — Gion, quiet side streets & hidden shrines🦌 Nara — the friendliest deer you’ll ever meet

🍜 Osaka — late-night izakayas and city lights

⛩️ Hiroshima & Miyajima — the breathtaking floating Torii Gate

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, love travel vlogs, or simply want some art-fuelled inspiration while you paint, grab a cuppa and enjoy.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – 01:20 – Intro
01:20 – 5:00 – Tokyo
5:00 – 12:00 – Kyoto
12:00 – 14:10 – Nara
14:10 – 15:28 – Osaka
15:28 – 19:00 – Hiroshima
19:00 – 20:36 – Japan Paintings

🖼️ About Me
I’m Amanda Mulquiney-Birbeck — a British figurative and urban-landscape painter based in Manchester. My work explores everyday life, travel and light through bold colour and cinematic composition.

🎨 See more of my work: www.amandamulquineyart.com
🖼️ Follow on Instagram: @amandamulquineyart
📺 Subscribe for more art & travel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@amandamulquineyart

🎵 Licenses / Credits
Music licensed via Lickd