This was my fifth trip to Japan, and my first time visiting in autumn. I travelled straight to Kyoto for a week-long language course, before continuing on to Kinosaki Onsen, Kurashiki, Kamakura and Nikko, and finally back to Tokyo. Experiencing Japan at this time of year was completely different to my previous visits in April — the autumn colours were extraordinary, and the whole trip had a quieter, more reflective atmosphere.