My Travel Desires: Capturing Anime, Cars, Fallout, and Tech Hubs
Life is short, and the world is vastly beautiful. There's a particular kind of magic in experiencing the real-life locations that inspired some of our favorite fictional universes and technological marvels. Here is my bucket list of places I want to travel and capture.
Japan: The Intersection of Pop Culture and Automotive History
Japan holds a unique allure, offering a deeply immersive blend of traditional culture, groundbreaking anime, and legendary automotive engineering. It’s a photographer's dream.
Anime Pilgrimages
- Akihabara: The electric town and "Anime Capital of the World," central to series like Steins;Gate and Love Live!.
- Suga Shrine Steps (Tokyo): The iconic staircase beautifully depicted in Makoto Shinkai's masterpiece, Your Name, where Taki and Mitsuha finally reunite.
- Shirakawa-go: A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its traditional thatched-roof houses, inspiring the fictional village in the Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni series.
Automotive Legends
- Toyota Kaikan Museum (Aichi): Near Toyota's headquarters, showcasing advanced tech and new models right at the birthplace of one of the world's largest automakers.
- Mazda Museum (Hiroshima): A museum taking you through Mazda's history, spanning from cork manufacturing to the Le Mans-winning rotary engine 787B.
- Nissan Global HQ (Yokohama): An interactive space showcasing the future of mobility and classic GTR legacy.
United States: Walking the Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland
The Fallout franchise uniquely reimagined Americana into a post-nuclear wasteland. Visiting the real-world locations that inspired these games offers a fascinating parallel view of the country's landscapes and history.
Fallout: New Vegas (Nevada/California)
Goodsprings, NV: The exact starting point in New Vegas, a real town with its iconic Pioneer Saloon and General Store that hosts annual fan events. Also the Hoover Dam and the Mojave desert landscapes.
Fallout 4 (Boston, Massachusetts)
Tracking the Freedom Trail through the real Boston: the Massachusetts State House with its golden dome, the Old North Church, and the historic warship USS Constitution.
Fallout 3 & 76 (Washington D.C. & West Virginia)
The Capital Wasteland: The National Mall, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the distinctive D.C. Metro subway architecture. Meanwhile, Appalachia features real landmarks like The Greenbrier Resort (Whitespring) and the New River Gorge Bridge.
China: Peering into the Future at Global Tech Hubs
China's rapid technological advancement makes it a must-visit for any tech enthusiast. Capturing the sheer scale of their hardware markets and innovation centers is a core goal.
Shenzhen: The Silicon Valley of Hardware
The heartbeat of consumer electronics and AI.
- Huaqiangbei Electronics Market: The world's largest hardware and components bazaar.
- DJI Headquarters: Experiencing the flagship hub of the world's leading drone manufacturer.
- Futuristic Infrastructure: Experiencing drone delivery services and autonomous taxis firsthand.
Beijing & Hangzhou: Core Innovation
Where software, e-commerce, and big data intersect.
- Zhongguancun (Beijing): Known as "China's Silicon Valley," an incubator for colossal startups.
- Alibaba HQ (Hangzhou): Immersive looks into digital ecosystems and the Wensan Future Technology Center.
- AIROBOX Robot Dream Factory: Futuristic robotic engineering exhibitions.
Looking Forward
Traveling isn't just about taking pictures—it's about understanding the environments that cultivate global culture. Walking through Akihabara, tracing the Freedom Trail, and witnessing the sheer scale of Huaqiangbei will bring entirely new perspectives to the ways I design and think about the world.