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Ryan | Photographer & Videographer

@ryan_bednar

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▪️Currently: van lifing in Japan 📍
▪️Off-the-beaten-path adventures 🥾
▪️More fun on YouTube 👇🏼

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I’m starting a new series called Islands of Japan, where I’ll be showcasing some of the lesser seen islands I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. The first of this new series is Kumejima, which I just got back from. It’s a small island just 100km from the main island of Okinawa, yet it’s so underrated. The biggest sand bar in Japan, a network of limestone caves, quiet beaches, great diving, and a variety of local culinary specialties are just some of the things you can expect to enjoy when you visit.

A big part of what made this visit so great was staying at @shinminka_villa. It’s a project adapting traditional Okinawan building techniques to modern living. Rather than the concrete blocks that have taken over Okinawa’s landscape, Shinminka reverts back to using local chaagi wood, with wide bays creating a bright and ventilated space. The greenery permeating the space blurs the boundaries between inside and outside, which is a breath of fresh air in this day and age, especially for those living in cities. In my architecture undergrad, these were exactly the types of projects that excited me, so it was an honour to be able to photograph and stay in it. taken in Okinawa｜沖縄 by @ryan_bednar

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a day ago

Rishiri, a volcano rising out of the sea off the coast of Japan’s northernmost prefecture. Despite being a country full of volcanoes, there are only a couple instances of a stratocolcano rising out of the sea as if to be floating.

📍Cape Peshi

Sitting just 90km from Russia, this area of Hokkaido looks very different from the Japan you’re probably used to. In my opinion, it shares some similarities to Scandinavia in its landscapes.

Rishiri is the name of both the mountain and the island, but Mt. Rishiri also goes by Rishirifuji (just as many other stratovolcanoes in Japan have the “Fuji” suffix). The two towns that share the island go by Rishiri Town and Rishirifuji Town. Not at all confusing right?

The surrounding waters grow what’s considered to be some of the most delicious kelp in the country, especially for making dashi.

I got to see the locals at work, cutting the strands of kelp which measured around 3m long, and even tasted the dried kelp while I was at it. It was delicious.

📍Fujinoenchi Observation Deck

A nice spot to view sunset….

📍Fujinoenchi Observation Deck

A nice spot to view sunset….

📍Fujinoenchi Observation Deck

And to view Rishiri of course.

📍Hime Numa

Views from the top of Rishirifuji itself. I highly recommend climbing it, but only if you’re up for the 15km 1600m elevation hike!

Rishirifuji basking in the golden hour glow.

The crisp air makes for some amazing ocean sunsets.

Rishiri viewed through my van from the adjacent Rebun Island.

If you like learning about interesting areas in Japan, you’re in the right place. Follow along for more ✌🏼 taken in Rishiri Island by @ryan_bednar

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10 days ago

Nagano is my place of choice for summer in Japan. Cooler temperatures (otherwise I wouldn’t survive in my van), the majestic Japanese Alps, crystal clear mountain streams to cool off in, and so much history. One of the highlights from earlier in the summer was staying at @thevillaazalea, a beautifully renovated home with over 200 years of history, sitting right on the Nakasendo. taken in Nagano Prefecture by @ryan_bednar

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a month ago

When summer hits in Japan, you can find me in the Alps 😌. taken in Japan Alps by @ryan_bednar

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2 months ago

Izu, my favourite getaway so close to Tokyo. Don’t be mistaken, you won’t be able to even scratch the surface on a day or even weekend trip, in fact you could spend an entire week here and not have seen it all. That’s why my mini guide keeps growing every time I come back, I keep coming across new spots! taken in Izu Peninsula by @ryan_bednar

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a month ago

One of the highlights in Mongolia was taking out bikes from Tsetserleg through @fairfield_guesthouse and riding through the open plains, something I wish I dedicated more time to. Yes, I soaked my feet on that stream crossing, and don’t mind the sounds me and @kenny_hagen make 😂. taken in Arkhangai Province by @ryan_bednar

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2 months ago

In my books, Tohoku ranks as the third most underrated region in Japan. It just has a quaintness to it that I can’t quite put my finger on, but it’s always a pleasure to take a drive through here (also helps that it was the first region I drove my van through when I bought it almost two years ago 🤯). taken in Tōhoku by @ryan_bednar

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2 months ago

Three weeks in Mongolia flew by! @kenny_hagen and I got to explore a bit of everything, from the towering Altai mountains in the far west, Khuvsgul Lake in the north, to a lot of the central steppe. I have so much footage, I’m stoked to get editing it and up on YouTube, and of course I’ll share some individual clips and mini vlogs on here 😉. taken in Mongolia by @ryan_bednar

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2 months ago

Kyushu, despite having been there on two extended trips in my van now, is a region I feel I have not done justice. But alas, here are some of my favourite photos from those two trips. A couple pics in here I’ve never posted, so this was an excuse to finally put them out there. taken in Kyushu by @ryan_bednar

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3 months ago

Possibly the most beautiful setting I’ve witnessed in Japan to watch the sun sink into the ocean… I was pretty low on money last month and I almost didn’t take this trip up to Hokkaido because of that, but I remembered that most of my best decisions in this van life journey across Japan.. were not financially responsible ones. Man am I glad I listened to my gut. taken in Hokkaido by @ryan_bednar

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3 months ago

While we’re on this map trend, I thought I’d put together some recaps of my favourite regions in Japan and the photos I’ve taken in them. Starting with the beautiful Kii Peninsula, making up most of Nara, Wakayama, and Mie. taken in Kii Peninsula by @ryan_bednar

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4 months ago

A few photos from Hokkaido’s “Flower Island”, which gets its nickname from being home to over 300 alpine wildflowers. An incredible place for nature appreciators. taken in Hokkaido by @ryan_bednar

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4 months ago