Kyoto is currently a study in fleeting windows. Between the sudden spring downpours and the short-lived bloom, there’s a constant push and pull between the organic chaos of the city and the deliberate pace I try to keep. This week is about finding stability, whether through a new post-processing rig or the mental grit required to build a life here. Let’s dive into Issue #005.
01 / THE PULSE - Ephemeral Frames along the Kamo
This year, the sakura season felt more like a sprint than a stroll.
Between the unpredictable spring rains and a dense work schedule, the window of perfection was incredibly narrow. I managed to carve out a few hours for a long photo walk along the Kamogawa to capture these fleeting textures before they vanished.
There’s a specific blue in the Kyoto sky during this transition that makes the blossoms pop. I caught this moment where the organic chaos of the branches met the mechanical glow of a traffic signal. It’s a grounded, unpolished slice of the city, where my yellow knit bag accidentally matched the rhythm of the street.
02 / THE BREW - About Us Nijo Jo
While their Fushimi location was a solid start, the crowds were a deterrent.
Their new flagship near Sanjo Shotengai feels more aligned with the Kyoto I actually inhabit. Housed in a beautifully restored machiya, the space is expansive, airy, and grounded by their in-house roasting operation.
The coffee program is ambitious. Whether it’s a tight espresso, a textured latte, or a precise pour-over, the quality is undeniable, though keep an eye on the menu, as some of their rare beans carry a premium price tag.
Don't skip the banana bread; it’s one of the best iterations in the city.
Pro tip: Look for the miniature LEGO espresso machine at the entrance. It’s a playful nod to the precision they apply to the real thing.
03 / THE SPIN - Samia Farah : Self-titled (1999)
Kyoto has a way of introducing you to your own culture through a different lens. I recently discovered this gem while sitting in a local coffee shop; hearing French lyrics drifting over a sophisticated blend of dub and minimalist jazz was an immediate "shazam" moment.
Samia Farah is a Franco-Tunisian artist whose 1999 debut is a masterclass in smoky, textured trip-hop that feels strangely at home in the quiet backstreets of Japan. The album is notoriously elusive on major streaming platforms, making the hunt for the physical wax even more intentional.
It’s a rare intersection of North African soul and late-90s Parisian underground. If I ever find a copy in a local crate, it’s coming home with me.
04 / THE SIGNAL - NiYien-A1 & Gyroflow: Shaky Hands, Stable Frames
I’ve always had a natural tendency to be a bit shaky when filming handheld.
For a long time, I considered a gimbal or a monopod, but neither fit my philosophy of "traveling light." I didn't want to compromise the ability to switch between vertical stills and video in a heartbeat by mounting heavy gear.
I finally found a middle ground with the NiYien-A1 logger paired with Gyroflow for post-production stabilization.
It’s not a perfect solution, there are constraints when I shot, but the freedom it allows is worth the trade-off. I’m currently filming/editing a full Sakura video entirely with this setup, coming this May.
05 / THE THOUGHT - The Weight of the Choice
Living in Kyoto is a deliberate aesthetic and lifestyle choice, but it comes with a hidden ledger.
Beyond the serene temples and the perfect pour-overs lies the reality of being an immigrant: the personal sacrifices, the financial stakes, and the invisible swords of Damocles : visas, bureaucracy, cultural distance, that hang over our heads in a way they never did back home.
People often see the vacation version of Japan, the "effortless" cool. They miss the stress of building a life from scratch in a society that doesn't always have a slot ready for you. I
t’s a path we’ve chosen, and we own it, but it’s important to acknowledge that the "dream life" is built on a foundation of constant navigation. Some of these pressures fade with time; others, we simply learn to carry with grace.
To close this week, I’m putting the finishing touches on a new cinematic stroll from my winter trip to Onomichi. This time, we’re exploring the retro arcade shopping street of the city.
Stay grounded, -Nicolas
