zzoos travel blog with photos and notes from Korea and Japan

Welcome to zzoos.net

zzoos.net is a personal archive of travel photography and essays focusing on Korea and Japan.

English / Japanese sections available.

This section brings together travel essays and photo stories written in English.
The posts are based on slow, solo walks through cities and towns, focusing on streets, everyday scenes, food, and quiet moments encountered while traveling through Korea and Japan.

Street Scenes: The Crane Town, Off-Season Quiet

2026-08-27 · zzoos · Orange Railway and Kagoshima 2026

#7 Izumi

Over 80% of the world's hooded cranes winter in Izumi, Kagoshima — but I came in midsummer. Empty streets, Honmachi lanterns, and a small town in its off-season.

Not Oyako-don, but Oyako Steak Gohan!

2026-08-25 · zzoos · Orange Railway and Kagoshima 2026

#6 Ajidokoro Uomatsu

Only three restaurants in Izumi, Kagoshima serve Oyako Steak Gohan. At Ajidokoro Uomatsu: grilled Izumi-dori steak, egg soup, and a double-yolk Lucky Egg.

Stone Walls, and All That Green

2026-08-23 · zzoos · Orange Railway and Kagoshima 2026

#5 Izumi-Fumoto Samurai Residences

Rented an e-bike at Izumi Station and rode the Izumi-Fumoto Samurai Residences — grid streets, stone walls, Suwa Shrine, and a green tea affogato at Chanoka.

Samurai Town on the Northern Edge of Satsuma

2026-08-20 · zzoos · Orange Railway and Kagoshima 2026

#4 Izumi-Fumoto History Museum

An e-bike from Hirari, the Izumi-Fumoto History Museum, and a caretaker at Takezoe-tei who explained why Satsuma planted a samurai town on its northern border.

First Night in Izumi, and a Bit of Happenstance

2026-08-18 · zzoos · Orange Railway and Kagoshima 2026

#3 Yumezen Izumi

Two places to drink in Izumi, Kagoshima: Yumezen, the izakaya inside KOKO STAY Izumi with all-you-can-drink shochu, and BASE, a tachinomi open late in an alley.

zzoo’s Blog in Japanese

こちらには、日本語で書いた旅行記と写真エッセイをまとめています。
韓国や日本を歩きながら出会った街の風景や、日常の静かな瞬間を記録しています。