Travel Sketching in Japan

Japan has always been at the top of my travel list, but plans to visit were put on hold after the 2011 Fukushima incident and postponed further during the 2020 global pandemic. Finally, in May 2024, I made my first trip to Tokyo and Kyoto with my wife. It was a short eight-day adventure, just enough for a taste of Japan but still a perfect escape from the demands of corporate life.

With flights, Shinkansen tickets (bullet train), and accommodations booked, I dove into research—what to see, eat, and, of course, where to sketch. As a travel sketcher, I had a list of landmarks and hidden gems I wanted to capture on paper, a secondary mission that gave our journey a creative purpose. My wife graciously embraced my sketching hobby as part of our itinerary, allowing me to balance both sketching and savoring the experience of exploring Japan together.

There’s always the risk that sketches started in the field won’t get finished, but the spontaneity is part of the charm.

—Thainlin Tay

I didn’t want to let my sketchbook dominate the trip, though, so I aimed to keep my sketches small and quick, letting the moments we experienced together shape my art rather than taking over.

My Travel Sketching Kit

A black notebook labeled "Tokyo" with a charm, placed next to a pencil case containing various pens, markers, a brush, and a watercolor palette with vibrant colors. — TRAVELER’S COMPANY Notebook and other sketching supplies.

Packing for travel sketching always starts with my “base:” the sketchbook. For years, I carried around an 8" x 12" (A4) sketchbook but found it too bulky for fast sketches in busy or tight spaces. For Japan, I opted for the TRAVELER’S COMPANY Notebook in their classic regular size—an 8.6" (210mm) by 4.3" (110mm) format that opens up to a versatile square spread. The Notebook’s interchangeable refills are a game-changer; I use their Sketch Paper (#12) and the Accordion Fold Paper (#32), all tucked into a black leather cover that made setup a breeze.

Like most Ramen shops in Tokyo, this Michelin-star Ramen shop (pictured below) in the upmarket shopping district of Ginza has limited seating, and I queued patiently for 45 minutes before I could savor the delectable noodles in flavorful clam broth.

A sketchbook spread featuring a bowl of clam broth ramen on the left, accompanied by notes about lunch at Ginza. On the right, an illustration of a coffee cup with the phrase "A cup of coffee to complete the experience" alongside drawings of a wallet and a building labeled "Traveler's Factory." Dates noted are May 25 and May 26, 2024. — The TRAVELER’S COMPANY Factory in Nakameguro is a must-visit for any TRAVELER’S COMPANY Notebook fans!

A black travel journal with a label reading "Tokyo," a paperclip attached, and a pen resting beside a black pencil case. A charm featuring a globe hangs from the journal's elastic band. — My well-seasoned TRAVELER’S COMPANY Notebook with a leather cover and pencil case.

To keep things light, I swapped my usual fountain pens and ink bottles for fine line markers with 0.3 and 0.5 tips filled with permanent black ink. My watercolor palette was a compact Art Toolkit Pocket Palette, loaded with rich Daniel Smith pigments (scroll down for a full paint list), paired with a medium-tip Pentel Water Brush and three Escoda travel brushes. A white gel pen, pencil, and eraser rounded out my supplies, all neatly organized in a pencil case that fits easily into my backpack with my cameras (yes, two—I also love photography!) and other travel necessities.

Too Much to Sketch, Too Little Time

It’s tempting to start sketching the moment I arrive at a new place, but I’ve learned to hold back. Taking in the atmosphere, sounds, and views and experiencing them with my wife before diving into sketching makes a trip feel richer. I didn’t want to retreat into my own world, so I adjusted my approach to quick sketches or light pencil outlines, later filling in details at a café, restaurant, or even back at the hotel. This method let me savor the moment while also leaving time to complete sketches later if needed.

A colorful illustration of Gotokuji Temple, featuring traditional Japanese architecture amidst lush trees and greenery. A lantern and a charming cat are also depicted in the foreground, adding to the serene atmosphere. — I was sketching from the serene garden grounds of this Shinto temple that is said to be the birthplace to the popular “Maneki-Neko” or the Lucky Cat.

A watercolor illustration featuring a traditional Japanese marketplace on the left, bustling with people and colorful umbrellas, and a pagoda surrounded by greenery on the right. A gentle blue sky accentuates the scene. — One of the top attraction in Kyoto is this historic shopping street with old shophouses, leading to the huge temple grounds of Kiyomizu-Dera.

Of course, when sketching on location, it’s easy to get lost in the details. I kept my sketches loose, knowing I could refine them later or use photos as references. There’s always the risk that sketches started in the field won’t get finished, but the spontaneity is part of the charm.

Expanding My Subjects

Initially, my sketches were almost entirely of landscapes and architecture. But over time, I’ve added new subjects—food, transportation (Japanese trains are a must!), street scenes, souvenirs, and locals. Each city has its unique character, and this variety brings my sketchbook to life.

A colorful sketch featuring a bowl of rice with fried eggs and braised pork alongside vegetables, and a street scene depicting a narrow road with shops in a quaint town. The date "2024-07-27" is noted. — A quaint neighborhood in Tokyo for vintage clothes shopping, complete with cool cafes and restaurants.

Sketchbook page featuring illustrations of a traditional Kyoto street scene and a 7-course dinner at Nagae Pontoccho. Includes detailed drawings of a building facade, food items, and handwritten notes with location details. — My accommodation and the beautifully crafted Kaiseiki dinner in the old part of Kyoto city.

Every meal in Tokyo is scrumptious—be it freshly made pancakes or steamed “siu-mai,” a pork-filled dumpling wrapped in yellow wanton skin.

Illustration featuring a hand-drawn depiction of a bento box with braised pork and egg on rice, alongside train tickets labeled "Green Car" for a Shinkansen ride to Kyoto. A stylized image of the Shinkansen train is included at the bottom. — An thrilling ride on the bullet train “Shinkansen” from Tokyo to Kyoto, complete with a Japanese Ekiben lunch boxes for dining on the go.

The Power of Words

Sketches alone don’t capture the full experience, so I include notes or annotations. While I’m not a writer, a few words alongside each sketch breathe life into it, serving as a reminder of specific moments or details. It’s a habit I’m working on and finding rewarding; even small captions bring memories rushing back. I want to write more in my future sketchbooks, though… that’s something that I will probably work on moving forward.

Embracing Imperfection

Travel sketching is an ongoing journey, a constant “work-in-progress.” There’s no perfection to strive for—only moments to capture.

A colorful illustration of Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, featuring the iconic buildings and bustling crowds. Signs in various languages and advertisements decorate the area, capturing the vibrant urban atmosphere. The date and "Shibuya Scramble!" are noted in the bottom corner. — The world’s busiest pedestrian crossing is the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo—a must to experience and sketch!

A watercolor illustration of the Tsukiji Outer Market in Japan, featuring market stalls, buildings, and people in the foreground. The scene includes the name "Tsukiji" in Japanese characters at the top, with a date written at the bottom. — The old fish market of Tokyo is a big tourist attraction—most people were here for the street food, but I was contented to sketch this.

A watercolor illustration depicting a street view in Jingumae, featuring a small shop with a sign, nearby trees, utility poles, and a clear blue sky. — A very hip neighborhood to shop in Tokyo, but I was happier to be sketching than shopping.

Each sketch is a stepping stone, part of a larger, ever-evolving artistic adventure. I’ve let go of the idea of returning home with a perfect, brag-worthy sketchbook. Instead, my travel sketches are visual journals filled with moments and memories. They may be rough or unfinished, but they’re uniquely mine—marks of love, memories of our travels, and a piece of my story.

Pocket Palette Paint List

A workspace featuring a palette of watercolors, a black sketchbook, a pen, and a circular cup. A keychain with a globe and Explore hangs nearby.

Row 1: Hooker’s Green (DS), Raw Umber (DS), Burnt Sienna (DS), Yellow Ochre (DS), New Gamboge (DS), Naples Yellow (DS), White Gouache

Row 2: Undersea Green (DS), Indanthrone Blue (DS), Ultramarine Blue (DS), Quinacridone Gold (HB), Permanent Red (DS), Van Dyck Brown (DS), Graphite Gray (DS)

Row 3: Permanent Green Light (DS), Verditer Blue (DS), Buff Titanium (DS), Quinacridone Red (DS),

DS = Daniel Smith, HB = Holbien

Thank you, Thainlin, for sharing art and such personal reflections from your trip to Japan! Your approach and advice about balancing creating and experiencing is inspirational!

About Thainlin Tay

Thainlin sketches on a bench.

Thainlin Tay lives on the tropical island of Singapore. The rapid urbanization of a small country like Singapore means old and new architecture coming together in one place. As an avid urban sketcher and artist, Thainlin enjoys going to the city’s older, more historical parts to sketch buildings and places of worship that harken back to when Singapore was a trading port for the old British Empire.

Thainlin is an Art Toolkit Ambassador who has led an Art Toolkit Travel Sketching demo as well as instructed our People in Motion workshop, available now. Learn more about him on his Ambassador Page.