SNAPS

SHOSHIN: The beautiful art of knowing nothing

Carl Magadia · Nov 2, 2026, 7:03 AM

Photographs by Carl Magadia

We spend much of our lives trying to understand everything, convinced that knowledge makes us better equipped to navigate the world. Yet somewhere along the way, we forget that some of life’s greatest pleasures come from knowing absolutely nothing.

I traveled to Tokyo and Chiba for business, although what stayed with me had little to do with work.

I found a peculiar satisfaction in getting lost in Japan’s intricate railway system and wandering through Ginza, Minato and Shibuya without a map, allowing unfamiliar streets to lead me into places I never intended to visit.

THE streets of Shibuya come alive after dark as illuminated skyscrapers, passing vehicles and pedestrians create a restless urban landscape where even an unfamiliar intersection becomes an invitation to explore

INSIDE a modest Japanese restaurant, cooks prepare meals within arm’s reach of customers, offering a glimpse into the everyday routines and culinary traditions that travelers often discover by wandering beyond familiar dining destinations.

A MODIFIED Japanese sports car cruises through the neon-lit streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, where Japan’s legendary car culture comes alive against a backdrop of towering skyscrapers and bustling intersections.

The Japanese call it shoshin, or beginner’s mind, a philosophy of approaching the world with curiosity and the humility to recognize how little we know.

Perhaps adulthood’s greatest tragedy is that familiarity gradually robs us of astonishment. A child can spend an afternoon marveling at the discovery of his own hands, while we can cross oceans and overlook extraordinary things simply because we have forgotten how to wonder.

I believe this is how we ought to travel, regardless of how many countries we have visited. The purpose is not to collect destinations or photographs, but to discover how much of the world remains unknown.

I went to Japan believing I was there to accomplish something, only to return with a renewed appreciation for everything I have yet to understand.

Perhaps growing wiser begins with finding the courage to become a beginner again.

ALONG a quieter street in Ginza, a neighborhood coffee shop sits beneath an unassuming building, offering the kind of unexpected discovery that makes exploring a foreign city without a fixed itinerary worthwhile.

IT is one of those unexpected discoveries that make wandering through unfamiliar streets worthwhile, where curiosity leads travelers to places they never intended to find

AMID Ginza’s commercial buildings and passing traffic, a uniformed worker stands along the street, reflecting the quiet discipline and attention to order woven into the rhythms of everyday Japanese life.

HIDDEN between concrete buildings, a small traditional garden offers a peaceful contrast to Tokyo’s crowded streets, reminding visitors that some of the city’s most interesting discoveries are found in places easily overlooked