When two U.S. Army photographers set off on a photo-centric journey across Japan, it wasn’t for a deployment or to cover a training exercise — it was a spontaneous adventure born out of friendship, curiosity and a shared love of visual storytelling.

It began with a conversation between old friends.

Michel Sauret, a Pittsburgh-based Italian immigrant and former Army Reserve first sergeant, often visits Italy to reconnect with childhood friend Stefano Riccardi. Over the years, Riccardi — an avid traveler with a passion for Japan — frequently sang the praises of the country’s food, culture and aesthetic charm.

This year, with Sauret marking his 40th birthday and Riccardi working in Japan overseeing a Caravaggio painting in the Vatican’s pavilion at the World Expo in Osaka, the timing felt perfect. A milestone moment, a bucket list destination, and a friend already in-country — it was all too serendipitous to ignore.

Sauret reached out to longtime Army buddy Justin Morelli, a master sergeant with the 200th Military Police Command of the Army Active Guard Reserve at Fort Meade, Md.

“I knew he loved international adventures and had gone on incredible trips around the world,” Sauret said via Messenger on May 30. “I half-joked, half-pleaded, ‘Next time you go on one of those trips, take me with you.’ But instead of waiting, I decided to make it happen myself.”

Armed with cameras, curiosity and a shared military mindset, the pair embarked on a 10-day photographic journey that spanned from the neon-lit alleyways of Tokyo to the tranquil waters of Lake Ashi, through the hot springs of Hakone, and westward to Kyoto and Osaka, where Riccardi welcomed them.

For Sauret and Morrelli, Japan proved to be a photographer’s dream. Kyoto’s quiet alleys, Tokyo’s glowing vending machines, and the elegant silhouettes of kimono-clad locals offered endless visual inspiration.

The pace was their own — no guilt in lingering, no rush to move on. Their cameras guided their route, and their military background gave them both the discipline and adaptability to thrive in the moment.

Their most memorable challenge came in Hakone, where they attempted to capture the elusive Mount Fuji.

“You see those postcard images of Japan’s iconic structures and landscapes so often that you think you’re just going to show up and the mountain is going to be perfectly lit and it’s going to be ready for you,” Sauret said.

Their first evening there, Fuji was completely obscured by clouds. Rather than move on, they adjusted their itinerary and stayed an extra night. At 3:30 a.m., patience rewarded them with a breathtaking view.

In Tokyo, Sauret spotted a poised woman in a kimono and, using a smartphone translator, asked if she would pose for a street portrait. Instead, she led them to her private club, where they found themselves photographing her alongside her fluffy dog in a velvet-draped lounge.

Not every moment was so perfectly framed. In Kyoto, they were gently corrected by a temple attendant for putting their shoes on just six inches ahead of the acceptable threshold — an important cultural nuance, and a reminder that even seasoned travelers can’t know it all.

Despite long days — walking up to 14 miles and surviving on just a few hours of sleep — the pair thrived. Their military background lent discipline and flexibility, allowing them to adapt quickly, troubleshoot on the go, and make room for unexpected detours.

“It was an incredible opportunity for us to bond again over shared experiences in the Army, but then expand on that,” Morrelli by Messenger on May 30. “We’ll definitely do more of these trips in the future. The adventure is just in us as soldiers, and that sense of adventure needs to be fulfilled.”