The 5 AM Rule
July 25, 2026
Bamboo groves, temple gates, market squares, mountain viewpoints — every one of them is a different place at first light, and identical to a postcard by ten.
You don't need to do it every day. Two early mornings in a week is enough to change how a trip feels, and you get the afternoons back for sitting still.
Bring a jacket, know where breakfast is, and accept one sleepy afternoon.