Japan winter travel with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7

We also managed to work in a snowmobile experience, which added a more active side to the Hakuba leg of the trip. It was cold, of course, but in a way that felt appropriate for the setting rather than uncomfortable. Being out in the snow, surrounded by trees and low winter light, gave the day a different rhythm from just sightseeing or moving between shops and restaurants. It is also one of those activities that does not necessarily require you to be an experienced winter sports person to enjoy.

With the Fold7, I found myself shooting more casually and more often during this part of the trip. I could use it like a regular phone when I needed to take a quick photo, then open it up later when I wanted to properly check if the shot had worked. Of course, my iPhone could do the same job too. But the Fold7’s larger display was especially useful in Hakuba, as it allowed me to review and edit photos more easily and more accurately than I could on a smaller screen.

Gunma / Kusatsu

From Nagano, our trip moved to the prefecture of Gunma, and the mood changed quite a bit. If you’re into onsen, then Kusatsu Onsen has to be at the top of your list. This hot spring town is widely celebrated as one of Japan’s top three historic hot springs and unlike many other hot spring towns, Kusatsu Onsen’s water is rich in minerals (highly acidic and sulfurous) and possesses strong disinfecting properties that the townsfolk celebrated it for curing everything “except lovesickness”.

We stayed at the excellent Kusatsu Onsen hotel, just across the most recognisable spot in town – Yubatake, the large hot spring field at the centre of Kusatsu. It is one of those places that works both as a landmark and as a natural gathering point. You inevitably pass it multiple times a day because so many streets seem to lead back to it, and each time it feels slightly different depending on the light, the steam and the crowd. During the day, it is easier to appreciate the structure of the wooden channels and the pale green water running through them. At night, the area becomes more atmospheric, with the lighting, mist and surrounding buildings giving the town a warmer, more dramatic look.

Kusatsu is even more beautiful in the evening, when the lights come on and the steam softens the streets. This was when I enjoyed the town the most. There is a lovely contrast between the cold winter air and the warmth coming off the hot spring water, and it makes even a simple walk around town feel memorable. The illuminated areas, including the Kusatsu Illumiwalk and the paths around the hot spring district, give the town a gentle winter glow.

There are also small points of interest around Kusatsu that are worth exploring between meals and bathhouse visits. Kosenji Temple, with its bright red pagoda for example, makes for great TikTok or Instagram videos. The public foot baths are another easy way to enjoy the town without committing to a full onsen session, and they are especially pleasant when your feet are tired from walking around in the cold.

What I liked most about Kusatsu was that it did not feel like a place that needed to be “completed”. We did not go there tick off a long list of attractions. We went there to soak, walk, eat, rest and enjoy the atmosphere. That made it a nice contrast to Hakuba. One part of the trip felt open, active and scenic; the other felt slower, warmer and more intimate. Together, I felt they made Nagano and Gunma a very satisfying winter pairing, especially for those of us who want more than just the usual Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto itinerary.

To fold or not to fold

In the end, travelling with the Galaxy Z Fold7 in Nagano and Gunma prefectures did not drastically change the way I take photos on holiday, but it did change how often I was willing to shoot, review and edit them on the move. I could pull the phone out quickly, take a photo without overthinking it, and later unfold the screen to review the image properly or make quick adjustments in Lightroom without feeling like I was working within the limits of a regular phone display.

That larger canvas was the part I enjoyed more than I expected, and it is probably why I now want Apple to make a foldable iPhone a reality sooner rather than later. At the same time, I would be lying if I said the Fold7 made me forget about my Leica Q3. It’s not a fair comparison, of course. But there is still something I miss about the more deliberate approach of shooting with a proper camera, from framing a scene more carefully to the image quality and character you get out of a larger sensor and dedicated lens.

But as a travel companion for a winter holiday in Japan, the Fold7 made a strong case for itself. It was convenient, versatile, and always with me, which meant I came home with more photos than I probably would have taken otherwise.