Onward with our zip around the colourful city of Osaka. Full of adorable plushies, giant squid and all manner of colourful delights. Osaka is made up of several different districts including the hectic Dōtonbori area. Historically a theatre district, it’s now a popular nightlife and entertainment area with large illuminated billboards and quirky advertising. IContinue reading “Insane adverts”
Category Archives: Japan
Odds and ends
It’s the last few memories of Kyoto now before we head onto our final destination. We check out the atmospheric bamboo forests in Arashiyama. The light is fading so it adds a slightly gloomy feel to the eerie, empty forest. The bamboo forest paths which are over 500 meters long are set between Tenryuji temple andContinue reading “Odds and ends”
Just monkeys
If you don’t like monkeys then move along as this post is utterly devoted to the furry little fleabags. It’s just lots more snaps of the snow monkeys to be found at the monkey park in Arashiyama…. Whether huddled in family groups picking fleas off babies to sitting aloofly in the trees shooting vaguely contemptuousContinue reading “Just monkeys”
Cheeky monkeys
We’re heading to check out some more of Japan’s wildlife now, but instead of deer, this time it’s a more furry type we’re after. We’re heading to the Iwatayama Monkey Park in Kyoto. On route we enjoy the pretty scenery of Arashiyama including this impressive river complete with little pleasure boats. In order to get toContinue reading “Cheeky monkeys”
Tiny trams and kimono forests
We’re headed to see some cheeky monkeys and a kimono forest next but in order to get there we’re heading on an adorable little tram line known as Randen. The Randen tramline was founded in 1910. It’s been running for over 100 years and runs from Shijo Omiya to Arashiyama and Kitano Hakubaicho. The Randen LineContinue reading “Tiny trams and kimono forests”
Glittering glorious temple
Next on our tourist hit list is the shimmering, glittering glory of The Temple of the Golden Pavillion. This beautiful slice of golden glory is known as Kinkaku-ji meaning the “Temple of the Golden Pavilion” but it is officially named Rokuon-ji “Deer Garden Temple” It is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto and is aContinue reading “Glittering glorious temple”
Quaint Kyoto
Here’s a few more snaps from the beautiful back streets of Kyoto. The deep red wooden panels are so pretty and calming. It’s like stepping back in time to a more cultured, gentle era where everyone is poised and delicate like little dolls. We happen to stumble upon this gorgeous newly wedded couple in traditionalContinue reading “Quaint Kyoto”
Memoirs of a Geisha bridge
The small Shirakawa canal crosses the geisha district of Gion in Kyoto. Several bridges are built over the canal, the largest of them being Tatsumi Bashi. This tiny bridge has been made a tourist hot spot after featuring in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. It’s an adorable little spot with its orange picket fenceContinue reading “Memoirs of a Geisha bridge”
Temples and angry hornets
Following on from the frantic traditional shopping streets of Gion we’re heading to another evocative part of Kyoto, the tearooms on the canal sides. On route we visit another pretty traditional temple that warns of “bees” DO NOT BE FOOLED – these are not our cute little bumble variety, hell no. These are deadly asianContinue reading “Temples and angry hornets”
KAWAII KITTYS!!!!!
Stop right there, this post carries a serious Kawaii warning! That is all . . proceed at your own risk . . Imagine my delight, on the back streets of Gion in Kyoto .. That’s right, it’s Hello Kitty food!! Tiny little sugary cute kitten faces with unidentified pink stuff . . OMG kitten iceContinue reading “KAWAII KITTYS!!!!!”