Finally it’s come to the defining Japanese moment that the train geek man has been waiting for for months . . . our first bullet train!! These super slick, pointy nosed, high speed beasts criss-cross Japan at jaw dropping speeds. There’s no time for dilly dallying, hence the sight of cleaners lined up ready andContinue reading “Biting the bullet”
Category Archives: Japan
For Sakes sake . . .
Another of my Japanese obsessions is the beautifully ornate Sake barrels often found displayed close to shrines. There is a particularly impressive Sake barrel display close to the entrance of Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuyu. When displayed near a Shinto shrine, such barrels are called kazaridaru, which means “decoration barrels.” The barrels on display areContinue reading “For Sakes sake . . .”
High jinks in Harajuku
Next up on my must see list was the quirky shopping and sights of Tokyo’s stylish teens – Harajuku. So after watching the human chaos at Shibuyu crossing we head through the bustling streets towards the style mecca of Harajuku. We know we’ve arrived when we spot the cartoony flowers marking the entrance to TakeshitaContinue reading “High jinks in Harajuku”
Shibuya Scramble!
A quick hit and run post here folks! It would be a shame, nay a sacrilege, to come to Tokyo and not take a walk across the famous intersection outside Shibuya Station AKA the Shibuya Scramble! Rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world (and definitely in Japan), Shibuya Crossing sends literally hundreds ofContinue reading “Shibuya Scramble!”
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest and most popular parks. Close to Shinjuku Station, the park boasts spacious lawns, ambling little walkways and paths and peaceful scenery that provides a welcome green oasis of calm in the heart of the relentless city. The garden has more than 20,000 trees, including approximately 1,500 cherry trees whichContinue reading “Shinjuku Gyoen”
Sayonara Shinjuku
Here’s one last neon whirl around Shinjuku’s flashing lights and garish nightlife. I’m missing the frenetic city again! The temptation to book flights and head back is increasing with every photo I post! A last look at Godzilla is a kitschy reminder of the wealth of cultural influences that Japan has gifted to the world.Continue reading “Sayonara Shinjuku”
Golden Gai
Next on our nighttime tour of Shinjuku is Golden Gai. This quirky little slice of Tokyo nightlife is a rabbit warren of bars – almost like a shanty town for inebriation! Below are a couple of pictures of Golden Gai from above showing just how crammed in it is and how ramshackle the little businesses are.Continue reading “Golden Gai”
Sensory over load in the metropolis
Eager to make the most of our limited time in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo we head out into the bright lights of Shinjuku again. It’s a whirlwind of colour and sounds, endlessly scrolling sky high adverts and a flock of humans. Coming from a tiny rural town in the midland of the UK, itContinue reading “Sensory over load in the metropolis”
Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi
After briefly stopping to admire the Imperial Palace we head to the quirky little areas of Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi. Briefly stopping to ponder what on earth this rather graphic billboard is advertising! The area was unharmed during the firebombings in WWII, so there are plenty of temples and old buildings from the EdoContinue reading “Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi”
Tokyo Imperial Palace
After exploring the fish based alleyways of Tsukiji market we zip off to take a look at the Imperial Palace. It takes a while for us to get anywhere as I am obsessed with taking snaps of pretty much every cross roads I see . . . The Imperial Palace is located on the former siteContinue reading “Tokyo Imperial Palace”