First - a little apology for being awful at updating my blog. In my defence, I was doing the Intensive Japanese course this semester and so I was busy with that and then usually too tired to concentrate on anything. So, this final post for the year is kind of like a bumper post I guess. Anyway...
After a relaxing Spring break in the UK, I returned to Tokyo to carry on my studies. I was a bit nervous about going back due to reported worries of radiation, etc. but everything seemed to be OK in Tokyo in the end, with the only noticeable thing since then being that the train lights are often switched off during the day, as were the lights and air con at university.
I returned for the end of 'hanami' (the cherry blossom period) and managed to get some photos.
It was pretty, but from friends' photos, it was much more impressive a week or so before.
As I had returned for what was to be the final semester, I was more aware that time was short. So I went with Tessa to Tokyo Tower (like a red and white, Japanese Eiffel Tower), which was fun, but I didn't like being so high up! Here are some of the photos from the day:
We (sort of accidentally) visited a shrine on the way to the tower, so I have included those pics too:
(Some kind of art installation, I think)
I like this photo.
Tessa in front of a billboard of Tokyo Tower, in front of Tokyo Tower. It would have been almost the same view from about 10 metres from there anyway.
Me in front of the same billboard, throwing up a 'v' for good measure.
With...(Dr.) Godzilla?
And me.
A graveyard, from the viewing deck of Tokyo Tower.
View from the glass floor (SCARY!).
The shrine we visited, from the tower.
After that, we went to the world's worst waxwork museum!
Julia Roberts
Winston Churchill
Mao
Albert Einstein
Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Princess Diana and Anne Frank
Ghandi (lol)
Alice, The Mad Hatter, The (White?!) Rabbit
Jimi Hendrix
The Beatles
Tessa with her hero, Yoda.
It was a fun day!
At the end of June, before coming back to the UK, I took a trip to Kansai, staying in Kyoto. I took the Shinkansen (bullet train), which was expensive but I was short of time and it was very fast.
Don't mess with Boss Coffee!
Kyoto Station's weird architecture.
And again.
Kyoto Tower from the 15th floor of the Granvia Hotel.
And again.
The ladies who seemed to like the pigeons (gross)!
In Gion, the geisha district.
Dog with sunglasses?
Geisha in a taxi!
Why buy a Mercedes and then do THIS to it? Horrendous.
Kyoto tower at night.
A train going to Kyoto.
How Kansai does air con on the trains!
The famous Fushimi Inari gates (Memoirs of a Geisha)
And again.
"Warning! Don't get up to mischief!"
Ghibley!
Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera!
It's gravel!
And more gravel!
Turtle!
During my Kyoto holiday, I went to Osaka for an evening. I didn't get to see the castle, but it was a good evening. Admittedly, the main purpose was to hunt out some delicious takoyaki!
Osaka
Takoyaki dinner #1
Shinsaibashi!
Takoyaki dinner #2
I have wanted to stay in a capsule hotel since I can remember (I think I saw it on Blue Peter as a kid) and so I was finally able to do it in Kyoto!
My capsule!
On my final day in Kyoto, I visited Kinkakuji, Nijo Castle and Nara:
Kinkakuji
Big up yourself!
Nijo Castle
Funny sign at Nara.
The boy had some food in his mouth I think. Good excuse to get off with a deer.
Huge Buddha!
I had a great time in Kansai and I would love to go again, especially to explore Osaka a little more as I was only there for around 4 or 5 hours. If anyone's in Kyoto, I will give you the details of the capsule hotel as it's certainly an experience and affordable!
It wouldn't be my blog without some funny things I've seen:
This is a brand of bicycle.
As is this. Mine was a 'Fromage' brand, and my friend's was a 'Patio Box' brand. Hmmm.
If the bars are saying it, it MUST be true!
"How do you do? I am a white fluffy cat. Look at my red ribbon! It's a present from my mother". Not that funny, but made me chuckle.
I love to rerax!
Watch out, Kids!
It really is amazing how much katsu sandwiches taste like wind in the meadows!
A store called 'Juvenile Delinquent'!
It WAS better than delicious!
Interesting.
So Japanese!
"Beard Papa's"?
"England Sandwich". Not sure what makes it so English.
Wicked!
Cars are prohibited from the store.
Old bollock head to save the day!
"150% BIG!" "It's so cold!"
'Spam' cuddly toys outside Burger King in Shibuya. The arrow reads, "So cute!". Yeah.
That's the last of my blogging for this adventure. I hope you have enjoyed reading it and keeping up with what I've been doing over the year. I have had a great time in Japan and met some amazing people! I will definitely be returning in the future and will update here/make a new blog as and when I am back in Japan!
