See Amusing sights in Japan

Saw the national sumo championship - absolutely fascinating - commentary in English to explain all the nuances of the sport. See the mpg video too (~7Mb).

At Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji is the largest fish market in Tokyo - all the sushi that's eat in the city is distributed from there.

I was lucky enough to go with both Yoshi's restauranteer friend, Taiso, and a vendor. (Hence why I was offered to wield that 6 foot knife!).


The tuna arrive in wooden boxes the size of coffins (which they are really) - this one's a tiddler at 4 feet long.

About the same as London though. Kenta took me to his home town of Kamakura on the morning after 20cm of snow.

Even Buddha found it cold.

View from the Metropolitan Government Offices
This indicates what a huge city Tokyo is - 10 storey apartment buildings still exist 30 minutes outside of downtown town.

30 million people. Yep, they do have special people employed on the subway platform to squeeze passengers in through the doors. For your sanctity, they do wear nice white gloves. I couldn't imagine the experience in the heat of summer….

Shibuya Crossing

I guess this is a 'typical' busy photo of Tokyo: Shibuya crossing. When the lights change to red, thousands of people (literally!) cross the road at the same time in wall of people. (Imagine an army of samurai foot soldiers!)

Ginkakuji Temple


Heian Shrine - gardens

That's carefully raked fine gravel - a PERFECT cone in the distance. Rain or even overnight dew/frost must require fastidious rework each morning.

Shinjuku Gardens

I saw heaps of shrines and temples - more than I could count, photograph, remember. Below are some of the more interesting ones.

Kikakuji - Golden Pavilion



Heian Shrine (Kyoto)


Kiyomizu Shrine