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Funaya Hotel, Matsuyama, Shikoku

When I traveled to Shikoku and visited Dogo Onsen , I had the chance to stay at Funaya Hotel in Matsuyama. It is where the Emperor and Crown Prince have…

Hikarie, new building in Shibuya

It was a beautiful day again today in Tokyo, with blue skies and higher temperatures. Winter did not seem that cold this year, but today felt like it was…

Conbini Monday Wk77

Yutenji

The weekends are always a good time for a walk. The weather seems to get better and people on the street seem to be smiling more. I didn't have my main…

Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Last year at the end of summer I visited to Suzumushi Temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto and also to Ishiyama Temple which is nearby, but in Otsu City, Shiga…

Conbini Monday Wk76

There are not only foods, but also well-made figures at the convenience store. I hope you have a happy Valentine's Day with your significant other.

Hoshi Matsuri

Today was the annual Hoshi Matsuri at the Agon Shu Temple in Kyoto. I was surprised to see it being broadcast on so many different television stations…

Spring weather, Autumn reflection

The Spring weather seems to be hiding just around the corner as the trees start to get ready to show us their color. As we get ready for the colors of…

Conbini Monday Wk75

After Setsubun, Spring starts according to the calendar. It is still too cold in Tokyo, so you might want to try some of these hot drinks. In Japan, on…

Shinjuku Station

Shinjuku Station is said to be the busiest train station in the world with close to 4 million passengers a day passing through. I was one of those…

Kisaragi and Setsubun

The month of February used to be called Kisaragi in Japan. February was the second month of winter under the lunar calendar, which Japan used before the…

Temple Colors

It is very cold in Japan at the moment with snow falling heavily in many parts of the country. Back in summer when I visited Arashiyama, it was all blue…

Conbini Monday Wk74

After the snow we had in Tokyo last Monday, you might be tempted to stock up on some goods at the Conbini and stay at home with "Nama-cha Panda" instead.…

Sakamoto Ryoma

I watched the NHK drama series, Ryomaden 龍馬伝, in 2010 and also the Jin drama on TBS last year, which both focused on the story of Sakamoto Ryoma, 坂本龍馬. I…

Takamatsu, Shikoku

Takamatsu is the one of the gateway cities to Shikoku . Trains coming across the Seto Ohashi bridge as well as ferries coming from small islands and the main land, arrive at Takamatsu. It is an open planned city with beautiful parks and old style shopping arcades. A great base to explore the Setonaikai from, it also has its own rich history and culture.

Huis Ten Bosch

At the end of last year I went on a trip to Huis Ten Bosch, Nagasaki. It is a theme park built towards the end of the economic bubble years in Japan, and…

Shinjuku Nikon Plaza

I have had dirty marks on my camera mirror for a while now and decided to take it to The Nikon service center to get it cleaned. I went to the center in…

Snow in Tokyo

We had snow in Tokyo tonight. Normally we get a bit of snow between January and March, but it doesn't normally settle so easily. I expect by the morning…