Japan Update

Since my last post so much has happenening that I have been reluctant to actually post at all. As my last post was imageless I have added 15 photos to make up for it. In my previous post I wrote about my Mum coming over and about our trip to Kyoto and Toyko and I have finally gotten some images from then.

My latest trip was to Nara. Nara was the first Capitol of Japan and has become one of the main cultural tourist attraction because of its amazing temples, shrines and beautiful landscape. I decided on a warm day that I should go and experience more of Kansai so I hopped on the train for roughly 40 mins. On arrival I decided to follow a recomended track in my Lonely Planet guide. The first stop I made was this huge building made mainly out of wood. It is in fact the largest wooden building in the whole world.

This massive building was housing a Huge buddah which took up a large part. This image below doesnt quick capture the sheer size of the buddah. I read some exact measurements and weights and I can tell you they were impressive (however I cannot recite them).

I then ventured on along the trail which took me to an amazing view point looking out across much of Nara. up here was another shrine and a pleasant place to sit and drink tea. This was a releif after all the stair climbing. An old lady saw me looking in my guide book and helped me find this place. Her information was pretty useless but it was nice to have someone looking out for me.

I followed the path all the way along seeing many shrines unfortunately all the places I wanted to see were packed with Chinese tourists and young, noisy school kids which detracted from the whole peacefull experience. On my way back to the train station I saw some deer crossing a road at a pedestrian crossing. All I could thing of was abbey road album cover and then suddenly images of deer in suites popped into my mind.

There are many deer in Nara Koen (park) and people love to feed them. They are very polite and bow prior to recieving food. I saw this one stretching as far as possible to get a little bit of food.

All in all the Nara experience was pleasant and a nice brake from the city life of Osaka. I didnt spend enough time there to experience everything but for the time being it is enough. I really wish I could experience the place when its more quiet but I dont think that ever happens.

Since I have been living at Hiro's Guesthouse I have met alot of Korean/Japanese people. As I live in the Korean corner of Osaka (Korea town in fact) there are many Korean restaurants and Kimchee (spicy pickled vegitable) shops. I have become fortunate enough to meet many people who own Korean restaurants and so lately I have been recieving much food for free. Below is some cold noodles, sushi and kimchee I was given for breakfast one morning. Unfortunately I ate it very quickly and only got a photo halfway through the meal. Anyway, food here is great and im fortunate enough to recieve some most days.

These following photos are from when mum came over. I will use them to brake up more recent stories so the images may not correspond to the story. There isnt much more to tell tho. Since my last post ive just been living large, drinking nice beer. I usually order Nama which is the word for raw and here means tap beer.

This picture is from the Geisha

Living large eating Delicious food. Sushi, Sashimi, Curry, Katsudon (which i have learnt to cook), Kimchee, Korean pancake, Korean Noodle, 2am Ramen (equivilant of souv on the way home from a night out) Takoyaki, Yakiniku.


again from geishaBikes here in Japan are amazing as ive noted before. The other day I decided to go for a longer ride so ended up riding to Kyoto. Its roughly 60ks but seemed like 300 riding on my fixie without brakes and on a busy highway. Next time I will plan my route better.

this is a photo from a bike shop in kyoto.

this is the hotel me and mum stayed at in Kyoto. We felt very fortunate to get such a great deal

This is a traditional Ryukan (Tatami floored accomodation) in Kyoto

Here is the Kinkakuji of Kyoto. Golden temple

Eating Izakaya. All we ate this night was chicken in every form possible. From skin to insides.
I think this demonstrates how strange Japan is. The poor kitten was dressed up as a little lion. Roarrrrr!
Finally this is a katsudon I cooked. I am now getting pretty good at it. no need to venture out for my favourite meal anymore.

I had a little birthday party last saturday and took 20 instant photos (like polaroid). I will scan and upload them asap. Then post again. But for now this is it.

Cheers