10 March Ninja Training

A drizzly start to the day so we had to change our plans for the day to stay dry in the morning - forecast sunny for the afternoon. So we headed to the Samurai Museum by bus and managed to avoid getting wet.

Well we just had to have a go at being a Ninja.

I was rubbish!!! No matter what technique I used I could just about hit the board but nothing would stay in.

As you can see Peter would've made a fat better Ninja than me! He'd probably be much better at tip toeing around and being stealthy as well 😄.

So far Tokyo has got a disappointing collection of man hole covers. Nothing colourful spotted yet.

Senso-ji. Built in the 7th century it is Tokyo's oldest temple. Its 700kg giant red lantern hangs at the entrance gate.

It also houses the Five-Storied Pagoda from the Edo period. The biggest we've seen not surrounded by scaffolding.

Part of the Japanese temple experience is getting an omikuji - a written form of fortune telling.

After placing 100 yen in the donation box you shake the silver cannister (in photo on left) until a wooden stick falls out. Each stick is numbered. You then find the number on one of the drawers and there are slips of paper inside with a written fortune. If it's a bad fortune you fold it up and tie it on a nearby rack to ward the misfortune away. Mine was a lucky one so I'm awaiting good fortune 😁.

LAfter visiting the temple we had a walk along the Sumida River checking out some of the Tokyo architectural oddities. This the Golden Flame on top of the Asahi Group Headquarters but due to its peculiar shape, it is affectionately and jokingly referred to by locals as the "Kin no Unko" or the Golden Poo!

This is Tokyo Skytree which is the tallest tower in the world (634m) and the tallest structure in Japan.

Not sure if I'm brave enough to try puffer fish yet. Octopus, shrimp and sushi are ok but that might be pushing it.

Trying out some of the sweets - this is a caramel flavoured cross between smarties and fudge. Still prefer Cadburys and Galaxy any time.

Anyway, we're up another mountain tomorrow so fingers crossed for dry weather.

9 March Moved on to Tokyo

This morning was an early one. Well it was for us as we've been used to leisurely starts to the day!

Up before 7am, bags packed, breakfast eaten and then a trek via several tube and trains to outskirts of Kyoto for a craft morning.

We spent the morning creating a traditional tile from our blobs of clay.

Two hours later this was my effort.

Ian's creation.

They're both very different despite having the same instructions. We've left them to dry out and be fired before they get posted back to us. I wonder what the finished product will look like?

After our creative morning it was a walk to the Shinkansen station in Kyoto for a bullet train to Tokyo. Just over 2 hours to do nearly 300 miles!

Our Tokyo accommodation is along the traditional Japanese style. Futons and sitting on the floor at low tables. Not quite sure how the hips and knees will cope with getting off the floor but we've got 5 days to practice.

We originally thought we'd booked accommodation without a bathroom but after opening every possible door we found the shower and sink area in between in bedroom and the kitchen. For a few minutes I thought I'd have to visit an onsen (a natural hot spring traditionally enjoyed like a normal bath but often communal). Without my swimming costume (it had gone back with Amy to reduce my baggage) it might've been the only option 😄.

Luckily not an option I had to take so we'll be sweet smelling by morning when we go off to explore Tokyo and the surrounding area.

8 March Staying Local in Osaka

After our mountain climb yesterday it was a day staying closer to base in Osaka today.

Peter and I headed out for a bit of shopping. First stop a second hand book shop for Peter to buy some Japanese books and then on to a stationary shop.

There was a bit of a drumming celebration outside one of the shops celebrating it's 300th anniversary!!

We have China Town in London. They have American Village in Osaka!

In American Village they have lamp posts painted like stickmen.

Loads of them and all very colourful.

Another manhole cover spotted.

This is a turning spot for cars. As there's not much space to get in and out of garages they drive onto this rotating circle so that they can then do 90° and drive straight into the lift for parking.

After lunch we took a few tube stops south to Osaka Zoo. Just 500 yen, approx £2.50 entry! Not sure if I've seen a hippo, especially one in such clear water.

Loads of crane nesting above the polar bear. Quite a sight when they were swooping low.

Tonight's dinner was shabu-shabu style. Very thinly sliced meat is swished in a boiling broth before being dunked in raw egg! Other raw ingredients like mushrooms, bean sprouts, cabbage and bamboo shoots are added to the broth. All cooked on your table - you add the ingredients as you want and you can order more as you go.

All finished with ice cream and coffee. A different sort of meal. Not sure I'll be rushing to repeat it though, but all part of the Japan experience 😄.

Tomorrow we'll be making our way across country to Tokyo after a morning in Kyoto doing a bit of arts and crafts!