A couple of rolls I shot on the last couple of days, mainly in the parks which were a bizarre mixture of early Cherry blossom and congregations of the infamous Japanese gothic teenagers. 

 

The cherry blossom is a national obsession and most of these early showings were deluged by Japanese photography geeks with tripods and the latest cameras.  Naturally, I felt right at home

 

click on link on the left or here..

 

hi - I now have an aussi sim - if you would like to call me email me for the number - usual address.  I lost the UK sim so that old number no longer works

Japan - strange, mystical, expensive, cold, modern, tradditional.  Loved this place, and there is no where on earth like it.  Here are some highlights from two weeks here...

 

Upon seeing my glimpse of a Nozomi Shinkansen whisk through a station at lighting speed i soon found myself exhibiting early signs of trainspotting nerdishness.  The efficiency and engineering of the bullet network is fantastic and riding the trains at 300+ kph a wonderful way to travel between the big cities. 

 

I thought I`d loose weight here. No chance.  Shabu shabu beef, Fugu puffer fish, Tempura, Bear (felt a bit guilty about eating this), Sashimi straight from Tokyo fish market, mountains of Sushi, Smoked goose, barbequed Wild boar, honey bees, crickets, noodles of every kind, okoniyaki savoury pancakes...all washed down with Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Sake.  Sublime.

 

Sometimes the Japanese are so courteous it borders on the comic.  Upon leaving the warm confines of a Kyoto whisky bar I was amused to see the barman still bowing at the door everytime I looked over my shoulder at him, even when I was half way down the street. 

 

Gothic teenagers in tokyo dressed up in medical bondage gear, the Sumo`s, some of the food, Japanese teddy boys, mobile phone obessive behaviour, Pinchinko parlours everywhere rammed with players, Japanese kinkiness, white faced Geisha, Onsen mud baths, teenage fasion choices, kitchness..

 

Always of interest to the world traveller I find.  Japanese toilets - best in the world,  no contest.  Heated seats with climate controls, push button integral bidets, usually spotless. A newspaper and a Japanese toilet - great way to spend thirty minutes.  In about one thousand years Indian toilets may have evolved to be the same standard. 

 

Get bollock naked.  Enter communal bath with Japanese blokes with water at about a thousand degrees.  Remain there until well poached.  Depart bath.  Head for mixed bath and bathe in mud for a further thirty minutes until lightly roasted.  Take in bizarre sight of Japanese people walking around with tiny towels just about hiding their modesty.

 

Tokyo - modern, neon, crammed with people, confusing, great shopping.  Kyoto - peaceful, beautiful and wonderful temples.

 

Five story Yodabashi camera shops - packed with gear - like paradise.  The Sony building with the latest flat screens, HD cam corders, face recognition cameras .  Mobiles with TV everywhere.  Vending machines selling everything. the trains, the toilets. Tokyo. Geek heaven.