OK folks... Here's what you've been waiting for: Heidi's take on Japan. ------------ I love Japan! It’s clean and safe, the trains and subways run like clockwork, the people are friendly and the food is delicious! We’ve been here for almost 2 weeks and have seen 2 homeless people. The trains and subways are wonderful. [...]
Things got a bit wobbly in Kyoto last night. Magnitude 4.2 earthquake at 10:30, resulted in some mild shaking in our hotel room at 10:30. More here. We got back to Tokyo in time to watch the sun set on Tokyo from the Sky View observation deck. I know, I know... a sunset does not [...]
Our last day in Kyoto and we split up again. Heidi and I spent half the day at Fushimi-Inara Taisha, where thousands of orange/red torii (gates) line the paths up the mountain. It was crazy busy at the base, but like most tourist spots became more peaceful and pleasant the farther up the hill you [...]
Yesterday was Xmas and we bulleted to Hiroshima for the day. Did you know that 2014 is the 50th anniversary of Shinkansen service in Japan. Fiftieth! Puts all other rapid transit systems, or (for Toronto) dreams thereof, to shame Our time in Hiroshima was largely taken up visiting the memorials, there are many, for those [...]
We took a day trip from Kyōto to Nara on Christmas Eve. The main attraction was the very impressive gallery of national treasures with a 1000 armed deity (must have been poetic license as it looked to be no more than 50). Oh and a gigantic (15m high) Buddha statue from the 8th Century, housed [...]
