Arrived in Hong Kong. Both Japanese and Australian mobiles seen to be working. Staying across the road from Happy Valley.
Summer holidays
Why did I get up at 5.30am to be at Narita at 7.30? Because I’m going to Hong Kong for a few days. I’m expecting it to be just as hot as Tokyo, but this week is my week off work, so better make the most of it. Not sure if i’ll blog while I’m… Continue reading Summer holidays
Takamadoyama
I used to come up here to the summit of Takamadoyama as a high school student. I remembered how to find the track, and headed uphill. It’s quite hot in the summer humidity, but the view over Nara is worth it.
Daibutsu
17 years on, and the old fella (Nara’s big buddha) is still in there drawing the crowds. Today, there seem to be many European tourists. I’ve never seen so many foreigners here before. About time I headed away from the crowds towards the lesser visited parts of Nara Park on the walk home.
Okonomiyaki
Made by Denosan, who grew up in Osaka, so it’s the best. The katsuo shavings on the top are shimmering around in the heat.
Pet beetle
Hiroto has a big pet beetle. He feeds it apple skins. It’s common for Japanese kids (especially boys) to catch and look after beetles in summer.
A stereotypical gaijin shinkansen moment
Taking this photo made me look like the typical foreigner… But I did it because a blog about living in Japan probably needs at least one Shinkansen photo.
Getting away on Friday night
Currently on Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Kyoto, where I’ll connect to Nara. It’s taken 6 weeks in Japan before getting to see the Takemotos, my old high school exchange host family.
Tokyo beer garden
An hour later and the bunnies are back. Now I know what’s wrong with beer gardens in Australia.
Bunny Show
How good is summer in Tokyo? But they sound like the Chipmunks…