Beppu was like the Blackpool of Japan with a tower and whatnot. I didn't stay there long. Status • Tried new cocktails inc. china dress and gin buck the latter was tasty, the former stronnnnng... • Met a Russian, Hungarian and American in a bar and plate Jenga... • It's snowing again... • Think I left my camera charger at home with a spare battery in it, oops... Food: No food, just cocktails. Yesterday I had what looked like sticky chicken and sesame se...

You know that feeling when every one else on the train gets up except you because you think you're going further but this is where the train terminates? Yes/no, it doesn't really matter, I guess you can imagine... Well it happened twice to me today, the first time it was because the train did terminate (I was improvising train paths). But this second time, everybody got up, there was the moment of 'dammit Hockin, not again!' But then all the locals kicked a lever...

Happy New Year! The new year celebrations on a small island at the below Hiroshima called Miagima revolve around protecting against fire in the new year. After hiking up to the top of the island being careful of snakes, hornets and deer, I met some people who told me about the festivities in the evening and we hung around to watch flaming mayhem unfold as local groups and societies ran around with burning logs on the shoulders and everyone else lighting torches f...

Got up and left about 11. Got the bullet train (how evil does it Iook?!) and headed west to Hiroshima! I booked three nights here at big K's place to cover the new year and will move on after that. (Not related to Kadirs). Very excited to go hike up a famous hill-come-island tomorrow. Not sure how I will be celebrating nye but if in doubt I'll find some sake. Meanwhile my dorm-mates are friendly. 2 Canadians who have been to Taiwan and Seoul and a couple who met ...

On my 2nd flight I experienced the sunrise and sunset from the plane which was quite mystical! I also had a second lesson (the first being from cousin James the family's new expert in the tongue) in Japanese learning a few phrases. My first night in a 'proper bed' namely a traditional thing which was more comfortable than a warm bath after a snowball fight. Ben James hosted me through couchsurfing.com and we looked after each other as we suffered from jet lag an...