Each evening for the final seven days of our adventure, we will be updating this site - well, internet connections permitting. Thats right, fall into arrears at your own peril. Whilst the 'working' population takes four days off work, the show goes on for us. There are no days off for your dedicated allseven team.

Clutching a seven day Japan Rail Pass, we headed for Hakata station this morning, armed with chicken sandwiches and orange juice, and made for Kyoto. The Shinkansen trains make the 1320km round trip possible in one day. A little over three hours in each direction, the wonderful Bullet trains were a pleasure to travel upon. Check this out - the ticket inspectors bow when leaving each carriage. They never actually check your ticket. To question your honesty would be dishonouring. The trolly dolly's, complete with old style airline hats bow too. Imagine that on Thameslink.

Sue had a pilgrimage to make today. The book, 'Memoirs of a Geisha', meant a bee-line for Gion, in Kyoto, compulsory. The eagle eyed little minx spotted a trio of young Geisha's within moments of arriving into the traditional area of the city. A couple of resulting photos can be viewed on our Kyoto album.

To while away the hours in transit over the months, we have competed fiercely in the hottest of card games, s***head. Sue has a bit of a knack for the game and has kicked Phill's sorry behind from Panama to China. However, two places were up for grabs in the s***head World Playoff Finals. Phill's second place means we have gone head to head. The seven day play offs commenced today with Phill narrowly winning the best of seven game day tournament. Somewhere between Kobe and Hiroshina, Phill stood and bowed to a conservative passenger audience. The long haired loony is up 1-0 going into day two.

So, back in Fukuoka, we are packing again and heading for Tokyo tomorrow. But the journey doesn't end there. We have 6 days left - and its gonna be full on.

PaSx