Well I was wrong about the Namba-Walk, that closed at midnight too, so I had to walk the streets of Osaka at 1am without knowing where I was going. It was kind of scary (especially after hearing so many ambulance sirens on previous nights) but the only people I met were those who offered me help, which just goes to show how safe Japan really is. When I finally found the hotel I watched Sex and the City in Japanese, which was actually more scary.

Anyway, onto the final day. I got up earlier and asked reception for information on Himeji Castle... they told me it's closed for renovation. But I am so GLAD it is, because instead I met some great people and played Takkyu (table tennis)! The helpful lady at reception was on the phone for at least ten minutes trying to find me somewhere to play, she pointed me in the direction of a club in Namba about a twenty minute walk away. With a little help from the locals I found the table tennis shop down a side street, both the shop and club are owned by a man named Hamada. A lady showed me to a building across the street, up to the fourth floor we went and then into a room with four tables and half a dozen old ladies eating lunch. The club only runs during the day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so I was pretty lucky! And there's a coach who looked insanely good, I'm not sure if any kids go there. As with many places in Japan, I had to take my shoes off before stepping on the floor, but they didn't have any spare shoes that fit me so I had to play barefoot! Anyway these old ladies could hit the ball really hard, they made me stay on the table until I had played almosｔ every person. The only person who spoke any English was Hamada-sama. I stayed right until closing; playing, taking photos and trying my best to chat to Hamada-sama's wife. After hours of playing my barefeet were rather sore but it was totally worth it!

I headed back across the street to the shop, I don't think you get shops like this in England; it had shelves full of rubbers, blades, clothes and all other accessories. Saying that the prices weren't much different to England. I bought a couple of sheets of rubber and the lady at the counter prompted me to spin the lucky wheel, I spun it; they laughed and gave me a free training ball.

After that I walked back to Nipponbashi in the pouring rain, at least I thought I was; somehow I managed to walk in a complete circle and ended up back at the table tennis shop. Eventually I got bored (and soaked) and took the subway back instead.

So, that's it, the trip is nearly over. My memory card is full, my batteries are dead and I've spent plenty of money (it is really expensive here). I'll miss the awesome internet cafes, delicious bakeries, steaming soba, hilarious tv, hot sake and refreshing green tea. I won't miss the sushi. Despite common belief that time flies when you're having fun this trip has seemed pretty long, I'm sad to leave but grateful for all the lucky weather and situations I've have. I didn't walk through a bamboo forest, I didn't bathe in an onsen, I didn't see sumo wrestling live, I didn't stay in a capsule hotel and I certiainly didn't climb Mount Fuji. But I have ticked off almost half of the 28 highlights in my lonely planet guide, met some amazing people and had an incredible, mind blowing experience. I have had the time of my life and will definitely come back to Japan.

All I have left to do is eat dinner (I'm thinking noodles) and try and cram all the things I've bought into my rucksack.

Domo arigato for reading and sayonara!

Lee-san