Jilly are having the most absolutely amazing time in Japan, and it is certainly the most bizarre and contradictory country that I have visited on my entire trip. Here's a quick snapshot why: From gluttonous highrise shopping malls to beautiful temples and fairytale castles; giggling Harajuku girls to elegant Geishas; high-tech capsule hotels to the most basic ryokan accommodation; mask wearing commuters to busy busy busy smoking rooms (even on the subway!); ten storey Big Echo karaoke bars to the timid bell ringing (or not at all in many cases) of the numerous bike riders that litter the pavements; the calm of the traditional tea shops to the frantic craziness of the Tokyo fish market; the gigantic size of Buddhist statues to the typically petite build of the average Japanese person ( I am indeed a clothing size medium to large in Japan!); the innocent look of sailor suited school children to the manga covered walls of the internet cafes which encourage customers to upgrade to a private booth with reclining chair!; the very high price of shopping to the free packs of tissues given away in the streets (or are they for the internet cafe I wonder!!!); the high speed bullet trains to the painful slowness of Japanese eating and smoking habits; Hello Kitty mobile phone charms to lucky Buddhist rabbits. Jilly and I have visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Mirajima and Himeji. But my favourite place was Hiroshima. I was happily shocked by the city's vibrancy. I'm not sure if this is in response to its haunting history, but it was the most welcoming and fun place that I visited in Japan. I hope to return to Japan, as in 12 days it is difficult to see as much as we did. I certainly want to see more. Next time I write I'll be in sunny old blighty - and looking forward to catching up with everyone. See you all soon Lindsx