Last 24 Hours / ReviewIt was supposed to be great, reaching the top of Fujisan, but I just felt too exhausted. Depressed about losing contact with my climbing colleagues, I suddenly felt alone and unable to muster a single conversation with anyone. It was symbolic of my trip to Japan, with many highs and lows, quite literally. At times, I got very got and bothered and acted like a little Englander to get my way. I missed buses, trains, got on the wrong ones, ...

Days Seven/Eight - Fujisan NOTE: TO SEE PREVIOUS BLOGS FROM JAPAN SEARCH THE SITE.Fujisan was a 24 hour hike split over 2 days. 'San', just as in Korean, simply means 'mountain'. The highest point in Japan is the weather radar station at the summit (3766m). It is attempted by around 200,000 people every year, 10 times that of Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. Here are some more differences: You don't need porters or a guide to help you climb Fujisan as the routes are...

Day Five: Kyoto Whereas Osaka felt more like a city, penned in with no escape, Kyoto was much better. Known for a 1997 International Agreement to cut carbon emissions - well in my mind anyway. I was disorientated again and couldn`t find my capsule locker keys.Leaving one of the more quintessential Japanese experiences behind - ie staying in a capsule hotel - I moved not far along to the next big city of Kyoto.I had heard to expect great things, and I was not...

Day Four: Shirahama to Osaka Tonight maybe we're gonna run Dreaming of the Osaka sun Ohh ohh... Dreaming of when the morning comes (C Martin, Lovers In Japan) I am seriously not getting enough sleep. But the buzz of getting out of Colditz - sorry, Meiko Hotel - the brilliant sunshine pouring through my window at 6am and the lure of another onsen i had still to try on Shirarahama beach got me running down the hill and back to the waves. The grown-up son of ...

DAY THREE: OKAYAMA TO SHIRAHAMA WHAT AN ENJOYABLE DAY. I WOKE EXACTLY AT 9AM AND REALISED I HAD MISSED BREAKFAST AT THE OKAYAMA RYOKAN. NO CHANCE FOR A 600 YEN REFUND AS THE LOBBY WAS GETTING A THOROUGH CLEANING AND THE RECEPTIONIST HAD CHANGED INTO A DIFFERENT PERSON.OUT INTO THE SCORCHING SUN AND IMMEDIATELY A SWEAT POURING DOWN MY FACE JUST MAKING THE SHORT TRIP TO THE STATION.I GRABBED SOME BAKED PRODUCTS AND HEADED OFF IN THE NEXT SHINKANSEN OUT OF TOWN. (...