Hey Everyone

Well we just got back from 2 weeks in Japan and had a fabulous time checking out this amazing country. We arrived on Sunday 12th April in Tokyo after a very long 12 hour flight and then a very delayed 2 our 'express' train into the city from the airport due to an accident on the tracks! Heading straight to Shinjuku (the red light district for our hotel in Kabukikho). Greeted with neon lights, funky dressed souls and lots going on was the ticket to our fatigue. That night met up with Theresa my friend from high school and went to a very cool Izekaya (Like a jpanese pub but with better food - sushi, tempura and lots of Japanese beer!). Was awesome catching up with so much to talk about after over 8 years since seeing each other. Poor Shane having to listen to us indulge in the past and screech like we used to.

Following day we headed off with slightly sore heads to Shinjuku Gyoen one of Tokyo's lovely parks to check out what was left of the cherry blossom. It was so beautiful! Checked out Hanozen Shrine and took to the skys in the Metropolian Government Building up to the 45th floor for a great view (on a good day you can apparently see Mt Fuji). Checked out Shibuya (teen district) filled with girls in the highest heels and craziest clothes. Later that evening caught up with Tree and Hiro for 3 hours of Karaoke and more beer.....Shane sounded just like Bryan Adams when he sang Heaven to us!

Tuesday we left the lights of Tokyo and headed to the cultural city of Kyoto where for 3 days we indulged in temples and shrines and markets. In Ponto Cho Dori we were rejected out of two restaurants as they will not accept foreigners due to keeping Japanese traditions. We felt a bit put out but finally sorted ourselves out and found some great places that were more than welcoming.

We also did a day trip to Nara which used to be the capital of Japan many years ago. It was amazing to stroll around and some awesome temples and park surroundings. Visited Kofukuji Temple that has a 5 story Pagoda and Todaiji Temple which is the largest wooden structure in the world. It was breathtaking. Inside a massive and very impressive gold budda sitting on gold lotus leaves with the smell of incense floathing around. That day had breaded pork and rice with curry which is a speciality of the region.

On Saturday 18th we headed south to Miyajima Island. The island was sunny and lively and Itsukushima Shrine looked amazing sitting orange and white in the water on the beach. Took lots of photos of O-torii gate which is one of the most photographed sited in Japan. That night stayed in a traditional Ryokan with a traditional japanese feast of sashimi, grilled fish, fried whole fish and rice. Yummy! At night the temple and its surrounds are covered with lanterns which gave a magical feel to it all. Had a great sleep on the traditional futons on the floor - it was very dark in the woods on the island. Following day we headed up to the viewing point on Mt Misen that has views over the Island and right across to Hiroshima on the coast. After a good 3 hours of walking we were ready to hit Hiroshima and get some local seafood - which is exactly what we did. Shane was in heaven with the £3 scallops in some sort of garlic sauce!

Following day we visited Peace Park - A Domb which is the remains of a building that was right under the Atomic Bomb. Walked over Aioi Bridge which lasted the bomb but has been rebuilt, tolled the bell for world peace and visted the Memorial Hall and museum which was a startling reminder of the horror and suffering that occured in the name of war. Also visted the castle and then jumped back on the bullet train and headed back to Kyoto.

Following another day in Kyoto where we were luckily upgraded to a delux suite at our hotel so didnt really do much siteseeing we headed for Hakone. Stayed in another Ryokan (130 years old) with hot springs on site. Took the boat across Lake Ashi with views to Mt Fuji, took the cable car up a mountain with more views of Mt Fuji. Had to transfer buses to our Ryokan and waited in the cold for about 20 minutes, We were sure our Ryokan wasnt far away but waited as were too tired to try and walk in case it was a few km away. The bus finally comes and we jump on, dirve about 100 meters around the corner and down the road and stop at our Ryokan.....hilariously annoying!

Back to Tokyo. This time we stayed in the business district of Ginza. The highlight of being back in Tokyo was visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market. Had to get up just after 6am and arrived to chaos of market trollys, small trucks and the smell of fish. Within the market area are lots of little sushi bars and planned to get breakfast of the freshest sushi you could imagine. Hopped into a busy little liine and waited for over an hour until our turn at the counter. Met a really cool guy in the queue who was Japanese but lived most of his life in USA. He told us his friend had recommended this place called Sushi Dai as the best place to go for sushi - and we were not dissapointed. Amazing melt in your mouth raw fish!

Later visited the old town of Harajuku and the Meiji Shrine and had our last meal that evening. Our trip to Japan was finally over and the following morning flew out and back to London.

Japan was an amazing country and we had a great time away. Loved all the raw fish, raman soups, Okonomyake (omelette type dish), tempura and grilled meats! Fabulous 2 weeks away.

Lots of love

S&S x