July 2019
Japan is an incredible country. This little island is the world’s 3rd largest economy, behind China and ahead of Germany. The majority of the country is mountainous, so a lot of people are packed into dense cities. Japan also has a very unique and interesting history, having spent many years isolated from the rest of the world.
Every journey begins with a step. This is my first step outside my house in Stuttgart, Germany and on my way to Tokyo, Japan.
Instantly greeted by Mario and Luigi at the airport.
Stopped at a park on the way to my hotel.
You wash your hands and rinse your mouth before going into a temple. Japan is a very clean country across the board.
Tokyo National Gallery.
You walk through this three times in a loop for a happy marriage. I learned that after.
Wild and fun streets in Tokyo.
Great train system. A few times it was crazy packed, but usually you can get a seat.
First sushi in Japan. Often it was more plain and simple. Always delicious.
Had too good a time at the Pokémon Center.
Saw this same display in Milan a few weeks ago.
Make your own lego person.
Outside the Imperial Palace.
The Olympics are coming to Tokyo.
Don’t be a pig trying to get on the train.
Went to the Samurai museum. The larger your shoulder plates the wealthier you were. This guy was loaded.
This famous Samurai armor is thought to be the inspiration for Darth Vader. George Lucas is a big fan of Japanese history.
This show was the most wild and over the top thing I have ever seen.
Nice walk through the park.
Saki barrels.
These little school kids in their little hats was one of the cutest things I have ever seem.
It was so nice to be invited into Matt and Asuka’s (fellow teachers at ISS) parents house. They prepared a great meal and it was nice to stay in a real Japanese house.
From Tokyo I went to Lake Kawaguchi to hike Mt. Fugi.
Stopped by a toy museum.
They had some wild wallpaper.
Old Diamond ads.
Beautiful gardens in one of the parks.
This artist specializes in making lifelike dolls.
Enjoying the view from hotel window.
Went into a bat cave. Didn’t see any bats, but did use umbrella inside a cave for the first time.
This is the start of the Mt. Fuji hike.
You are hiking up a volcano, so it is not the most beautiful hike, but it is a good thing to do. It only took me 3:45 hrs to get up and 1:45 hrs to get down the next day. They say you are stupid not to hike Mt. Fuji once, and that you are stupid to hike it twice.
You can buy a wood stick and collect brands from the huts as you go up.
Decided to sleep at the top. It is popular to do so that you can see the sunrise.
Well worth it.
It was cool how all the clouds moved around Mt. Fugi. The hike is a series of switchbacks.
I look a normal train back to Tokyo and then a bullet train to Kyoto. They cover a lot of ground quickly.
Kyoto was the capital of Japan before Tokyo. It is a much smaller and more traditional city.
It’s fun to play with clay.
Very strange art.
I was disappointed to not see any of these dangerous monkeys.
You see the gods of thunder and wind a lot.
I wish I had half the style of this little girl.
This is the old Imperial Palace. Simple and elegant with beautiful grounds.
Kyoto has a Pokémon center as well.
There are some rivers running through the city with nice paths and restaurants.
The last thing I did in Kyoto was go to a Matcha tea ceremony. Normally there are 10 people there at a time, but I happened to be the only one so I got to taste the tea masters tea. She has being doing it for over 70 years. It was definitely better than mine.
You see a lot of women walking around Kyoto in Kimonos. I was leaving when I realized I had never gotten a picture with one. This American tourist was nice enough to let me a take a picture with her in her rental Kimono.
My final stop in Japan was Osaka. This is another big city and well known for its food. I stayed in Dotonbori which is known for good restaurants and nightlife.
This was my hotel. Not sure what the faces are about but they make it easy to find.
Made some new friends and had a fun night.
Osaka Castle is pretty impressive, surrounded by a moat and high walls.
Okonomiyaki is so delicious. It is cabbage in batter with noodles and some flakes on top with sauce. They cook it in front of you and it is amazing.
I absolutely love Japan and hope to move here in a few years.
Now off to Thailand.