Japan

We have been in Japan for a little over a week. We started out in Tokyo where a friend of ours who lives there was amazing to let us stay with him for a few days and was our tour guide for the city. Thankfully he also helped us figure out the complex subway/train system. Our days were packed from morning til night with exploring the city. We saw the area of town where the young people hang out and dress up in outrageous outfits and the famous intersection in Shibuya where all traffic stops to let the massive amount of people to cross in every direction. We visited tons of shops that sell everything from funky clothes to Manga and Anime toys (where I bought two cool Japanese action figures.) Our friend also took us to some great restaurants, including one where everything was cooked with garlic. The food there was amazing. One night we went up in the Tokyo tower to see the sun set over the huge expansive city. The Tokyo tower was built to mimic the Eiffel Tower, but is painted a bright red color and is several meters taller. We also enjoyed touring an outdoor museum where traditional homes were taken from various parts of Japan and rebuilt on the site. We did a lot more in Tokyo but we only have five minutes left on this computer so we will move on to Kyoto, where we are now.

One of the coolest things about coming to Kyoto is getting to ride here on the Nozomi Bullet train which reaches speeds up to three hundred miles per hour. Seeing the countryside along the way was quite a sight. Kyoto is a big modern city but has countless ancient temples and gardens throughout, which we have visited a few of in our short time here.

Our time is up so we must log off now. We will try to write again soon with more on Japan, and post some photos.

-Dave and Lynette