Hiking all the hills around Nagasaki to enjoy the endless amazing views
Everyone who has read up to this point knew that today I would wander around the hills of Nagasaki, just as I promised. I keep my promises.
My course started at the Dutch slope, nothing Dutch there.
There was then a strange old person stair assist chair contraption that went about 100 metres up to the top of a hill.
I used the stairs even though I am now very old. At the top I found the best cat of the trip so far, with the best view of any cat in the world. More about him later.
You then have a choice, theres a pay garden to see, something Glover garden? Or you can skip up the hill for free. Skip I did, to the Mount Nabekanmuri Park lookout, which was probably the best view of the day. There was no one up there but me, I ran around and around the circular lookout thing until I got suitably dizzy.
From there I could see all the mountains (hills) and could plot a rough route and a goal to get around to before descending. The top of the hills is quite developed, despite that I somehow found myself battling giant spiders on remote paths before ending up on the far side of the hills in a very rural area. I had no idea how to get back to the other side other than to press on! This required scaling a few small fences even though the tracks were marked on google maps. The fences had spikes sticking up despite being very low, so it was a delicate operation, I have managed to come out unscathed. Piercing my scrotum was a real possibility. Some people pay to have that done.
Throughout the day I was kept company by 12 gauge shot gun blasts, presumably farmers angry I had climbed their little fence. Later in the day I convinced myself they were probably bird scarers, but I swear a couple of times I heard the blast and then what sounded like projectiles flying through the air and hitting something.
Eventually I found a road back to the other side, but there was still a chance for a rewarding detour up a steep ANCIENT hill to an old shrine with no view. Too much view today, too many view photos, I like the view. Tomorrow....more view.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Here, by special request, is the DUTCH SLOPE. I read a sign, apparently the Japanese called every white person Dutch and this is where they lived. I g](a-727.jpg)
Here, by special request, is the DUTCH SLOPE. I read a sign, apparently the Japanese called every white person Dutch and this is where they lived. I guess there are a few western style houses, and there are certainly catholic churches, but it was really just a hill to walk up and keep going.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Now it was time to walk up the stairs along side the old person assisted hydraulic chair system that goes up a really long way. As you can see there a](a-729.jpg)
Now it was time to walk up the stairs along side the old person assisted hydraulic chair system that goes up a really long way. As you can see there are a couple of semi circular lookout spots on the way up, you can bet as I ascended the stairs I appreciated the view from each of them.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Cat of the day is cat of the trip so far! He has found the best spot to sleep. He briefly opened one eye to tell me to get lost, but otherwise was not](a-730.jpg)
Cat of the day is cat of the trip so far! He has found the best spot to sleep. He briefly opened one eye to tell me to get lost, but otherwise was not moving.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - It was now time for me to ascend through some little farms up a staircase, another cruise ship has docked already.](a-731.jpg)
It was now time for me to ascend through some little farms up a staircase, another cruise ship has docked already.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The lookout at Nabekanmuri park is highly developed, theres a public toilet, coke machines and a small car park. This one is closer to my hotel so it](a-732.jpg)
The lookout at Nabekanmuri park is highly developed, theres a public toilet, coke machines and a small car park. This one is closer to my hotel so it might be my 'night view' lookout on of the nights I am here, the other one is a much longer walk up a dark road where I will probably get run over.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The view from up here is no less spectacular than yesterdays awesome view, so I took a lot of shots of the view.](a-733.jpg)
The view from up here is no less spectacular than yesterdays awesome view, so I took a lot of shots of the view.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - You can see yesterdays view spot across the water about a quarter of the way from the left edge, the towers on the top.](a-734.jpg)
You can see yesterdays view spot across the water about a quarter of the way from the left edge, the towers on the top.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I found what happens to all the coke cans from the wall of vending machines located around the base of the lookout.](a-736.jpg)
I found what happens to all the coke cans from the wall of vending machines located around the base of the lookout.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - In attempting to get to the next lookout I went up through a cemetery. This one allowed you out the back way so I did not have to double back like pre](a-737.jpg)
In attempting to get to the next lookout I went up through a cemetery. This one allowed you out the back way so I did not have to double back like previous cemeteries.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The second peak lookout spot however was no go. This is shot through a huge barbed wire and razor wire fence. It all looks abandoned but you cannot ge](a-738.jpg)
The second peak lookout spot however was no go. This is shot through a huge barbed wire and razor wire fence. It all looks abandoned but you cannot get in to look at the view. Oh well, time to keep going around to the next peak!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - In getting to this lookout I went along a series of forest paths behind the main ridge, it was very quiet, but there were huge spiders everywhere thre](a-739.jpg)
In getting to this lookout I went along a series of forest paths behind the main ridge, it was very quiet, but there were huge spiders everywhere threatening to eat me whole. I had to carry a big stick in front of me most of the way so I did not take any photos of the path. The lookout itself was not the best, it needed to be higher, and more importantly, it needed to be at the other end of the park.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Here is the view of the park, as you can see, the sea on the other side of the ISTHUMUS that has Nagasaki on it is just visible. If they had of built](a-740.jpg)
Here is the view of the park, as you can see, the sea on the other side of the ISTHUMUS that has Nagasaki on it is just visible. If they had of built a lookout at the far end of the park the view would have been spectacular. There also was not a breath of wind, despite this a guy tried to fly a kite, quite an old guy, it was amusing to watch for a few minutes.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - After lookout 2 I got really lost, and ended up wandering through farmers fields and climbing fences. I was following what was marked on my phone as a](a-741.jpg)
After lookout 2 I got really lost, and ended up wandering through farmers fields and climbing fences. I was following what was marked on my phone as a path. This allowed me to get a good view of the sea, this tiny seaside town and the mountains on the other side of the harbour. So it was worth it.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - There were still however lots of farms to cross. Here is an orange grove. People picking various fruits seemed very confused to see me. No one offered](a-742.jpg)
There were still however lots of farms to cross. Here is an orange grove. People picking various fruits seemed very confused to see me. No one offered me an orange. My camera has made the blue sky a strange blue here...it seems to do that.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I was actually quite relieved to get back to a road! A few things marked as roads were not roads at all. That is the entrance to the tunnel under the](a-743.jpg)
I was actually quite relieved to get back to a road! A few things marked as roads were not roads at all. That is the entrance to the tunnel under the hills that goes right into central Nagasaki, I couldnt go that way, I would have to cross back over the mountains! Even if I could go that way I would still go back over the mountains.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - After following a highly developed area of the mountains I found this peak sticking up. Challenge accepted.](a-744.jpg)
After following a highly developed area of the mountains I found this peak sticking up. Challenge accepted.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - There are no roads in this area, just steps and paths that look like they are peoples driveways. Oh well, I will just keep going until I cant.](a-745.jpg)
There are no roads in this area, just steps and paths that look like they are peoples driveways. Oh well, I will just keep going until I cant.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I was very happy to find this sign, which tells me the way to go to the top of the little mountain. Despite this sign I still got lost 3 times going u](a-747.jpg)
I was very happy to find this sign, which tells me the way to go to the top of the little mountain. Despite this sign I still got lost 3 times going up from this point. Being a postman here is a challenging job.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I approached the shrine from the back, where the shrine makers had discarded the excess boulders. They are fun to roll down the hills.](a-749.jpg)
I approached the shrine from the back, where the shrine makers had discarded the excess boulders. They are fun to roll down the hills.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The path down the front of the little mountain back towards Nagasaki was also stone steps and easy to follow. As there was no view from the top (annoy](a-751.jpg)
The path down the front of the little mountain back towards Nagasaki was also stone steps and easy to follow. As there was no view from the top (annoying) I took this photo of the view as soon as it appeared. It looks just like all the other view shots!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - My journey back through the streets of Nagasaki took me past many shrines. I could not resist the long staircase up to this one. Because it is built o](a-752.jpg)
My journey back through the streets of Nagasaki took me past many shrines. I could not resist the long staircase up to this one. Because it is built on the edge of a cliff its impossible to get a clear shot. That didnt stop me from almost plummeting to my death trying. Lots of people really do plummet to their death taking photos lately.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Literally next door is the red version of the shrine. The competing brown (made from stone) versus red (made from timber) shrine. Who will win? You de](a-753.jpg)
Literally next door is the red version of the shrine. The competing brown (made from stone) versus red (made from timber) shrine. Who will win? You decide!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - After a visit to the 100 yen bakery where it took some time to explain I did not need everything individually wrapped and bagged because I will eat it](a-754.jpg)
After a visit to the 100 yen bakery where it took some time to explain I did not need everything individually wrapped and bagged because I will eat it right now, I arrived back at my hotel. Right out the front, Japanese children were putting on a display welcoming the Chinese cruise ship tourists coming to Japanese Chinatown to buy instant noodles.
Another great day of hill wandering completed!
The rather dull suburb of Urakami is a place to eat pasta
How did it get so late? This probably wont make any sense because I am even sleepier than I normally am but anyway....dot dot dot
Tonight I went to Urakami. It is north of the main Nagasaki station. It is roughly where the bomb museum is, so I had already been to parts of it during the day.
According to my map provided by google, it has lots of shops and restaurants. I think they just make shit up because there was nothing there.
Instead theres now a huge mall with a ferris wheel, mandatory requirement for every city in Japan. Other than that the streets are really very quiet and I could not find anywhere to eat.
The best bet turned out to be a strange shopping centre that pre dates the atomic age that the equally ANTIQUITEOUS tram trundles under.
All this lead to there not being much to photograph, so I messed around with long exposures and stuffed up a few settings and ruined a few photos, so there are not many tonight. Nagasaki is a one city centre town I think, and I am right in it. The other parts are just one big mall each and a lot of darkness.
Also, no cat tonight, but I got my cat pic this morning, I dont want to over cat.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Tonight I followed a tram line, so I took photos of trams. Here is a tram from above. It now occurs to me that I have not ridden on a tram and probabl](a-755.jpg)
Tonight I followed a tram line, so I took photos of trams. Here is a tram from above. It now occurs to me that I have not ridden on a tram and probably wont, because I enjoy walking too much. Trams are only for when its raining.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Here we have the Cocowalk mall. It is very large. I think it has replaced everything else that used to be in Urakami.](a-756.jpg)
Here we have the Cocowalk mall. It is very large. I think it has replaced everything else that used to be in Urakami.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - It has a ferris wheel. I have been on many ferris wheels but did not feel a need to go on this one. I must be getting really old, they are now more ex](a-757.jpg)
It has a ferris wheel. I have been on many ferris wheels but did not feel a need to go on this one. I must be getting really old, they are now more excitement than I can handle.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I retreated back to the highway and found this place with a tram running under it. I also wanted to run under it, but I would be run over by a tram if](a-759.jpg)
I retreated back to the highway and found this place with a tram running under it. I also wanted to run under it, but I would be run over by a tram if I tried.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - This is the inside of the shopping centre. It looks like you are outside. Its an indoor outdoor brick paved semi abandoned shopping and English teachi](a-760.jpg)
This is the inside of the shopping centre. It looks like you are outside. Its an indoor outdoor brick paved semi abandoned shopping and English teaching centre.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Despite the lack of options, the one option I did find was pretty good. Tonight only, your choice of pasta with any salad free! TONIGHT ONLY? How coul](a-761.jpg)
Despite the lack of options, the one option I did find was pretty good. Tonight only, your choice of pasta with any salad free! TONIGHT ONLY? How could I possibly pass up such a bargain that would never ever be repeated. It was very nice! They provided a couple of different chilli sauces to drink from.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - My journey home took me past the peace park, and also the pink peace park motel and pachinko parlour. I bought a few balls and won a voucher for a fre](a-762.jpg)
My journey home took me past the peace park, and also the pink peace park motel and pachinko parlour. I bought a few balls and won a voucher for a free salad at the pasta shop.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Its the Huis Ten Bosch express, for $40 (each way) it will take you to a theme park based on Holland with windmills and tulips that costs only $100 to](a-763.jpg)
Its the Huis Ten Bosch express, for $40 (each way) it will take you to a theme park based on Holland with windmills and tulips that costs only $100 to enter! Seriously it costs more than Disneyland!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I remembered the nearby bridge had a good view in the morning, how is it at night? Hmm, not as good. But it did help me get over my 40,000 step daily](a-764.jpg)
I remembered the nearby bridge had a good view in the morning, how is it at night? Hmm, not as good. But it did help me get over my 40,000 step daily goal, mission accomplished. That is some serious star beams on the right.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Why is this place open at 9pm? Who needs a broom or a basket at 9pm? Why is this store in a residential street that is otherwise pitch black? Surely i](a-765.jpg)
Why is this place open at 9pm? Who needs a broom or a basket at 9pm? Why is this store in a residential street that is otherwise pitch black? Surely its a front for something?
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Final photo tonight is the mini Huis Ten Bosch located right here in Nagasaki. Well its on the right edge of this picture. To contain the Portuguese w](a-766.jpg)
Final photo tonight is the mini Huis Ten Bosch located right here in Nagasaki. Well its on the right edge of this picture. To contain the Portuguese who the Japanese refer to as Dutch, they made them all live on an artificial island. It now has re-created churches and coffee bars and a $10 entry fee. I bet I can get a tart from there. But probably not a purple sweet potato tart. I now eat purple sweet potato tarts exclusively.
Hiking a lap of Nagasaki over the amazing Megami bridge
As you shall see, today is all about the bridge, but also a tunnel, and also Mitsubishi, and also a more than 30km great loop around the Nagasaki bay. A great day indeed!
Over the last few days I have photographed the big bridge numerous times, from above, from far away, with ships going under it, but never before did I stand in the middle of it and dodge oncoming trucks to take a photo of its huge road decks. Thats my commitment to the 'art' of walking great distances and occasionally taking a photo.
The bridge was built in 2006 and is a tourist attraction because there is a lot of tour bus parking spots right where you start walking along it, many tourists walked 10 metres for a photo. This tourist walked all the way across after walking to it, crossed over the road several times, then found the bridge shrine, then kept going beyond the bridge to another island, then came back through tunnels to photograph more of the same damn bridge from a different angle. I liked the bridge. Also there were cats, lots of cats, I have a phone pic from where I stopped at a supermarket and I was attacked by an entire gang of rabid cats!
Now back to the bridge, it is called the Megamio bridge. On the far side of the bridge is the Mitsubishi heavy engineering factory, where they make warships from old scrapped Mitsubishi Magnas.
I enjoyed my long loopy walk around Nagasaki, I may have to give Nagasaki my coveted TOP STROLLING CITY award. You can stroll up hills, over bridges, through tunnels, and there is always a view and a cat or ten to keep you company. You can walk a giant loop around the whole place and still be back at your hotel in time to do your washing, which I am doing right now. Let me go check on that and finish typing this shortly....
Holy crap there are a lot of view pics to add comments to.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - My hotel is there somewhere. I know I sound old but, HOW ABOUT THIS WEATHER? I have had 3 weeks of perfect weather, the only 2 grey days were when I s](a-768.jpg)
My hotel is there somewhere. I know I sound old but, HOW ABOUT THIS WEATHER? I have had 3 weeks of perfect weather, the only 2 grey days were when I spent all day on a plane or a train.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - This is where you get the boat to Gunkanjima island. I considered it briefly but google told me the boat takes you around it, they may not even let yo](a-769.jpg)
This is where you get the boat to Gunkanjima island. I considered it briefly but google told me the boat takes you around it, they may not even let you off, and if they do there is UP TO a 200 metre path you are allowed to walk along. Interesting sign though.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - There really is a different cruise ship every day. They have a little mini market set up each morning. The tourists visiting for the day were just get](a-771.jpg)
There really is a different cruise ship every day. They have a little mini market set up each morning. The tourists visiting for the day were just getting off as I arrived. You can see them being marched along to their tour buses behind the fence. Some would visit the bridge. Some would probably go to the Dutch theme park.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Eventually much later in the day I would be all the way over the other side staring at those ships being built from behind a fence.](a-772.jpg)
Eventually much later in the day I would be all the way over the other side staring at those ships being built from behind a fence.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I dont think this is a church. I dont think its religious in anyway. I think its just a wedding hall where Japanese people have their 'western wedding](a-773.jpg)
I dont think this is a church. I dont think its religious in anyway. I think its just a wedding hall where Japanese people have their 'western wedding' without mention of Jesus and without some old guy giving you his permission to fornicate with your new wife and produce fresh meat for the church to abuse. I dont dodge the issues.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I thought this photo would turn out better than it did. It likely needs a lot of editing to make the background separate from the rusty foreground wit](a-774.jpg)
I thought this photo would turn out better than it did. It likely needs a lot of editing to make the background separate from the rusty foreground without making the colors of both weird.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - My walk around the old shipping yards was very interesting. At first glance it appears abandoned but often there were some old weathered geezers hangi](a-775.jpg)
My walk around the old shipping yards was very interesting. At first glance it appears abandoned but often there were some old weathered geezers hanging around waiting for a boat to arrive that needs some rusty bits replaced with even rustier bits.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Ahh, there she is. You could see a bit of the bridge above, but this is your first glance of the bridge in all its bridgey glory.](a-776.jpg)
Ahh, there she is. You could see a bit of the bridge above, but this is your first glance of the bridge in all its bridgey glory.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I had already come a long way from down town Nagasaki, a very interesting walk, and not a single hill to climb over!](a-777.jpg)
I had already come a long way from down town Nagasaki, a very interesting walk, and not a single hill to climb over!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - First I had to loop around under the bridge to get up onto the bridge where I will say the word bridge even more than I have been saying it so far.](a-778.jpg)
First I had to loop around under the bridge to get up onto the bridge where I will say the word bridge even more than I have been saying it so far.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - A lot of cruise ship bus tour groups were taking photos here. So I did also. Of course I waited for my chance when there were no other people. There w](a-780.jpg)
A lot of cruise ship bus tour groups were taking photos here. So I did also. Of course I waited for my chance when there were no other people. There was also a public toilet here! Presumably to stop people urinating off the bridge.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Traffic was very sparse and slow on the bridge. I felt as though it was perfectly safe to stand in the middle of the road. I still suspected the polic](a-781.jpg)
Traffic was very sparse and slow on the bridge. I felt as though it was perfectly safe to stand in the middle of the road. I still suspected the police might come and yell at me, but they did not.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Obviously the views from the bridge were pretty good. A bit windy today (by that I mean gentle breeze) so not a lot of smoke to ruin the view. This is](a-782.jpg)
Obviously the views from the bridge were pretty good. A bit windy today (by that I mean gentle breeze) so not a lot of smoke to ruin the view. This is the view away from Nagasaki. You can tell because you cant see Nagasaki.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - A hydrofoil going to one of the many islands went past at great speed. They must really damage the sea life and ocean floor. There is an even bigger s](a-783.jpg)
A hydrofoil going to one of the many islands went past at great speed. They must really damage the sea life and ocean floor. There is an even bigger ship building yard on that island in the distance.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Last shot from the bridge because of the huge solar farm along the rivers edge. Strange place for it I thought.](a-785.jpg)
Last shot from the bridge because of the huge solar farm along the rivers edge. Strange place for it I thought.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - While crossing the bridge I spotted a shrine on one of the hills. So now I had to figure out how to get to it. It wasnt difficult but you do have to f](a-786.jpg)
While crossing the bridge I spotted a shrine on one of the hills. So now I had to figure out how to get to it. It wasnt difficult but you do have to find the road that goes back under the bridge and kind of go backwards. There is a sign though. I think if you want to walk over this bridge you will be able to find the shrine. I provide helpful directions for future generations of bridge crossers.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Its a shrine, and the bridge lurking behind it. I like to presume the shrine exists to appease the earthquake gods into not destroying the bridge.](a-787.jpg)
Its a shrine, and the bridge lurking behind it. I like to presume the shrine exists to appease the earthquake gods into not destroying the bridge.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The shrine is clearly the best place to view the bridge from. Tour bus tourists miss out. SUCK IT LOSERS. Walking a 30km loop is far better than sitti](a-789.jpg)
The shrine is clearly the best place to view the bridge from. Tour bus tourists miss out. SUCK IT LOSERS. Walking a 30km loop is far better than sitting on a bus.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I think a lot of idiots like to come here and enjoy the view, because everyone has left their sake bottles and vodka cans lined up. Someone even left](a-790.jpg)
I think a lot of idiots like to come here and enjoy the view, because everyone has left their sake bottles and vodka cans lined up. Someone even left their esky?
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Shortly after the shrine I had to make a decision, more exploration on foot or head for home... I voted for more exploration and was soon back down at](a-791.jpg)
Shortly after the shrine I had to make a decision, more exploration on foot or head for home... I voted for more exploration and was soon back down at sea level, taking very low photos of the sea.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The entire coast was littered with little fishing ports like this. They look more like recreational fishers rather than commercial 'sweep the ocean fl](a-792.jpg)
The entire coast was littered with little fishing ports like this. They look more like recreational fishers rather than commercial 'sweep the ocean floor clean' fishing fleets.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The path to my tiny island was filled with a huge amount of disturbing rubbish, it was a bit annoying! I tried my best to not photograph all the aband](a-794.jpg)
The path to my tiny island was filled with a huge amount of disturbing rubbish, it was a bit annoying! I tried my best to not photograph all the abandoned floats and life jackets.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The far side of the filthy path revealed a causeway to a tiny island, time to get down low and take another photo. This is not used for anything anymo](a-795.jpg)
The far side of the filthy path revealed a causeway to a tiny island, time to get down low and take another photo. This is not used for anything anymore, they used to tie the dolphin hunting fleet up here and cut their delicious fins off.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The far side of the tiny island revealed an ancient sea wall, one that has defended Japan against hundreds of tsunamis.](a-796.jpg)
The far side of the tiny island revealed an ancient sea wall, one that has defended Japan against hundreds of tsunamis.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Again this area was filled with rubbish, but I found a nice angle where you cant notice it. I liked the colors here.](a-797.jpg)
Again this area was filled with rubbish, but I found a nice angle where you cant notice it. I liked the colors here.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - If only I could walk more than 30km at a time, I could go around there also! Not today, it was time to head back and do my washing.](a-798.jpg)
If only I could walk more than 30km at a time, I could go around there also! Not today, it was time to head back and do my washing.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The bay has lots of tiny islands, all kinds of weird stuff has happened on them over thousands of Meiji restorations.](a-799.jpg)
The bay has lots of tiny islands, all kinds of weird stuff has happened on them over thousands of Meiji restorations.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I found a supermarket to buy mass manufactured sushi for lunch. And I found this cat. Then more cats appeared. And eventually I had to flee! There wer](a-800.jpg)
I found a supermarket to buy mass manufactured sushi for lunch. And I found this cat. Then more cats appeared. And eventually I had to flee! There were 10 of them at least eyeing off my sushi.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - A tunnel appeared! I love tunnels nearly as much as bridges. Its not the same view but its a cool opportunity to stand in the traffic and mess about w](a-801.jpg)
A tunnel appeared! I love tunnels nearly as much as bridges. Its not the same view but its a cool opportunity to stand in the traffic and mess about with all the settings on your camera while fuel tankers approach! There were actually 2 tunnels I went through, this one was long and had curves in it, but they both had pedestrian walkways.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Another fishing boat area around near the Mitsubishi factory. I like the THREEDEENESS of this photo. My new trend by the way is to capitalize words I](a-802.jpg)
Another fishing boat area around near the Mitsubishi factory. I like the THREEDEENESS of this photo. My new trend by the way is to capitalize words I make up. Also the code editor thing I use to type this into only has an American dictionary for spell check, so I generally use z instead of s like in capitalize cause I hate the red squiggly line.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I did it! I actually succeeded in featuring the bridge and the tunnel in the same photo. I am a certifiable genius.](a-804.jpg)
I did it! I actually succeeded in featuring the bridge and the tunnel in the same photo. I am a certifiable genius.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Here is the Mitsubishi heavy engineering ship building factory number 7. The whole complex goes for many miles, generally there is a huge fence. In th](a-805.jpg)
Here is the Mitsubishi heavy engineering ship building factory number 7. The whole complex goes for many miles, generally there is a huge fence. In this gap in the fence I think I can see a warship being built.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I still had to get back around to there, where the cruise ship is, or a bit to the left of it. Time to get my jog on or I will never get back.](a-806.jpg)
I still had to get back around to there, where the cruise ship is, or a bit to the left of it. Time to get my jog on or I will never get back.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Last photo for today, great colors again here, these boats have been blown up a sewer. I did not expect boats on canals but there actually were numero](a-807.jpg)
Last photo for today, great colors again here, these boats have been blown up a sewer. I did not expect boats on canals but there actually were numerous areas just like this.
Eating ramen with added lard and a donut
Despite having walked forever already today, I left the hotel a bit early to run up a hill and take a night view shot of the city. That ended in failure. I had selected a park on a hill which google maps showed had a good enough view, not too far, in a different direction from where I had been before.
Off I set, at high speed, determined to be at the spot for the dark blue post sunset sky. I bounded up stairs and steep roads only to get to a totally tree covered, spider infested, pitch black slippery forest path. I briefly attempted to use my phone as a torch to follow the path, but giant birds were flying at my head and I think I saw a bear. So I made a hasty retreat and instead...took a photo of a drain.
Then it was time to find my dinner. Nagasaki has a specialty noodle called champon, which is literally noodles in a thickened sauce made almost entirely of lard! I decided that would not be something I would enjoy. By this point I was faint with hunger, slightly delirious, and eyeing off the octopus ball stand, so I settled on Ramen. With lard noodles on my mind, I was concerned when my ramen arrived not looking like the picture, but instead looking like a bowl of slightly diluted lard. I ate the noodles and the egg and beat a hasty retreat from LARDMEN.
So now I was still hungry, what to do except go eat some pastry fried in lard! It was delicious. I am scared I might develop a taste for donuts. I feel quite unwell now though, full of lard.
Tomorrow I fly back to Tokyo, where I still have 6 more nights to eat lard and be in locations with less view but more people to gawk at in the evenings. Thats if my JAL flight actually departs, theres a report today that in the last year or so 19 JAL pilots have blown over the limit and been fired and now they are short of pilots! 19 is a lot! You would think after a few of them were caught the others would know better, but clearly they are hopeless drunks, captaining a jet with 400 people on board. Awesome.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Here is a spooky drain after I beat a retreat from a spooky forest that prevented me from taking a night shot of Nagasaki.](a-808.jpg)
Here is a spooky drain after I beat a retreat from a spooky forest that prevented me from taking a night shot of Nagasaki.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Near the drain was this row of shops and houses, with strange colored lighting. It was over the road from a huge graveyard, perhaps the red lights are](a-809.jpg)
Near the drain was this row of shops and houses, with strange colored lighting. It was over the road from a huge graveyard, perhaps the red lights are to ward off evil spirits.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Even though I was right on the edge of the city, there were a few shops still open. Closer inspection revealed all of them (7 in total) to be fancy ba](a-810.jpg)
Even though I was right on the edge of the city, there were a few shops still open. Closer inspection revealed all of them (7 in total) to be fancy bakeries. All within a hundred or so metres of each other. Why would they all open in this small area?
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I never rode a tram in Nagasaki. Tomorrow I have to take a bus to the airport. The airport floats in the sea and has no train!](a-811.jpg)
I never rode a tram in Nagasaki. Tomorrow I have to take a bus to the airport. The airport floats in the sea and has no train!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - My retreat down the hill went through another closed shopping street. The places that were open make no sense to me. Florists, a mens suit shop, but t](a-812.jpg)
My retreat down the hill went through another closed shopping street. The places that were open make no sense to me. Florists, a mens suit shop, but the restaurants were closed?
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - And here is real LARDIFIED ramen. I hate it when the picture shows the egg cut in half and then they are too lazy to cut it and give you the full egg](a-814.jpg)
And here is real LARDIFIED ramen. I hate it when the picture shows the egg cut in half and then they are too lazy to cut it and give you the full egg instead. I always try and cut it in half with chopsticks as shown here. Have you ever tried to use a chopstick as a knife???
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Finally, evidence that I have consumed a donut. I will deny this later in court and reserve the right to delete this photo at any time and deny all kn](a-815.jpg)
Finally, evidence that I have consumed a donut. I will deny this later in court and reserve the right to delete this photo at any time and deny all knowledge.
There are currently 2 comments - click to add
mother on 2018-11-15 said:
You should have tried the champon. Cats and local specialty dishes.
adriana on 2018-11-15 said:
very scenic today. makes a nice change from all the forest paths.
Flying from Nagasaki to Tokyo on a JAL Boeing 737
I have returned back to Tokyo, land of things open at night, land of many trains that go to mountains, land of actual mountains rather than hills, land of Tokyo soup stock for healthy eating options rather than lard soup.
Before I BORINGLY recount the transport activities of the day allow me to summarise Nagasaki. I liked it. The views from the hills are fantastic. The weather probably influenced what I thought of it heavily. The bridge was great, I probably could do that a few times before I got bored. There were other hills to walk over and enjoy views but at night there was not much to do. The bomb stuff is ok, but underwhelming. If you went to Hiroshima or Nagasaki just to look at bomb related activities, I think you would be disappointed. Anyway, now for today.
The Nagasaki airport is nowhere near Nagasaki. It is also on a man made island in the sea and it also has no train going to it. THIS IS UNHEARD OF! Anyway, I think the Nagasaki city government sponsors the bus, because it was only $9 and it goes through some really really.....really long tunnels. More than half the journey is tunnels.
The airport is ok, it has a lot of shops for its small size and was quite busy. When I wandered in from the bus the check in counter was right. there. It took me a minute to convince myself this wasnt a pre check in check in where I get a number and directions to the check in, I just handed my bag and was done? I thought I might have been scammed by a fake JAL check in building that steals bags.
Now I was very early and had time for a coffee and some walking etc.
The flight today was fine also, a smaller 737 jet, completely full, no food etc, but no one near me seemed to have any kind of illness that might kill me, so that was a bonus.
Now to get from Haneda to Kanda, this was also very fast and easy, I took the monorail this time, and then its just 3 or 4 stops on the YAMANOTE line and my hotel is a very modern APA next to the station.
OK thats all matter of fact, lets now talk about the hotel check in. APA has these machines where they are trying to eliminate check in people, a person stands over you as you use it.
The first thing you do is scan your passport, this did not work. Eventually the guy standing over me took over, took a photograph of my passport on his personal phone and plugged that into the machine with a USB cable. I was already highly amused. Now I had to type in various information, but the touch screen would not work, he came around again to help, but it wasnt working for him either, 10 second delay on each key press. So he produces a keyboard and plugs that into the usb port.
Now its time for the credit card payment. It would not read my card at all. He pulls out a different credit card machine to take my payment, and then hacks the touch screen kiosk to tell it I have paid using something other than the kiosk via a service menu.
The final step is that its supposed to spit me our a room key. It made a grinding noise, and turned off! Check in helper guy just turned around and grabbed a key with a sticker of my room number on it from out of a box.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Not many photos today but I did make an effort to get some! I was awoken at 5:30AM so decided to get straight out of bed and run up another hill in th](a-816.jpg)
Not many photos today but I did make an effort to get some! I was awoken at 5:30AM so decided to get straight out of bed and run up another hill in the dark for a photo of the dawn. The first couple of stair cases I took ended in dead ends at shrines, so I took a dark shrine photo.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I was now a bit too late for the best of the red clouds when I found a view spot (its cloudy now) but I made the most of what was left of it.](a-817.jpg)
I was now a bit too late for the best of the red clouds when I found a view spot (its cloudy now) but I made the most of what was left of it.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - So many great spots to enjoy a view are ruined by wires and poles. Also people tend to build a big house with a private view enjoying area to prevent](a-819.jpg)
So many great spots to enjoy a view are ruined by wires and poles. Also people tend to build a big house with a private view enjoying area to prevent anyone else from enjoying the view.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Happy with making the most of my last chance for Nagasaki view, I descended back down for breakfast, and spotted this crane under the bridge. This rem](a-820.jpg)
Happy with making the most of my last chance for Nagasaki view, I descended back down for breakfast, and spotted this crane under the bridge. This reminded me, a couple of nights ago I took a photo of a dark river and theres a crane in that photo also. I am offering a reward if you can spot it and tell me the number of the photo in the comments.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - OK, heres something unusual! In many respects. This is actually a photo from my phone, I went to the effort of importing it and including it in the ex](a-820111.jpg)
OK, heres something unusual! In many respects. This is actually a photo from my phone, I went to the effort of importing it and including it in the export to my website etc because I got feedback it was awesome. The other unusual thing is the aisle seats. As you board this bus and the normal seats are full, you fold down an extra seat that hangs off the normal seats and sit in the aisle! This would make an evacuation in a fire very difficult! Luckily my bus did not catch fire but there have been numerous bus fires that killed almost everyone on board!
Btw, my skin is not that smooth or white. All Samsung phones selfie cams have beautification baked in that cannot be fully disabled. It is designed to make Asian (Korean) faces skinnier, smoother, and most alarmingly, whiter. Apple actually did the same thing and had to fix it with a patch...they chose not to fix it in Korea!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I was not planning to take this photo but I have a story. Before these kids assembled for this photo they did a very loud countdown for Santa to appea](a-821.jpg)
I was not planning to take this photo but I have a story. Before these kids assembled for this photo they did a very loud countdown for Santa to appear, even though he was standing next to the stage. So in Japanese 10, 9, 8.......,3 2, 1... you get the idea. Santa leaps on stage and starts waving etc. and the kids instinctively broke into a song sung to the tune of old Macdonald had a farm? Is that the default Japan xmas song?
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The airport has a cool lookout, its on an island but there is a hill, so its not completely man made, they added onto a real island.](a-822.jpg)
The airport has a cool lookout, its on an island but there is a hill, so its not completely man made, they added onto a real island.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Those mountains across the water are the reason why the airport has to be in the sea. There is nowhere flat near Nagasaki. I proved that over the last](a-823.jpg)
Those mountains across the water are the reason why the airport has to be in the sea. There is nowhere flat near Nagasaki. I proved that over the last few days.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - I was early enough to appreciate all the attractions, included these 3 tyres! You may joke but I was very interested in how the smaller jets and large](a-825.jpg)
I was early enough to appreciate all the attractions, included these 3 tyres! You may joke but I was very interested in how the smaller jets and larger jets have almost the same size tyres, the larger jets just have a lot more of them.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Now here is my APA in Kanda, which is the station between Akihabara and Tokyo. It is very new and modern. Theres a huge tv taking up the entire wall a](a-826.jpg)
Now here is my APA in Kanda, which is the station between Akihabara and Tokyo. It is very new and modern. Theres a huge tv taking up the entire wall at the foot of the bed. It is probably the biggest APA room I ever stayed in actually. Cheap too! About $100 a night on average even though its Tokyo and includes a weekend.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - It also has a view of the Skytree. I dont know how this photo worked out as well as it did because my room window does not open so this was shot throu](a-827.jpg)
It also has a view of the Skytree. I dont know how this photo worked out as well as it did because my room window does not open so this was shot through glass. The glass also has fine wire mesh running through it, but you cant see it at all in the photo. I dont get it at all. I guess with the huge lens stopped down to f6.3 the aperture is small enough to miss those wires. OK thats enough boring photography talk, I have a lot of steps to get this evening!
Walking across the city taking in views of the Tokyo tower
Days where I spend all day with my bum on a plane, bus, train, monorail etc means that by the time I get to my hotel I have a lot of walking to do to get to my daily goal. That goal at the moment is 33,333.33 recurring steps per day. You see November is a 30 day month and I want to get to a million steps in a month. My current record which was set earlier this year when I was in China is around 980k. I am well ahead now but know it will be harder once I am back in Australia to do 33k per day to get my stupid goal, so I have to work on getting far enough ahead on my stupid goal now to give me some buffer. You get the idea.
God was that boring.
So what to do then? Walk all the way across Tokyo from Kanda near Tokyo station to Harajuku near Shibuya station, via the Tokyo tower.
If I didnt need my steps I could have easily just stayed in Kanda, there is lots here. My journey however took me along the edge of the imperial palace, where there are big very new very fancy, too fancy for me shopping centres. But they do have Christmas decorations and public toilets.
I continued down this road until I got to the Tokyo tower, I had never actually been to it before. Tonight I just walked past, no time to go in, steps to get. The next destination was Roppongi, where I already went earlier in this trip where I again wondered if I was in Tokyo or a western country. Why do westerners all love Roppongi? I had not time to explore it properly to find out, need more steps, got to get my steps.
Then I was very surprised to find myself walking through an enormous cemetery, in central Tokyo. It seems like a strange place to put it.
From cemetery land it was just a few more thousand steps to get to Harajuku, not my favourite place, its mainly junk shops and white people taking photos not buying anything (I hate those idiots). To round off the evening I then decided to go to an Australian fast food Mexican style restaurant, Guzman Y Gomez, which I eat in Australia about once a week.
That all wasnt very exciting, but I got my steps.
I have not decided what I am doing tomorrow yet. The weather is supposed to be good, but it might rain early next week so I should probably make the most of tomorrow. Maybe I will just get on a train and head into the mountains and get off at a stop that seems interesting? Mountain roulette!
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Cigarette shops are very different in Japan. Advertising is still everywhere. Big posters, billboards, bikini girls, vending machines.](a-828.jpg)
Cigarette shops are very different in Japan. Advertising is still everywhere. Big posters, billboards, bikini girls, vending machines.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Right near Kanda there is a cool walkway where you can set up a couple of long exposures like this one....](a-829.jpg)
Right near Kanda there is a cool walkway where you can set up a couple of long exposures like this one....
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - This is one of the very new looking shopping centres near the imperial palace. The xmas lights show is all choreographed to music. The worst xmas song](a-831.jpg)
This is one of the very new looking shopping centres near the imperial palace. The xmas lights show is all choreographed to music. The worst xmas song of all, the stupid one by Paul McCartney... having a wonderful Christmas time. The wrong Beatle got shot.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - Ahh, here we have the Tokyo tower. Hard to believe I had never been here before. It is in a weird spot.](a-832.jpg)
Ahh, here we have the Tokyo tower. Hard to believe I had never been here before. It is in a weird spot.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - The streets of Roppongi were busy and colorful. I saw a Russian family having their usual middle of the street screaming match. Which reminds me, I al](a-835.jpg)
The streets of Roppongi were busy and colorful. I saw a Russian family having their usual middle of the street screaming match. Which reminds me, I also passed the Russian embassy. I held my breath in case they had some Novichok brewing ready to give Shinzo Abe who is currently negotiating the disputed islands off the Northern coast with Putin.
![Of course I am back in Japan yet again - Oct and Nov 2018 - And finally, here is my spicy chicken burrito bowl, just like in Australia! The serving was smaller and they give you more of their fried tortilla thi](a-839.jpg)
And finally, here is my spicy chicken burrito bowl, just like in Australia! The serving was smaller and they give you more of their fried tortilla things, but other than that, exactly the same! There were a lot of Australians in here too.
There are currently 3 comments - click to add
Adriana on 2018-11-17 said:
I like walking in tokyo. Places are not that far apart and you get to see all sorts of interesting areas you miss in the chikatetsu
mother on 2018-11-16 said:
Like the sun rise shots very much.
Brian on 2018-11-16 said:
like the early morning shots
There are currently 3 comments - click to add
mother on 2018-11-14 said:
Bit quiet at night isn't it.
Jenny on 2018-11-14 said:
Go to Gunkanjima
jenny on 2018-11-14 said:
Enough hills now. How about a stroll round a fishing village or interesting historical place for a day trip?