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Even More Trips

HongJapWan March 2014
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SE Asia December 2005

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Page 1

Day 1 - Saturday, 26 October 2019

I do not care if I am late

Eating breakfast at the house lounge in Melbourne airport

OK, so as happens every November, I am heading to Japan for 4 weeks to climb mountains, shoot at typhoons and annoy the new Emperor.
This time I will be making a clockwise loop starting and finishing in Tokyo, staying at Takasaki, Niigata, Yamagata and Koriyama along the way.

Today I must first fly to Hong Kong. 10 hours. But then I must wait in Hong Kong for 8 hours before my flight to Narita. This is why I do not care if my flight is delayed.

During my 8 hours in Hong Kong I plan to start a third side in the ongoing riot situation, which sometimes shuts down the airport. My team will focus on the real issue, Japan is the real owner of China. The USA stole it from them in WW2.

After protesting, its another 4 or so hours to Narita, where I will arrive way too early to check in to my hotel, so again, I wont care if my flight is delayed.

Enough nonsense, I need to pace around before my 10 hour flight to focus my thoughts on how to start a protest movement.

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I think I took a photo from roughly this spot on my way to Europe a few months ago. On the left you can see Australia's weak imitation of the glorious

I think I took a photo from roughly this spot on my way to Europe a few months ago. On the left you can see Australia's weak imitation of the glorious pants building in Beijing.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here is my breakfast at the lounge shared by Virgin and Etihad, I ordered an omelet, which came without toast, so then I made my own toast and also go

Here is my breakfast at the lounge shared by Virgin and Etihad, I ordered an omelet, which came without toast, so then I made my own toast and also got some yoghurt and fruit salad. Fascinating I realise, but photos of airport lounge food are the most linked of all my website content. Seriously.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - It looks like my plane is not even here yet. So here is a photo of an air India plane. These photos are also very popular with people searching google

It looks like my plane is not even here yet. So here is a photo of an air India plane. These photos are also very popular with people searching google image search. If you came here searching for boring plane photos, please read my whole site, I promise there will be more photos of boring stuff!


Bike pump

How to kill 8 hours in Hong Kong airport

My flight to Hong Kong was comfortable and less than half full. I had the entire middle block to myself and could have laid down, but did not.
In front of me there was a family with 3 small babies. As soon as the seatbelt sign went off the parents leapt up and started assembling various contraptions. After some time, it was ready to be inflated. Really.
The father pulled out a big bike pump and started pumping, and at the end an entire bouncy castle arrangement that could contain 3 babies had been constructed.
Then, just before he put the pump away, another father came and asked to borrow the pump, he brought his castle but forgot his pump. So there you go, coming soon on a flight near you, hours of pumping noises.

Now onto how to kill time in Hong Kong airport.

1. Walk a long way, I have walked at least 10km inside the airport.
2. Have something to drink. I have had a warm milk drink.
3. Take a shower. The Hong Kong airlines lounge has good showers.
4. Take a nap. I am going to try, but what if I oversleep? Its still 5 hours to my flight.

I do feel very tired currently, perhaps I am getting weak with old age.

Also an update on protesters, there are none. I walked to where they were protesting in recent weeks, which was immediately before the immigration counters, you can see out into the departure hall from just the other side, I could see no one in black face masks at all. Lots of old man security guards though, but I suspect they were always there.
Now, time for my nap.

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Its definitely boring photo time. I stopped at Pacific coffee for a burnt brown sugar and ginger latte. I like these a lot and wish they had them in A

Its definitely boring photo time. I stopped at Pacific coffee for a burnt brown sugar and ginger latte. I like these a lot and wish they had them in Australia. Pacific coffee is apparently Hong Kong owned, where as Starbucks is Mainland China owned, and hence, some Starbucks stores have been molotov'd lately.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I walked to every corner of the airport, but eventually ended up at the satellite concourse where most Hong Kong Airlines flights leave from.

I walked to every corner of the airport, but eventually ended up at the satellite concourse where most Hong Kong Airlines flights leave from.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here is my shower. Lovely moldy wood paneling. American spell checker is doing its thing.

Here is my shower. Lovely moldy wood paneling. American spell checker is doing its thing.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I have not much else to do, so heres a photo of a toilet and mirrors and whatever. Squint and you can see me.

I have not much else to do, so heres a photo of a toilet and mirrors and whatever. Squint and you can see me.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - And finally, here is my nap spot. Maybe. Hmmm. Its very dark in here, so this is a noisy photo to get some exposure whatever.

And finally, here is my nap spot. Maybe. Hmmm. Its very dark in here, so this is a noisy photo to get some exposure whatever.


There are currently 3 comments - click to add

mother on 2019-10-26 said:

yes it's on. Read all your photo editing spiel. Very interesting. HK airport has had a bit of a reno since we were there.


David on 2019-10-26 said:

Nap spot failed, too noisy and freezing cold, too hard and weird angle. No sleep for me.


David on 2019-10-26 said:

is this thing on?


Day 2 - Sunday, 27 October 2019

Still not in Tokyo

Hong Kong to Narita on a Hong Kong Airlines A330

Now I am on the very familiar Kesei Skyliner train going from Narita airport to Tokyo, which is far, but fast. I am typing this on the train and the Japanese guy next to me is reading it, or trying to anyway. Hello something-san!

Prior to this, I experienced a new record. After the plane landed, bounced 3 times and came to a halt somewhere near Japan, we then proceeded to taxi back to the terminal, for 38 minutes. A new record. It was so very very slow. I could not see out the front of the plane, but I can assure you that there was a little old man running slowly in front of it directing the pilot, waving a flag and blowing a whistle while wearing a vest with lights embedded in it. He stopped for tea at one point and checked the fax machine for updated directions to the terminal.

Since I am working back chronologically, prior to that, I was on a plane, from Hong Kong to Narita, it was only a 4 hour flight. We left late but that was fine, as I am too early for my hotel. This timeline is confusing I know. The flight was fine, I did not get any sleep. That is a theme. It was also completely full, which was surprising.
As we came into Narita, I thought I might see Fuji, but it is cloudy. I noticed quite a lot of people taking photos of cloud where Fuji should be. Maybe they have fancy cameras that can see through cloud? Or maybe they plan to photoshop fuji into the photo, theres a filter for that.

Now working back a bit further to where the other update ended which mentally seems to have been written about a week ago, time to discuss the nap couch thing. No nap. The CHAISE LOUNGE was too hard, strange angle, it was too noisy and too damn cold. People kept coming in to my little area to see if I was really a person or if they could sleep there. So now we (me / I) are on no sleep for days and still I have managed to take some really boring photos I have taken previously.

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Upon arriving in Japan, I still like to get a wifi thing, instead of a SIM card. That way I can use my regular work SIM card to receive SMS's to log i

Upon arriving in Japan, I still like to get a wifi thing, instead of a SIM card. That way I can use my regular work SIM card to receive SMS's to log into various secure work related things. Anyway, I preorder it months in advance from the same place I have always used which is probably the most expensive. I knew the post office would be shut for another 10 minutes but that was fine, theres a coffee shop next door.
I post this here because everyone arriving in Japan needs to collect something from this shop, either a wifi thingy or a SIM card. So here is the shop. It opens at 08:30.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I took this photo on a previous trip and used it to debug the way chrome re sizes photos with very poor quality. So I took it again so I can analyze l

I took this photo on a previous trip and used it to debug the way chrome re sizes photos with very poor quality. So I took it again so I can analyze later and become frustrated that Google has again changed / broken something.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - And for the last boring photo. Its an airport. Lots of construction going on inside and out. There was basically no carpet anywhere inside, just dusty

And for the last boring photo. Its an airport. Lots of construction going on inside and out. There was basically no carpet anywhere inside, just dusty concrete. It really is a crap airport.


Killing time in familiar places

Wandering around Ueno and Akihabara on a Sunday afternoon

As mentioned above, my flight and train and other things all added up to get me to Ueno at about 9AM, for a 3PM check in at the hotel. Oh well. Despite having near record levels of tired, time to push on.

I decided the best thing to do was stagger like a drunk down to Akihabara and fit in with all the English Rugby supporters who really were drunk before lunch and were harassing 15 year old girls dressed as whores who were trying to get their attention but did not actually want any attention.
I walked very slowly, had lunch, walked slowly some more, sat and drank various carbonated sugar free beverages, staggered to find a public facilities until eventually it was time to stagger back to my hotel, check in and type this, so here we are.

The photos are all things I have taken photos of on previous trips, but at least they are not planes, airports and airline lounge food.

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - My hotel is right near Ueno station, so first up, I took a tour of the area around Ueno station. I am very familiar with this area.

My hotel is right near Ueno station, so first up, I took a tour of the area around Ueno station. I am very familiar with this area.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here is a look down a street. In Ueno. Quite a heavy crop, my camera has no zoom!

Here is a look down a street. In Ueno. Quite a heavy crop, my camera has no zoom!


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I still dont know what this means. There was Van Gough paintings, a turtle, photos of Mount Fuji.

I still dont know what this means. There was Van Gough paintings, a turtle, photos of Mount Fuji.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Heres a photo I took last time I was too early to check into a hotel in Ueno.

Heres a photo I took last time I was too early to check into a hotel in Ueno.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I was a bit early for the actual main street to be closed off in Akihabara, but there were lots of people even before lunch time, including lots of pe

I was a bit early for the actual main street to be closed off in Akihabara, but there were lots of people even before lunch time, including lots of people here for the rugby world cup. I am a little disappointed I did not receive an SMS advising me that public urination is not acceptable. Before rugby games the government has been sending various messages to foreign SIM cards connected to a Japanese mobile network reminding rugby fans that punching random old people is not an acceptable fun time activity in Japan.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - My lunch consisted of vegetables and a pastry. It was very nice, but not a lot of food. I am starving right now, typing this as fast as I can so I can

My lunch consisted of vegetables and a pastry. It was very nice, but not a lot of food. I am starving right now, typing this as fast as I can so I can go get some dinner.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - DO AS THE SIGN SAYS.

DO AS THE SIGN SAYS.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Even the back streets of Akihabara were busy before lunch today. Look at all those uber nerds.

Even the back streets of Akihabara were busy before lunch today. Look at all those uber nerds.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I normally save the photos of the reeds / lilies / weeds here in Ueno park until my last day, when they are dead.

I normally save the photos of the reeds / lilies / weeds here in Ueno park until my last day, when they are dead.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Because today they are not dead yet, here have a second photo of them.

Because today they are not dead yet, here have a second photo of them.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Nearby the temple is having a Halloween festival with a girl band and middle age men who are way too into it and sing all the words and know the dance

Nearby the temple is having a Halloween festival with a girl band and middle age men who are way too into it and sing all the words and know the dance moves. It felt uncomfortable.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - In Japan, religious festivals at temples involve girl bands, potato twister on a stick thing and Halloween.

In Japan, religious festivals at temples involve girl bands, potato twister on a stick thing and Halloween.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - And then, after way way too long, I got to check into my hotel. It is simply called the Ueno hotel. It is cheap and my room has an amazing shower. I l

And then, after way way too long, I got to check into my hotel. It is simply called the Ueno hotel. It is cheap and my room has an amazing shower. I like it a lot, I think its my third time staying here.


Finally ran out of puff

Exploring the overhead tracks of Ueno

As the title says. I am exhausted. I cannot go any further.
Also astute viewers may notice the addition of a subtitle thing under the title. What I have discovered is that no one can find my website content on Google because I always use obscure puns that do not even mean anything to me as titles for each section. So Google can therefore never classify my content.
The subtitle is therefore just a descriptive factual description describing things that I have done that day. The real title is above it, and much more meaningfulnessless. Thats a new word.

I knew I was exhausted before I left my hotel, but leave I did, and stuck to Ueno, which I wrote about earlier as the location of my hotel, if you have been paying attention and reading in order that would be fully apparent. I took photos of the overhead tracks and pipes and stuff, a few of them are shared below for your viewing pleasure. Then I went and had dinner, and here I am typing this, ready for bed, but trying to stay awake until 9PM local time, lets see who wins. No one wins.
Oh yeah, a rare third update today, despite massive ongoing tiredness. Devotion, plentiful, meaninglessly mindful.

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here are some bikes, some pipes, and a guy lit up by bright lights. Thats a new form of Haiku. Guy at the end of the alley was yelling loudly to himse

Here are some bikes, some pipes, and a guy lit up by bright lights. Thats a new form of Haiku. Guy at the end of the alley was yelling loudly to himself. I yelled back. He was a better yeller than me so I scurried off. I cannot win this battle. Knowing when to retreat is the mark of a great warrior. If you retreat before the battle has started you will never be defeated.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here are some tracks, people, neon.

Here are some tracks, people, neon.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I remembered to look up to have an upward look from under the tracks. Things are looking up.

I remembered to look up to have an upward look from under the tracks. Things are looking up.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - The markets selling fresh fruit, bear bile, sea grapes and supreme t-shirts were still going strong on a Sunday night.

The markets selling fresh fruit, bear bile, sea grapes and supreme t-shirts were still going strong on a Sunday night.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I have been up those steps before, I think theres a view, but not tonight. My poor legs cannot take me there.

I have been up those steps before, I think theres a view, but not tonight. My poor legs cannot take me there.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - For dinner, I had almost all the Japanese cuisines at once. If they could have thrown some Ramen on the plate I would be done. Actually I had somethin

For dinner, I had almost all the Japanese cuisines at once. If they could have thrown some Ramen on the plate I would be done. Actually I had something that was just that in a Nagoya train station years ago, which I believe was literally called, everything on a plate, with sauce. OK THATS IT. BED TIME.


There are currently 2 comments - click to add

mother on 2019-10-27 said:

what are uber nerds? i like the alley shot.


adriana on 2019-10-27 said:

read it. I suppose the update is for the olympics - like everything else in Tokyo.


Day 3 - Monday, 28 October 2019

Expensive trip to small mountain

Daytrip to hike Mount Tsukuba using public transport

Today I went to the second most popular mountain near Tokyo, Tsukuba. Strangely I have not been here before, I thought I had, but my memory was wrong. I checked and now know that on a rainy day when I came to Tokyo for the weekend a few years ago I actually went to Takao not Tsukuba. It is a little bit surprising that I had not been here before, but now that situation is fully remedied with great remediation.

As the title alludes to, it was really quite expensive! You have to take a private railway, the Tsukuba Express, then a 40 minute bus ride. All up to go there and back cost over $50! Extorionistic I say.

For many people the cost would be much higher as you are supposed to take 2 cable cars, of course I mocked them and threw rocks at them and hiked.

Something I predicted would happen at some point on this trip already happened, the main trail was closed due to fallen trees. I suspect I could have just ignored that and found a way around them, but since there were other trails to choose from on this mountain, I decided to heed the warnings. It did seem strange when the hikers that got off my bus all went the wrong way, turns out they were right and I was wrong.

Anyway, despite the high cost, it was a good day of hiking a small mountain, it serves as a warm up for longer, more boring hikes to come, so heed my warning.

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Frequently, when I get to the start of the trail, I cannot actually take a photo of the mountain because it looks like a wall of trees with no peak. T

Frequently, when I get to the start of the trail, I cannot actually take a photo of the mountain because it looks like a wall of trees with no peak. To remedy that, today I took a photo out the bus window. There are actually 2 peaks to climb, the male and female peak. I climbed both. This photo came out really well considering its taken through glass from a moving bus.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - The view from the bus stop was decent. A bit hazey today, absolutely no wind, definitely shorts and t-shirt weather.

The view from the bus stop was decent. A bit hazey today, absolutely no wind, definitely shorts and t-shirt weather.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Hard to get lost, the giant red gate shows you the way. Those are some nice powerlines too!

Hard to get lost, the giant red gate shows you the way. Those are some nice powerlines too!


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Obviously there will be a shrine. Both trails up start from here, turn left for one, turn right for the other.

Obviously there will be a shrine. Both trails up start from here, turn left for one, turn right for the other.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - DAMN IT! As I said, theres more than one path up, and a different way again most of the way down. Its convenient that they added English to the sign,

DAMN IT! As I said, theres more than one path up, and a different way again most of the way down. Its convenient that they added English to the sign, and Chinese, no Korean though. Luckily I can not read Korean, otherwise I would have been here all day reading the sign had they remembered to add it.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Time to engage in some forest bathing. It is now legally mandated that all salary men spend one day a month forest bathing (unpaid).

Time to engage in some forest bathing. It is now legally mandated that all salary men spend one day a month forest bathing (unpaid).


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - There are many auspicious rocks on this mountain, most of them have something to do with fertility, as does the whole male and female mountain thing.

There are many auspicious rocks on this mountain, most of them have something to do with fertility, as does the whole male and female mountain thing. The bus to get here had a soundtrack explaining it all, suggesting that the mountain peaks were highly compatible.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - There are also mini roped off shrines that you cannot really get to and see. Japan loves ropes.

There are also mini roped off shrines that you cannot really get to and see. Japan loves ropes.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - This rock gives men amazing power! Theres a page of Japanese text, and in English it says 'MAN POWER ROCK'. Hmm, it looks way more feminine than mascu

This rock gives men amazing power! Theres a page of Japanese text, and in English it says 'MAN POWER ROCK'. Hmm, it looks way more feminine than masculine.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - The horror, the horror! Despite quite a lot of kind of dangerous scrambling over rocks, a lot of school groups featuring children no older than 10 are

The horror, the horror! Despite quite a lot of kind of dangerous scrambling over rocks, a lot of school groups featuring children no older than 10 are making the journey, very very.... very slowly. No way to pass. No amount of me swearing and throwing stuff at them would make them get out of my way. My journey up from here on in was slow. They had not come the entire way up, but the path over the rocks from the cable car is the tricky bit.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - A glimpse of the cable car that delivered small children onto my path.

A glimpse of the cable car that delivered small children onto my path.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Summit time. This is the female summit. Fun fact, male and female are the same sounding words in Chinese and Japanese, nan for men, nu for women.

Summit time. This is the female summit. Fun fact, male and female are the same sounding words in Chinese and Japanese, nan for men, nu for women.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - The view. I culled a lot. Some of that haze is farmer smoke. I think I saw on the tv news this morning a smoke warning.

The view. I culled a lot. Some of that haze is farmer smoke. I think I saw on the tv news this morning a smoke warning.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - The path across the ridge, past the other cable car (there are 2 different ones) to the man mountain.

The path across the ridge, past the other cable car (there are 2 different ones) to the man mountain.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - NAILED IT! On the first attempt too!

NAILED IT! On the first attempt too!


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here is the mini shrine on the top of the female mountain that is a girls only toilet, make up shop and place to gossip about how your other female wo

Here is the mini shrine on the top of the female mountain that is a girls only toilet, make up shop and place to gossip about how your other female work mates are all bitches.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Like most Japanese mountains, there are many contraptions set up to allow the Emperor to effectively communicate with the sky demons.

Like most Japanese mountains, there are many contraptions set up to allow the Emperor to effectively communicate with the sky demons.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - You will see that on the saddle area between peaks there are a lot of shops. This shop however is on its own in a very nice spot, so nice that it has

You will see that on the saddle area between peaks there are a lot of shops. This shop however is on its own in a very nice spot, so nice that it has zero customers. I got their hopes up as I staggered out to the edge to take this photo. But then I just walked off.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here are the shops near the other cable car station, from these I made a purchase as you shall see.

Here are the shops near the other cable car station, from these I made a purchase as you shall see.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I knew what the coffee was, I take mine black in Japan when it comes in a can, but the biscuit / cookie looking thing I had no idea. Will it be savory

I knew what the coffee was, I take mine black in Japan when it comes in a can, but the biscuit / cookie looking thing I had no idea. Will it be savory or sweet? It had no discernible odor. I bit into it, half expecting it to taste like fish or soap. No! It is a block of honeycomb! Now I have the diabeetus!


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - If you get off the cable car and buy a block of honeycomb, this is your view.

If you get off the cable car and buy a block of honeycomb, this is your view.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - The short path up to the top of man mountain was not long, in fact it was short as I just said, but still had some technical sections like this to scr

The short path up to the top of man mountain was not long, in fact it was short as I just said, but still had some technical sections like this to scramble up. Fun times. Some of these rocks had been worn very smooth, quite treacherous on the way down.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - View from man mountain.

View from man mountain.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - It was now time to head back to girl mountain, or more politically correct, woman mountain, and find a way down to the other shrine / cable car. Lets

It was now time to head back to girl mountain, or more politically correct, woman mountain, and find a way down to the other shrine / cable car. Lets get going!


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I found the other path, which was a lot less technical.

I found the other path, which was a lot less technical.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - THATS MY BUS! I ran dangerously down the last bit, the bus set off without me, I stood in the road and flagged it down and he let me on, but this caus

THATS MY BUS! I ran dangerously down the last bit, the bus set off without me, I stood in the road and flagged it down and he let me on, but this caused all kinds of confusion in charging me the right extremely high fare as the machine had already ticked over to a slightly less extremely high fare. There was more confusion when I got off again, and a lot of very fast speaking in Japanese, to which I nodded and smiled.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Yeah, its the inside of a bus. Despite the high cost, Mount Tsukuba is a fun day trip from Tokyo, especially if you are not into 6 hour plus hikes, th

Yeah, its the inside of a bus. Despite the high cost, Mount Tsukuba is a fun day trip from Tokyo, especially if you are not into 6 hour plus hikes, this one can be done slowly in about 4 hours. Slow because of school kids.


Sky Soba

Walking to the Skytree to eat hot soba

Not many photos tonight. All I did was walk from Ueno to the Skytree and back and eat some delicious hot soba in a foodcourt. I like foodcourts, I get to be among the people, I get to sit near people that immediately, and silently pick up their trays and move somewhere else to eat. Even if I am 2 tables over. So welcoming of them to give me a bit of space.

You may also have heard that Tokyo is hosting the Olympics next year. Well not all of it, some of the distance running and walking events have been moved to Sapporo due to the heat of the Tokyo summer. Anyway, to indoctrinate the population to accept the massive bill, the main government broadcaster now plays Olympic propaganda films on repeat.

First there was a great Japanese history lasting 20,000 years. Then many great gold medal winning athletes who were bombed in Hiroshima started training while the bomb was still going off. Their dreams were answered, when Tokyo hosted the Olympics in 1964, the world was made to apologise for war atrocities. Then nothing much happened for a while. Chairman Shinzo Abe re-ascended. Children again found the will to start training. A new Emperor announced the re imperialisation of Japan, with the Reiwa era of COMPLIANCE. Athletes agreed to comply. And now soon it will all culminate in Tokyo 2020, when the world will apologise once again.

I am very certain my translation of the events in these documentaries is 100% accurate.

Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Here is one of the shopping streets in Asakusa, near the shrine. I go here regularly when I visit. I like all the small stores selling traditional war

Here is one of the shopping streets in Asakusa, near the shrine. I go here regularly when I visit. I like all the small stores selling traditional wares. I buy nothing of course. My favorite shop this evening was selling nothing except for blue aprons for people that slice fish. That is all the entire store had for sale.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Pissing in public is a big problem in Japan. These signs are particularly prominent in car parks, reminding drunk guys returning to their cars not to

Pissing in public is a big problem in Japan. These signs are particularly prominent in car parks, reminding drunk guys returning to their cars not to piss and drive.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - Shrine. Seen it before, at least 4 times before.

Shrine. Seen it before, at least 4 times before.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - I was not even going to take a photo of the Skytree, but I liked the station lighting at the bottom of it.

I was not even going to take a photo of the Skytree, but I liked the station lighting at the bottom of it.


Japan for the 9th time - Oct and Nov 2019 - And here is my delicious dinner, featuring hot soba and some tempura vegetables. Right now I am enjoying mandarin slices in white flavourless calorie

And here is my delicious dinner, featuring hot soba and some tempura vegetables. Right now I am enjoying mandarin slices in white flavourless calorie free jelly for dessert.


There are currently 5 comments - click to add

bobule on 2019-11-04 said:

epic photos, would love to walk that mountain trail


David on 2019-10-29 said:

Really not far at all, maybe 3km? The back streets between ueno and asakusa are all very nice little shops, they have made new wider footpaths along one narrow street in particular


adriana on 2019-10-28 said:

How many kms from Ueno to Skytree? We have walked from asakusa to Ueno - nice walk


David on 2019-10-28 said:

When I got off again at the train station which was my destination.
As you know in Japan you tap on after getting on at that middle door, then tap off when you get off at the drivers door. It uses gps to calculate the fare to deduct based on how far you have travelled


mother on 2019-10-28 said:

man and woman are pronounced differently in Japanese than Chinese. Why did you get off the bus again?


Page 2 starts with surprising unwanted rain, click the navigation to go there now

Contents

Day 1 - Saturday, 26 October 2019
  I do not care if I am late
  Bike pump
Day 2 - Sunday, 27 October 2019
  Still not in Tokyo
  Killing time in familiar places
  Finally ran out of puff
Day 3 - Monday, 28 October 2019
  Expensive trip to small mountain
  Sky Soba
Day 4 - Tuesday, 29 October 2019
  An entire forest just for me
  New and undercover
Day 5 - Wednesday, 30 October 2019
  Three peak party
  All the neon in all the places
Day 6 - Thursday, 31 October 2019
  The quiet river
  Busy but not as busy
Day 7 - Friday, 1 November 2019
  Au naturale hiking trail
  The station is so station
Day 8 - Saturday, 2 November 2019
  Surprise Buddha
  The town that got bypassed
Day 9 - Sunday, 3 November 2019
  A walk in the volcano park
  Takasaki has a lot of shops
Day 10 - Monday, 4 November 2019
  Staying the course
  Walkway to nowhere
Day 11 - Tuesday, 5 November 2019
  Quiet coastal city under construction
  Early night
Day 12 - Wednesday, 6 November 2019
  Fast run up an icy mountain
  Still quiet
Day 13 - Thursday, 7 November 2019
  Lagooning about
  Bus rapid transit
Day 14 - Friday, 8 November 2019
  Full range
  Once more to the station
Day 15 - Saturday, 9 November 2019
  A bridge between two tunnels
  Jacket time
Day 16 - Sunday, 10 November 2019
  Ice capades on magic mountain
  A rare event indeed
Day 17 - Monday, 11 November 2019
  Repeat visit
  Rain the other way
Day 18 - Tuesday, 12 November 2019
  Hot and very windy
  Fuku-Kori-Shima-Yama
Day 19 - Wednesday, 13 November 2019
  No ice just blue skies
  Lard noodles
Day 20 - Thursday, 14 November 2019
  Turtle hunt
  The opposite end of the aeon
Day 21 - Friday, 15 November 2019
  Back to the big city
  Off broadway
Day 22 - Saturday, 16 November 2019
  Dam dirty and noisy hike
  No sign of tension
Day 23 - Sunday, 17 November 2019
  Entry fee
  Expensive hamburger patty
Day 24 - Monday, 18 November 2019
  The most time consuming
  Favourite dinner
Day 25 - Tuesday, 19 November 2019
  Training day
  Double juku buya
Day 26 - Wednesday, 20 November 2019
  More landslides
  The last supper
Day 27 - Thursday, 21 November 2019
  Between flights
  The end