Traditional Houses and Cherry Blossom

Despite British Airways cabin crew strike and thanks to KLM we arrived back in Glasgow as planned on 20th March. We had enjoyed a wonderful trip, seeing so many beautiful places - Sydney Harbour, The Rainforest at Daintree, Temples in Tokyo and Hong Kong. There are so many happy memories of kindness of the friends, family and strangers we met during the trip but best of all were the laughs, of which there were many.

Cablecar to Crater

We took a train, bus, boat, cablecar,funicular railway and fast train to visit this area of volcanic activity. The area is famous for it's natural hot springs and the many hotels in the area offer theraputic treatments in the springs.

Lake Ashi

On a clear day you could expect to see the reflection of Mount Fuji on the lake. The day we visited the area the mist was very heavy and low so there was only a quick glimpse of the much revered mountain.

Hakone

We took a self guided tour to Hakone, an area south west of Tokyo city. This building complex was the former checkpoint for travellers. The tall trees are cedars planted by an Emperor to give shelter from snow in Winter and from the sun in Summer.

Owakudani

Seeing volcanic activity up very close.

A rickshaw driver

Temple Procession

We took a cruise on the Sumida River to Asakusa. Here there is a huge temple complex surrounded by streets lined with stalls and shops selling souvenirs, kimonos,wigs and other elements of traditional dress. There are also lots of traditional speciality shops selling pastries and snacks.
This was an area where there were more glimpses of the old Japan. We were really fortunate to see a Procession which included Geishas playing musical instruments while being carried by men also wearing traditional costume.

Geisha

What does the future hold?

These girls were reading their fortunes at the Temple.

Senso Temple

This temple is part of a huge complex. The area was busy with worshippers, some of whom cleanse themeselves with a holy water, cast coins, pray and bow in gestures of respect.

5 storey Pagoda in Senso Temple

A traditional tea house

National Diet Building

This building houses the upper and lower houses of government of Japan.
The security around the area was very tight and our request to visit was turned down in no uncertain terms.

Tsukiji Central Fish Market, Tokyo

A very early start was well rewarded by the sights,sounds and smells of this amazing market.

Sushi breakfast

For a mere 50 pounds you could enjoy a sushi breakfast. One of the guidebooks said it was so fresh that it wriggled in your mouth. We passed on that one.

A colourful marketplace

Shell Fish

Fish Filleting

Fish Filleting

A side of Tuna

The finsihed product - Tuna for sushi

The fish is sliced with samurai-like precision into the thinnest of slices

Speedy delivery

The guys who drive these buggys moving fish around the market never heard of speed limits! You can just imagine how patient they were with the silly tourists trying to take photographs.

Fish Tails

SOLD

When the fish is sold it is removed on pallets loaded onto forklift truck like buggys which are driven at speed around the market. There were buyers from restuarants from around the world buying fish.

Tuna Auction

Checking quality before bidding.

Fresh Tuna

We managed to avoid the "market police" and slipped into the area where they were auctioning the fresh tuna. Eventually we were "ushered" into the Frozen Tuna Auction which was equally amazing. It's not unheard of for a single tuna to fetch an incredible 6 million pounds at auction.
While the auctioneer is yelling and shouting taking bids potential buyers walk between the rows of fish. They carry picks and torches (it's still quite dark) and they spear the flesh to check on it's quality.

Very early start

Betty May took this photo to PROVE the early start we had the morning we visited Tokyo's famous Tsukuiji Central Fish Market. I don't think she realised it would have been even earlier if the Metro has started any earler!!!
It's said that if it lives in the sea it's on sale here. About US$15.5 million worth of fish is sold here daily. There were acres and acres of fish being sold in the huge Tuna auction rooms and tiny stalls in a chaotic atmosphere.

A traditional Japanese style home

There are very few older buildings still standing in Tokyo due to the damage caused by earthquakes and WWII bombings. We were lucky to come accross some as we strolled off the main streets of the city.

Gate of Imperial Palace

This was as far as you could get to the Palace. The grounds are only open to the public on a couple of days a year. The lilly of the valley flowers were a real sign of Spring.

National Theatre

A beautiful modern building

Sunset

Cherry Blossoms

We were very lucky to catch the first flowers

Graduation Day

This girl was happy to pose for a photographn on her way to her University Graduation ceremony.

Cool Dude

While the trains and metro were teeming with "salarymen" always dressed in black suits, the streets seemed full of very fashionably dressed characters.

High fashion in Harajuku

This area was teeming with teenagers who put so much effort their "look" with great effect.

Harajuku girls

This was another quite unique area of the city, where the ultra trendy teenagers gather and shop.

Gate to Hie Shrine

The first shrine was built on this site in 1478 but the present site dates from 1659, although destroyed as was much of Tokyo in WWII bombings it was rebuilt in 1967.

Gate to Meiji Shrine

This is Tokyo's grandest Shinto shrine. The towering gate is made from cypress trees from Taiwan.

Whatever you've heard about Japanese loos...

It's all true. Talk about bells n whistles!

Tokyo at my feet!

We had crossed the city early in the morning and found our way without a problem despite it being rush-hour on the trains. It was interesting to see how the locals start their working day relatively late and finish late. The train and metro carriages are filled with business men all wearing black suits, carrying small laptop bags. Without exception all were either reading from small paperback books,all of which were covered with brownpaper covers, texting or sleeping. There were more women and teenagers travelling later in the day.