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Time to vote for April Image of the Month (IotM). All MobiTog members are eligible to vote. Voting ends May 7.
Thank you, Lisa.Wow...I can't believe three months have gone so quickly. I'm sure that's an understatement from your perspective!
I've thoroughly enjoyed every image you've posted. Thank you for sharing it all with us!!
Oh, those situations are beyond annoying!
HA!! Too cute!
Wow! That's pretty good! And I see droll little faces on the boxes.
(Edit: but not when you zoom in... just looking at them from my iPhone they look like this---> [emoji58])
Very interesting... not how I envisioned it either. Eek re jay walking... I'd be SO arrested.
YES. I've absolutely loved this thread.I've thoroughly enjoyed every image you've posted. Thank you for sharing it all with us!!
3 Apr
Day 3 in Japan
We took a tour out from Tokyo to Nikko to see a famous shrine there, the lake and a waterfall. The details on the shrines were beautiful. It started snowing when we were at the waterfall.
Day 3 in Japan
We took a tour out from Tokyo to Nikko to see a famous shrine there, the lake and a waterfall. The details on the shrines were beautiful. It started snowing when we were at the waterfall.
That's more like it isn't it. Gorgeous images. My friends love Japan and are going there this year and driving themselves around the country. And no, they don't speak/read Japanese.
I expect they'll have some tales to tell. Have you taken a communal bath yet?
4 Apr
Day 4 in Japan
We took the bullet train today to Takayama which was quite exciting. The change of driver and ticket officers looked a bit like the changing of the guard and the cleaning staff - pink for women and blue for men for this train station - looked like hospital orderlies with their watches pinned to their uniform. I was sorry afterwards that I didn't get a photo. Also the ticket officers bow as they enter and exit the carriages!
We had decided to give a trip to Mt Fuji a miss because we had such a tight schedule so we were over the moon when we looked out of the window and saw it. A freebie!
Takayama was full of surprises especially as coming in on the train it looked almost industrial. Firstly we discovered the Hida Takayama Museum of Art which had an exhibition of some of the finest glassware of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau period including some beautiful Lalique pieces.
Then the folk village at the top of the hill was well worth the hike.
Finally we got back to town as it was getting dark where I knew there were a couple of roads with old traditional Japanese houses. Oh dear the shops and houses looked fascinating but we were too late. That meant getting up early the next morning to have a wander before our 11.30am bus....
Day 4 in Japan
We took the bullet train today to Takayama which was quite exciting. The change of driver and ticket officers looked a bit like the changing of the guard and the cleaning staff - pink for women and blue for men for this train station - looked like hospital orderlies with their watches pinned to their uniform. I was sorry afterwards that I didn't get a photo. Also the ticket officers bow as they enter and exit the carriages!
We had decided to give a trip to Mt Fuji a miss because we had such a tight schedule so we were over the moon when we looked out of the window and saw it. A freebie!
Takayama was full of surprises especially as coming in on the train it looked almost industrial. Firstly we discovered the Hida Takayama Museum of Art which had an exhibition of some of the finest glassware of the Art Deco and Art Nouveau period including some beautiful Lalique pieces.
Then the folk village at the top of the hill was well worth the hike.
Finally we got back to town as it was getting dark where I knew there were a couple of roads with old traditional Japanese houses. Oh dear the shops and houses looked fascinating but we were too late. That meant getting up early the next morning to have a wander before our 11.30am bus....
5 Apr
Day 5 of Japan
We got up early to get into town. So much to see and so little time! Absolutely wonderful little shops selling traditional Japanese crafts and knick-knacks in traditional Japanese little shops. I wish we had had more time..
Day 5 of Japan
We got up early to get into town. So much to see and so little time! Absolutely wonderful little shops selling traditional Japanese crafts and knick-knacks in traditional Japanese little shops. I wish we had had more time..
- Real Name
- Lisa Waddell
- Device
More wonderful images, Ann! That is definitely a bonus that you got to see Mt. Fuji!
I have to say that I am still rather disappointed. Maybe my expectations were too high or also with everything looking so brown and dry perhaps not as pretty as it should be. Yes, there are pretty traditional houses here and there but newer houses are shapeless prefabs. Further south is getting better and tomorrow is Kyoto which people have told me is the best.That's more like it isn't it. Gorgeous images. My friends love Japan and are going there this year and driving themselves around the country. And no, they don't speak/read Japanese.
Some of the landscape we passed on the train was beautiful but so much industrial construction and ugly steel bridges. The photos nobody shows you.
What most of the towns look like
Takayama from the hill - honestly the best vista
I was keen to try the baths (onsens) but it's not Tom's thing and any spare time I have I try to catch up with correspondence.
Onsens, that's the word. I was trying to think of it. My friends are super conservative and prudish, so I was amazed when they said they'd taken a bath with others armed only with a towel the size of a flannel! I think they enjoyed Kyoto.
Wow...
All the beautiful and intricate carvings!
The countryside is really beautiful.... Mt. Fuji - incredible!! I see what you mean about those homes....quite bland.
Apr 6
Day 6
More Observations
Many tourists hire kimonos in Japan, especially Chinese and walk around taking selfies but actually not that many Japanese still wear kimonos except for special occasions. However we happened to be in Kanazawa during a 'tea ceremony convention' and much to our surprise there were Japanese ladies in kimonos everywhere!
We were also lucky to see 2 traditional brides.
Footwear is a modern plastic shoe and special socks separate the big toe from the other toes as seen in this bridal shot.
Day 6
More Observations
- The Japanese are extremely polite people (yes, I know I have said that before but they really are).
- Smoking is still big and restaurants still have smoking and non-smoking sections. Trains have smoking rooms which are also everywhere in airports, stations etc.
- So much vacuum packed and processed food! I wonder if the Japanese will maintain their longevity.
- Loos are clean and I love the warm seats! Public toilets often don't have a means of drying your hands so Japanese people carry pretty little flannels in their handbags to dry their hands. I have started doing the same and I think it is a great idea. No paper towel waste or hand dryers.
- The coffee has been pretty good wherever we have been.
- Beds are hard and one side of pillows have bean bag filling. The best thing I did was bring my own pillow!
- They certainly have lots of little things in their shops that you don't see anywhere else. Such a pity I have had so little time to shop.
Many tourists hire kimonos in Japan, especially Chinese and walk around taking selfies but actually not that many Japanese still wear kimonos except for special occasions. However we happened to be in Kanazawa during a 'tea ceremony convention' and much to our surprise there were Japanese ladies in kimonos everywhere!
We were also lucky to see 2 traditional brides.
Footwear is a modern plastic shoe and special socks separate the big toe from the other toes as seen in this bridal shot.
Public Smoking = Egads!!! 
That would be hard on me.
Warm loo seats?!? = Bliss!
I can imagine the interesting things in shops - I lived across the street from a really cool Japanese market called Mitsuwa, and used to love browsing around.
The wedding attire (and bride) is gorgeous!
That would be hard on me.Warm loo seats?!? = Bliss!
I can imagine the interesting things in shops - I lived across the street from a really cool Japanese market called Mitsuwa, and used to love browsing around.
The wedding attire (and bride) is gorgeous!
- Real Name
- Lisa Waddell
- Device
Another great collection of images and observations, Ann. The shot of the bride and groom is marvelous!
Super images Ann. But smoking? Who knew? I would never have guessed that the Japanese were big smokers. The bridal photo is a winner.
Apr 7
Day 7
Hiroshima: a sombre day
We didn't go through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum because of the crowds but I had read that the Children's Peace Memorial Hall was free and actually better because of the testimony of the victims. I was completely choked after going through there and that was enough for me. Stories of people's skin peeling off is just beyond horrifying. The worst is the world still hasn't learnt. Still a handful of powerful men unleash untold horrors on their subjects.
The A-bomb Dome. The bomb exploded 600ft in the air almost above this building. Everything around it was obliterated.
Before:
After
A weeping willow next to the Peace Memorial Park
Day 7
Hiroshima: a sombre day
We didn't go through the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum because of the crowds but I had read that the Children's Peace Memorial Hall was free and actually better because of the testimony of the victims. I was completely choked after going through there and that was enough for me. Stories of people's skin peeling off is just beyond horrifying. The worst is the world still hasn't learnt. Still a handful of powerful men unleash untold horrors on their subjects.
The A-bomb Dome. The bomb exploded 600ft in the air almost above this building. Everything around it was obliterated.
Before:
After
A weeping willow next to the Peace Memorial Park
Apr 8
Day 8
Kyoto: wow, the cherry blossoms are just sensational
Day 8
Kyoto: wow, the cherry blossoms are just sensational
It's amazing to me that anything was left standing. I also think that it was a brave decision to leave it as a memorial. What an experience Ann.
Apr 9
Day 9 in Kyoto
We took a morning tour to Nara which is just outside of Kyoto. The park and temple area have over 1000 sika deer. In the Shinto religion they believe that certain animals are God's messengers and it varies from place to place. So in Nara they believe the sika deer are the messengers. You are able to purchase special biscuits to feed the deer and they hassle you for them.
Me With one of the deer
Tourists dressed up in kimonos
Day 9 in Kyoto
We took a morning tour to Nara which is just outside of Kyoto. The park and temple area have over 1000 sika deer. In the Shinto religion they believe that certain animals are God's messengers and it varies from place to place. So in Nara they believe the sika deer are the messengers. You are able to purchase special biscuits to feed the deer and they hassle you for them.
Me With one of the deer
Tourists dressed up in kimonos
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It really was. The Japanese saw themselves as invincible and were not prepared to surrender under any circumstance. I think the atomic bomb was so devastating and so terrible that it completely changed the mindset of an entire country.
Oh my goodness, look how many there are (deer, not tourists). We have a herd of Sika deer that escaped from somewhere around here. On rare occasions I've seen one or two, but from very far off. They didn't hassle me for a biscuit. Wonderful images Ann. I like all the tourists in their kimonos.
Apr 10
Day 10 Changeover Day
We arrived in Hong Kong with a couple of hours to spare before going on to New Zealand. Our permanent residence had expired and we had to use the foreigners queue. It really struck us then that we were now foreigners. Interesting how it turns a switch in your brain and you immediately feel completely different. It felt so final.
Not many opportunities for pics. Here we are back in the taxi on the way back to the airport.
Day 10 Changeover Day
We arrived in Hong Kong with a couple of hours to spare before going on to New Zealand. Our permanent residence had expired and we had to use the foreigners queue. It really struck us then that we were now foreigners. Interesting how it turns a switch in your brain and you immediately feel completely different. It felt so final.
Not many opportunities for pics. Here we are back in the taxi on the way back to the airport.