pianosupernova

Kobe...this is where I randomly came across this Bluegrass music bar by myself last year, and ended up making friends and remaining penpals with this guy called Kohei who worked behind the bar, and his Dad owned it! (Read about my discovery of it here - ) I thought it would be a good idea if I did a week homestay at his house with his parents above the bar (even though he was not there but at Uni) to experience Japanese life and improve my Japanese! Kelvin came with me to Kobe for the day. Luckily I was able to leave my beast of a suitcase in a locker at the train station... We did some sunbathing down by the port on some grass...finally we found a big grassy patch, we were so happy as ... read more

Last year I did not experience too much of the Tokyo nightlife...so this year, I aimed to see what Tokyo had to offer once the sun set... Night One Met up with my friend Yana from my Japanese class in London and two of her friends. Drinking first at an English pub, Kelvin and I were very much hoping that they served actual pints, which they did but at ridiculously expensive prices. The glass sizes for beer in Japan are so small...I think it may be about them not being able to handle as much alcohol? This is what my Japanese friend told me anyway. Still, it is not fair and completely rubbing it in when you get your beer with a massive head on it... Finished the night at a horror themed izakaya called the ... read more

It has felt really good visiting places that I went to last year, I like knowing my way around (roughly) and things feeling familiar...(Click this next link to read about my time in Kyoto last year! ) My three nights in Kyoto were extremely tiring. Hiring a bike everyday and cycling non stop certainly has had an effect! Although luckily I can sleep through most things...so the hideous snoring in my dormitory did not wake me up...I just had to put my headphones on and listen to The Geoff Show super loud to drown it out before I fell asleep! Day one, we cycled across the whole of Kyoto city to get to Kinkakuji Temple, which is the pretty golden one. It took us about an hour and a half to get there and I now ... read more

I am really sad about leaving Japan (yes, the title was a joke). I have had the most unbelievable 5 weeks and the end has just come around far too fast for my liking! My last week has been great though, spending time with all my lovely Nihon-jin tamatchi(Japanese friends). So, 2 days left in Tokyo Japan...what shall I do...go to Disneyland of course! As soon as you enter through those gates your life officially becomes worry free and Mickey Mouse is real... My favourite rides will always be Space Mountain (fast fast roller coaster in the dark amongst many stars) and It's A Small World (a very slow boat ride that takes you through the different cultures and countries in the world)...slight contrast I know... My last day in Japan was spent shopping and soaking ... read more

Now just incase I wasn't depressed enough from Hiroshima, I decided to go to Nagasaki...the second place to have an atomic bomb dropped on its innocent people. I chose not to go to the museum this time, and just to Nagasaki's Peace Park...no more upset Lucy please! Again I decided to go out in the evening in search of live music. The result of this one was good...found a place called Tin Pan Alley which had a live 7 piece cover band. Was great watching all the drunk business men have a boogie on the dance floor...arms were flying everywhere and they seemed to enjoy hugging each other all the time! After cycling around pretty much all of Nagasaki, I decided to change my cycling destination to Beppu. This town is very famous for its many ... read more