Second day the four of us decided to hit a few locale's... first up was Shibuya. The crowds here never get old! They checked out the massive CD/DVD/Book shop right at the main intersection, and I grabbed a coffee and scone from the Starbucks inside (ya I'm weak for Starbucks...) From there we hit the 109-2 building, the "mens" fashion tower but only about half is men's, rest is women's (109-1 is ALL women's) After making through the Hello Kitty and Barbie shops we checked out the psychotic fashions that are all the rage in Japan these days. Rod took some good pics I'll have to steal some from him. Pablo picked up a shirt and after grabbing lunch we hit the 109-1 building, where Yoshiko managed to find something she liked too (and on sale!) ... read more

And so it seems I am unable to escape the allure of Japan... not even a year after my previous trip I find myself back in Tokyo, back in Kangetsu Ryokan, enjoying the sites and sounds. Of course an insanely cheap price of $400 CAD for airfare MIGHT have had something to do with my desire to return.. and this time I'm not alone. For the first week here a good friend of mine Rod has joined up for his first trip to Tokyo. And so far it has been VERY eventful. Since I'm only here two weeks I wasn't originally going to blog about it, but events have transpired that are too long to tweet or Facebook about. Enough with the introduction... The trip to Tokyo was a bit different then usual. Flying with NWA ... read more

So after checking out the temples, shrines, the fashionable bits of Tokyo, it was time to go for something a bit different... the Tokyo Game Show, 2008. It pretty much is exactlly what it sounds like. Essentially it's a trade show where all of the big video game companies like Sony and Microsoft show off their latest and greatest. Unlike others like the American version, this one is open to the public for 2 of the days. How could I pass that up? Getting there wasn't too hard, although being on the same train that goes to Tokyo Disney Land, on a long weekend over here, made for a packed train. The facility where they house it is huge very nice area with lots of high end hotels. Once going through the line, security, I was ... read more

Well I can honestly say that Nagoya is probably going to be the highlight of my entire trip. Yoriko-san and I traveled to the Inuyama area, about 1.5 hours by train. After arriving there we grabbed lunch and checked out the Shinto Shrine there, Atsusa Jinja. It's a very important Shinto Shrine, dating back to the 3rd century I think. Back in ancient times this would be a destination for people on a spiritual journey. After that had some traditional Japanese sweets at a nice little traditionally styled area, then headed back. That evening went to an aussie bar, nice quiet little place. Ran into a guy that is doing a documentary for the Discovery Channel for a really cool production of Romeo and Juliet.. this production has been years in the making as Romeo is ... read more

Kobe turned out to be a really wonderful little city. Some might recognize the name from the 1995 Earthquake here that killed about 6000 people. Since then it's been rebuilt and it definitely feels nicer then an older Japanese city. Wide room streets and walkways and a very cosmopolitan atmosphere makes this a lot nicer I think then Osaka was. Lot's of parks and a nice memorial to the Earthquake is here as well. I'm staying a place called Kobe Dears Guesthouse, on the way over a white guy I assumed was another guest here stopped on his small scooter and helped with directions, it's a bit out of the way but they had great signage.. anyways turns out he actually runs the hostel, pretty odd seeing a white guy running ANYTHING around here. He's married ... read more