Tokyo, November 2010...update

Back to Tokyo. All those photos (not all) that were in the Tokyo slide show that you may have missed if you weren't in attendance on that wonderful night.

Meiji Dori, where the fixie revival originated.

Hanae Mori Gallery, Roppongi Hills.

Lunch at the above...and below.

National Art Centre, they have no permanent
collection.

Traditional costume, sleep, mask, texting. 4 in 1.

'three, five, seven' day, Meiji Shrine.

Busking Butoh, Meiji Shrine.

Bit of old Nihonbashi.

The Director, Samuri Soaps, Kagurazaka.

Shinjuku

Homeless sleeping in a pedestrian tunnel, a rare sight, they 
keep them hidden. Everything was so neat.

Traditional Chinese Medicine 中医

Today I deviate from the trove of Japanese photos that I will return to, no doubt -- and focus on the Continent. Asia, that is.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners are doing wonders for me. (They are actually in Sydney, but authentic, just the same.)

They always make me feel welcome, but this was a surprise...
Then I learned it was Buddha's birthday, so all the ceremony
was not just for me. 

Buddha can't do everything -- occasionally Confucius turns up. 

Osaka

We didn't spend a lot of time in Osaka, mainly commuting to Koyasan and Nara.
This of course is the aquarium. Good but not fantastic. I expected more. 

Shibecha

Those elusive cranes, the whole reason for this excursion, 
and we saw them. Well these two, from the train.

Lunch on the return trip, eagerly anticipated.

Me, I'll be happy with a cigarette and a Manga.

Kushiro

Kushiro, over on the Pacific coast. Not quite as cold as the Sea of Japan
coast...they say! Excellent fishing here, which goes without saying.

Raw like sushi. Some Fugu here...

Ah blessed be thy sashimi and miso breakfast.
M~ said...Ah, there is a Buddha after all.

Otaru

Swim anyone?

Otaru's famous canal. Otaru was Hokkaido's first port.

A seaside paradise, no? This yacht was apparently
owned by a famous local entertainer, a crooner.

Let's have lunch here and get out of the cold.