Tokyo - Studio Ghibli

Ghibli Museum - Tokyo, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

One major thing on my list for Tokyo was a visit to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.
If you don't not know Studio Ghibli by name you might recognize a few of the movies it has made: My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, Arrietty (the Borrowers)... etc.

Tokyo Fashion's Night Out

Super hero poses! John and LP - Tokyo Fashion's Night Out, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

Tokyo was my last stop in Japan and I had a fabulous time there. That was in no small part due to these two people. They are John and LP whose room I rented while I was in Tokyo. They were the nicest hosts... taking me out the first night I arrived to Japan Fashion's Night Out. I had no clue this was going on - and amazingly it was down the road from the apartment.
That night I hung out with LP and John and their friends, some Korean musicians and a British guy. It was loads of fun. There was too much going on to whittle it down to a few shots so expand the post for a slideshow.

Osaka part 2

Night time - Osaka, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

Osaka is a fun town, but it was here I felt keenly that traveling alone has it's downsides. Osaka is a town best experienced at night - wandering though it's small busy streets, buying takoyaki and going to karaoke with friends.
I still had a fab time and next time I will bring along some company.

Glico man - Osaka, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima as whole was not the city I was expecting. It was so much fun. The people are friendly and talkative and very welcoming. In the peace park I was mobbed by adorable children in the peace park and asked some pretty difficult questions on world peace (in English) by them. [side note: I am now well prepped for the Miss Universe question round.] When I went out to have Hiroshima style okonomiyaki I was chatted to (in Japanese) by two locals who bought me whiskey and laughed at my appetite (at least I think that's what they were laughing at). 
I spent two day here wandering the city, getting lost and taking everything in.

On our way... again

Shinkansen to Tokyo, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

Gah! I've had a bit of an absence.. but I promise to get most of these last posts (Osaka, Hiroshima and Tokyo) done before I leave for my next adventure (August).

Miyajima: part 2

Itsukushima Shrine, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

My second day in Miyajima was glorious - sunshine and a very relaxed day exploring the side streets and temples.  The tide was high at noon and I got some amazing views of the "floating" temple and otorii

Miyajima's Otorii, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

Miyajima: part 1

Itsukushima Shrine - Miyajima, a photo by girl from finito on Flickr.

I will attempt to not be too fanatical when I talk about Miyajima. I must admit though it is one of the prettiest places in Japan (actually voted as one of 3 most scenic places in Japan). Miyajima is actually an island located just outside of Hiroshima.
The whole island is considered sacred so Itsukushima Shrine and it's torii gate were built over the water. When I first arrived it was low tide and everyone had wandered out onto the mud flats to take pictures.