Japan003
Ok, so no entries for a while due to laziness and limited 'net access (though mainly laziness!)
Stayed at a the home of a couple of Shino's friends last week - Hackai and Yuko, who live out in a suburb area (Niiza City), so chilled out and mainly lived like a slacker rather than a tourist. :) Saw more shrines, popped into Tokyo City on several occasions to meet with Shinobu's friends over drinks and dinner, wandered around Ginza on my own for half a day, bought a few bits and bobs etc.
Rented a couple of bicycles for the week so cycled around the local area for a bit (as well as using the bikes to get to and from the rail station). Lots of very narrow streets - no wonder the trend here is for very slim, tall cars!
Experienced a small earth tremor too - only lasted around 10 seconds, but enough to shake the house and rattle the crockery and glasses. Fortunately wasn't the long overdue 'big one' that may hit sometime in the future.
Shinobu & I popped into a really dodgy 'Adult' superstore in the Akihabara area called 'Pop life Department M's' ( http://www.ms-online.co.jp ) - as well as all the usual sex toys, literature and video, they had quite a selection of 'cosplay' type outfits but geared toward the erotic end of the dressing up market. There was also a gallery of what I can only assume where photos sent in of customers in their newly acquired 'outfits' - many of which left very little to the imagination. Of particular interest was their range of products very simply and directly titled 'Hole' - I'm sure you can guess what function they served! Quite entertaining - I didn't buy anything I hasten to add!
Yesterday took a bullet train from Tokyo over to Nagano to stay with Shinobu's parents, who live a quieter life in the countryside. A little trepidation at meeting her parents, though unwarranted as they have both been very welcoming.
Spent this morning out walking, taking lots of photos of dragonflies and forested hillsides. I'll stick the better ones up on flickr at some point in the future.
Stayed at a the home of a couple of Shino's friends last week - Hackai and Yuko, who live out in a suburb area (Niiza City), so chilled out and mainly lived like a slacker rather than a tourist. :) Saw more shrines, popped into Tokyo City on several occasions to meet with Shinobu's friends over drinks and dinner, wandered around Ginza on my own for half a day, bought a few bits and bobs etc.
Rented a couple of bicycles for the week so cycled around the local area for a bit (as well as using the bikes to get to and from the rail station). Lots of very narrow streets - no wonder the trend here is for very slim, tall cars!
Experienced a small earth tremor too - only lasted around 10 seconds, but enough to shake the house and rattle the crockery and glasses. Fortunately wasn't the long overdue 'big one' that may hit sometime in the future.
Shinobu & I popped into a really dodgy 'Adult' superstore in the Akihabara area called 'Pop life Department M's' ( http://www.ms-online.co.jp ) - as well as all the usual sex toys, literature and video, they had quite a selection of 'cosplay' type outfits but geared toward the erotic end of the dressing up market. There was also a gallery of what I can only assume where photos sent in of customers in their newly acquired 'outfits' - many of which left very little to the imagination. Of particular interest was their range of products very simply and directly titled 'Hole' - I'm sure you can guess what function they served! Quite entertaining - I didn't buy anything I hasten to add!
Yesterday took a bullet train from Tokyo over to Nagano to stay with Shinobu's parents, who live a quieter life in the countryside. A little trepidation at meeting her parents, though unwarranted as they have both been very welcoming.
Spent this morning out walking, taking lots of photos of dragonflies and forested hillsides. I'll stick the better ones up on flickr at some point in the future.