The Young Visiters

The first pioneers from the West make the treacherous journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.

But they're no match for this giant chicken at the Manga Museum:


What's the kanji for "Oreo"?


You're still there, guys? Guys?


In Gion, Geisha-ville.


Elise provides a lesson on how to wear pattern

(With acknowledgement to Maeby Funke, Arrested Development)

The saviours of modern music (Part 2)

Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world...


What do you do for money, honey, how do you get your kicks?


When I wake up, in my make up, it's too early for that dress....


And all that's left, is the proof that love's not only blind but deaf.

The saviours of modern music (Part 1)

Kar and Elise let rip at karaoke.

What's with these homies dissing my girl?


Sarah from the Labyrinth makes a guest appearance



Do they have any Kanye?



I could have another you in a minute!



In The End, it doesn't even matter

Bamboo forest, Arashiyama

If they remade the Wizard of Oz in Japan (please, Tim Burton, restrain yourself), it would be in this peaceful eastern district of Kyoto.





Pandas of a sensitive nature, look away now.

Kinkaku-ji

This tasteful reconstruction of the Golden Temple was built in 1950, after an obsessive monk decided to consume his lust for the pavilion by burning it to the ground.



Admit it, it would probably look really good on fire. If that kind of thing is your bag.



The temple is set on Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond).

Shitenno-ji, Osaka

Japan's first Buddhist temple.

I climbed all the way to the top of this sucker and found the door to the roof locked. Bitter.


Where's Wally?


Origami wreaths outside a shrine


Futuristic Isshin-ji temple

Salon du Chocolat

JapChoc is rank. So thank Crunchie for the international Salon du Chocolat travelling roadshow, late of Paris, New York, Moscow and Shanghai. For one glorious fortnight, an entire floor of the Isetan department store has been taken over by gourmet chocolate vendors.

100% French, and not a red bean sticky rice cake in sight.

Dinnertime!


Some stalls were a lot less forthcoming than others with their free samples, but I can be very persuasive.



Glittery swirly planet truffles (plus Pluto)



Macaron towers compete for my attention



I sampled the Lavender, Cheesecake and Bananachoc varieties. The silver-glittered Cheesecake flavour was the runaway favourite.



Animal chocs





Other delights included chocolate flavoured with earl grey tea (interesting), white chocolate with mango (delectable), blueberry choc (didn't work) and perfectly crafted dark chocolate frogs. I developed quite a taste for sweet truffles dusted with incredibly bitter bright green matcha - Japanese powdered green tea.

I had a lovely day. I shall be back on Monday, in a wig and dark glasses.