day 4 - tokyo to kyoto

We arrived at Tokyo station at 10.10am to catch the 10.33 train to Kyoto.  We were surprised that we were 23 in line to get into a carriage that held our estimate of 90 seats.  We all scrambled on when the man said we could and all grabbed window seats.  Within minutes the carriage was full of cigarette smoke.

We moved to the next carriage and grabbed what seats we could. 

I got the window seat and the girls spent most of the trip braiding each others hair and giving massages.

We were so lucky to see Mt Fuji from the train on our way out of Tokyo.  The weather was just perfect for viewing, as apparently it is usually hidden by cloud. I also think we are lucky that Clive got this shot, considering the train was travelling at approximately 250kms.

The girls managed to befriend some local chaps to play cards with them.  Conveniently the chairs turn around to make this much easier.  The girls were trying to turn around the seat from Jeffrey's row so he could talk to me in the row behind.  Only problem was there was a man sitting in Jeffrey's row and he had just left his seat to get a meal and would have been surprised upon his return.

Some cool dude having a bit of quiet time. 

Paul reading and Jack catching up on some Pokemon.

What an amazing sight. Just a 100km's out of Kyoto it was snowing.  When we arrived in Kyoto it was still falling quite heavily.  It had only started in the morning and they had already received half of what they normally get in an average winter.

First dinner in kyoto was a traditional noodle house where we all sat on the floor.

I think everyone enjoys the food in Japan.

Andrew had to coax Sam into smiling for the camera.

We are all in traditional rooms in a lovely Ryokan close to the temples.

Outside the Heian Shrine about 10pm. A huge Shrine with 5 acres of gardens which we will go back to explore. This is just around the corner from our accommodation.

Here we are cleansing our hands before we enter the shrine to pray. As you could imagine the water is very cold and it is an effort to take off your gloves.

The Shrine was still relatively quiet when we were there. The idea is that you visit the shrine after midnight or sometime over the next three days to welcome in the New Year.

This photo is of the huge bell at Chion-in Temple which we walked to after the Heian Shrine. You really should do this in the opposite order. But we figure we will be visiting alot of shrines and temples over the next few days.  With a huge amount of luck we managed to get to the front of the line that went on for kilometres to make it up through the grounds and up the steps to be standing in front of the bell for the stroke of midnight! You probably saw us on the news, as this is the famous bell ringing ceremony that is televised around the world on NY Eve. 

Andrew and Ally having a little NY cuddle in Kyoto.

This is a shot of the actual bell ringing ceremony.  The monks swing the big log while chanting and then make it gong into the bell 108 times (buddhist sins). The last one obviously on stroke of midnight.  Absolutely amazing to isten to listen to. We felt very priveleged to be there and will probably never forget this New Years Eve.

Even though the snow had stopped falling by the time we went out, it was still extremely cold. Most of us wore our ski gear out, which helped.  This brazier on the way home helped warm our hands for a bit.

Ally and Claire sitting with some miniature snow men, on the walk back through the grounds of the temple.

day 3 - tokyo

Brekkie at Villa Fontaine Otemachi.

A sample breakfast is set up each day for foreigners.

This is our way down to the fish markets.

Took out extra insurance for skiing but we should have got it for Tsukiji fish markets. . .narrowly avoided huge crowd, speeding delivery carts and pimped out trucks!

This poor (clam) shucker is hunched over from many years of happy shucking!

We knew they were hiding it somewhere, whale bacon. 

Slabs of frozen swordfish ready to be cut with a chain saw.  

The asian series of 'Pimp My Ride'. This is the front of a truck transporting fish to the markets.

'Paur' opens the wardrobe to a new wonderland, but alas he finds yet more Ningas, 'Jaku' and 'Wirrim'

Squish the girls : (

This is the home of Asahi beer. The building on the left resembles a glass of beer with froth on top!

The building on the right is the beer hall, designed by Phillipe Starck

Another photo opportunity.

Large lantern at entrance of the temple.

Crowded street selling sourvenirs on the way to the temple.

Japanes donut - best way to describe them.  Yummy

Senso-Ji Temple. Originally built in 628.

Ally is drawing the insence towards her to heal her sore feet from walking so much! Justine also did a breast.

Flags for new year amongst the gardens at the temple.

Ally and Jeffrey enjoying sweet potato chips from a street vendor.

Row of old shops at Asakusa.  We also spotted a lady wearing kimono in a tea shop.

Craire and Ari are Ningas hiding behind a tree!

Jeffrey and 'Crive' fancy themsleves as rainbow groomsmen. Attempting to match suits with eye colour. Note: shop keeper in background with agitated disposition!

RAHH!!! Ningas are back hitting the streets of Asakusa (Oldest suburbs of Tokyo). . . to be continued . . .

day 2 - tokyo

Introducing our group of 12 -

Back Row: Will Callum, Paul Callum, Clive Gaunt, Jack Callum, Justine Young, Andrew Coombs, Sam Gaunt, Verena Coombs and Jeffrey Coombs

Front Row: Lee Callum, Ally Coombs and Claire Gaunt

First stop for the morning, Outside the Imperial Palace Gates. Yes outside! The gardens are closed until 3 January. We will come back later in the month.

Hibiya Park - A lovely display of large bonsai trees.

The famous Nijubashi Bridge next to the Imperial Palace. Apparently, the most photographed bridge in the world.

Paul, Lee and Verena making alterations to our itinerary on the fly, now that the Palace Gardens are closed.

A government worker had just scooped rubbish from the moat outside the Palace and fed the swans. We are watching the massive carp fish beat the swans and ducks to the pellets.

First family photo with the Nijubashi Bridge and Fushimi Tower as backdrop. Let me introduce you to the man on the right...Jeffrey!  You probably remember him as the hired help from our Europe Trip.

Just some randoms we came across shooting a Levi's advertisement.

Not the best shot of Jeffrey's photos of a shogun warrior in Hibiya Park. The birds had made a lovely nest in the flowing hair or his tale. 

Very interesting mix of building architecture in the city. This one is a lower arcade of shops connecting entry to the large tower behind.

Internal level of the Tokyo International Forum (convention and exhibition centre). An architectural wonder the same age as Ally. Outside there were already queues for a late afternoon concert.

Claire and Ally with Seiko (as in the watch), the information attendant at the Tokyo International Forum. Seiko was just beautiful and very helpful.  Even called ahead to check the Sony Building was open for us and gave us directions.

High tapering trajectory or glass and steel, aptly named the "Glass Hall". Cantilevered skywalks are amazing.

Up on Level 7 where we could look down on Tokyo Station and watch the bullet trains arrive at the platforms.

Andy resting with the Bundy Bear in the foyer of the Sony Building.  Everyone had a fun time here trying out all the new Sony products over eight floors.  The favourite was the camera that automatically shoots when you smile. 

Justine and Claire having Mummy and Daughter time.

Up until we arrived at the famous scramble crossing at Shibuya we were commenting on how quiet Tokyo is! Electronic billboards, loud music and lots of shops.  We made a meeting point on the other side of the intersection just in case all 12 didn't make it together.

Note Paul is pointing to where this meeting point is and Claire is confirming she understands the instruction.

Did we tell you Jack locked the keys in the boot of the car when loading the luggage in Brisbane on the day of departure? Well, the lovely beanie he is wearing in this photo didn't make it home with Jack last night.

You can probably just make out Ally, Claire and I watching the chef make pork buns in a restaurant in Shibuya.

Make sure you think of us while you are eating your rockmelons at home.  I guess we won't be having any here! Approximately $250 each.

While some of the group opted for lunch at a restaurant. Clive, Jeffrey, Claire, Ally, Andrew and I decided to dine at the food hall at the bottom of the department store. We had a lovely selection of sushi, tempura, beautiful salads and icecream for about $5 each.

The idea is you just go around and make your selections from the many displays and counters and pay on the way out. The lockers shown here are refrigerated so you can shop and pick up your food at the end of the day.

Peter, what do you think of these crab claws?

The seafood is just amazing, and reasonably priced. We are in heaven!

We then walked a good half an hour to the Meiji Shrine in Yorogi Park. Shown here is the entry gate.

Justine managed to arrange a personal guide to get us here from the main shopping area. Cooma and Giro walked with us after Justine accosted them at an intersection.

Lantern at the entry to the Shrine buildings.

The Shrine was being decorated and set up for the masses of people who visit a shrine on New Years Eve to celebrating the arrival of the New Year.

Ally and I looking at Votive Tablets that have been hung on boards by students petitioning for divine help in passing exams.

The famous Takeshita-Dori. A very long, skinny street packed with garish boutiques selling costumes and clothes for Japan's extreme youth.  You see some amazing sights.  Kids wandered along and after a while the adults found a coffee shop and engaged in people watching.

Sam, Claire, Andrew and Ally posing with one of the "Victorian" dressed girls that hang/shop around this street.  Not only a lot of effort is put into the clothes, but the makeup is detailed, right down to amazing contact lenses.

The man on the left of me kept us all amused on the 23 minute metro trip back to Tokyo Station on our way home.  He did not move once while holding his mobile phone open in his hand the whole time.  What you can't see here is the dribble coming out of his mouth. Jeffrey thinks he was talking to his mother-in-law.

We ended the day at the cute little restaurant opposite our hotel. The staff did not speak English at all, but we managed to get very nice meals. A couple of Kirins to help us relax.