Where haven’t I been?

Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Kobe, Nara, Osaka, Kumamoto, Yokohama, Hakone…blah, blah….I’ve been thirty times or more, and travelled a lot in the country.

I don’t think I could live there – it would be tough – but I love the country. I’ve yet to visit Hiroshima which I would love to do. Places I enjoyed most have been Fukuoka, Yokohama, Kobe and of course Tokyo. Fukuoka reminds me of Edinburgh – beautiful city, far enough from “the capital” to be comfortable with itself and not overshadowed, but small enough that you can know the city and feel a part of it. Yokohama, like port cities the world over, cosmopolitan, and wonderful food and atmosphere. Kobe, another port city, and again manageable size. Tokyo – one of the world’s great capitals. I don’t enjoy it as a city in the manner of New York or Paris, but as Blade Runner on speed it’s an unforgettable experience. Visiting there during the bubble time was an experience I’ll never forget – ostentation on that scale, for a young lad was a jaw dropping experience. Rolls Royces parked three deep along Ginza, all nighters in Roppongi bars, because taxis won’t pick up foreigners (they want salarymen, paying huge fares to the suburbs). Good times :-)

Kyoto I haven’t been for over 10 years. The temples were stunning, indeed ryoanji is one of my favourite places I have visited.

Were you thinking of visiting? I’d recommend it as one of the places to see. The closest to another planet without leaving earth.