Why pay?

People the world over take a cheeky read of magazines without paying for them (or at least they did, before the world went digital). But, as is typical, the Japanese take it to new extremes. These same guys were stood there on the way to and from our hour-long lunch.

Dogs of Japan

This could/ should be a blog all of its own. Enjoy...

The dog whisperer.

Super-hero dog.

(Photo credit on the legendary 'Prince of Shibuya' below goes to my friend, Alex Goodchild)

Stripes are obviously a canine trend this season:

Photo credit on perhaps the strangest one of the bunch goes to my colleague, Saya:

Salaryman central

This is what it looks like on the streets of Tokyo's business districts. Picture courtesy of my colleague, Cuyler.

Discovering an ancient Buddhist monastery, hidden away in the woods

Here are some pictures from my visit to Koya-san, a tiny ancient Buddhist town, hidden in the woods a couple of hours from Osaka.

The extremely steep cable car that took us up the mountain. 

Making friends... 

Apart from the monks, nobody else was rocking flip flops/jandals/thongs (delete as appropriate). Trust the Englishman.

A trip to Osaka Castle

Train geeks (checking out the Bullet Train)

I've been on the Bullet Train (or 'Shinkansen') before, but it always seems a little less geeky taking pictures when you're with someone else.

Kamakura: Round Two

Pictures from my second visit to Kamakura.

The inside of one of the shrines, complete with intricate ceiling design. 

The smallest beer can I've ever seen.