Mt Fuji.

The challenge ahead to climb and reach the summit!

Everyone needs a Mt Fuji stick when they climb Fuji, especially one with a bell on the end to tinkle your way up!

Stamps that i collected on my stick at different points of the climb!

The guy stamp branding my stick :)

Top of Mt Fuji Sunrise 3776 Metres up!

Above the clouds...just out of this world.

One of the overnight huts above cloud

On the way down 6am

beds on Fuji if you need a night time kip in the huts!

On the way down of Mt. Fuji, you can see the volcanic rock quite clear here.

Everyone puffed out at the bottom, we arrive back down to a hazy damp mist a little spooky but a fantastic climb!!

Gangster rap dog, I must say this doggy wins hands down out of all the fashion doggys i have witnessed, brilliant!























Doggy Backpack, to carry his own supply of treaties and bags.
Our English hounds could learn a thing or two from these Japanese Dogs.

Shibuya

Omotesando Hills

Shibuya's Scramble Crossing, at night time gives you the full effect of the lights, the sheer scale of this place and the amazing turn over of busy bodied people that cross at a time. Crossing in the middle of the 'scramble' is exhilarating. I loved watching it and being caught up in it!

Day out at a quirky park which had flavoured baths; Green Tea bath, Red wine bath, Coffee bath and a Saki bath, each bath is good for different parts of the body and skin with real tea, coffee beans, wine and saki being poured in.

A very relaxing On-sen (Japanese hot spring) which left me feeling extremely serene and refreshed.

A very intimate little cafe renowned for its puddings, hidden away on the side of a train track. I was very fortunate to be taken there otherwise it would still be unknown to me.

Anmitsu; ice cream, fruit, syrup and a good helping of anko (sweet azuki red bean paste), sprinkled with beans and sweet mochi (rice cake pounded into a paste). This is a Japanese speciality pudding great with an accompaniment of iced green tea, lush!

Squid stall at a festival, whole body or just legs

Squid legs on a stick, chargrilled in teriyaki sauce, chewy but incredibly tasty!

Veggy Ramen at my local, where you can always expect to get a bowl of this warming broth bigger than your head for pennies.

Tempura Soba Lunch, amazing flavours.

Making our own okonomiyaki with different ingredients of seafood, veg and spices, fresh and lush!

Amazing spread that i arrived to at my friends family home. Large plate of Sashimi.

Making our own sushi rolls.

Unagi Sushi; Eel (my ultimate fav)

Clean Plates!!!

Favourite Lunch/Dinner. Watch the skill and speed these Sushi Chefs work.

Band Practice; absolutely amazing to watch all in sync with rhythm and moves, extremely accomplished for five-year olds. Check out the little conductor at the front!

Early morning exercises, music, singing and the moves. Stimultes the mind and body, ready for a day at school.

Panda Bus: My favourite mode of transport for the children to get to and from school. Ride to school in style!

I arrive to school
to an unexpected present....................

....semi bug.

Semi Bug; The official summer insect of Japan (cicada). A favourite to be collected by the children.

They live seven years underground and then crawl up to earth leaving their hard shell behind. Looking for a partner they climb the trees and sing.

The beautiful sound of millions of semi's singing is a sign of a real Japanese summers day. Although they have no sense of direction so occasioanly you get a wack on the head from one. They then mate and die all within one week!

Traditional sliding door classroom, leave your shoes on the green matting before entering the classroom.

Slide from first floor to ground floor, school couldn't get much more fun inbetween lessons

Kindergarten playground, no grass always concrete but fantastic equipment to play on.

The Golden Temple surrounded by water in Kyoto, a sentational setting.

Traditional Japanese Breakfast, an amazing start to the day while staying in a Ryokan style inn in Kyoto.

All served in my room, futons are removed and replaced with this fantastic spread!

Two celebs in Japan well known for television appearances that i came across while at Fuji Theme Park, I just couldn't resist the photograph.