January 17, 2020

Last full day in Japan. Was about at hour walk to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. It was very crowded the first little while but since I decided to walk the whole thing the crowds thinned out after a certain point. Further up the mountain there were great views of Kyoto!

Coming down from the mountain I had lunch at the Vermillion Cafe! Good times!

Funny story, I took the wrong bus. However, things worked out because when I got off the bus I was pretty close to an arcade! Played some Gitadora which is like Guitar Hero but seemed to be harder. I decided I wasn't good at buses so I walked all the way back to the ryokan and stopped in at the Kyoto National Museum for a little while since I was passing by.

Took in a variety of traditional Japanese art forms at Gion Corner. I even got to participate in a tea ceremony! After that it was time to head back to the ryokan, watch a little sumo, and go to sleep.

At this point I was finally ready to go home.

This is my day 31 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 16, 2020

From Kameoka I took the Hozugawa River Boat to Arashiyama! The ride finished right near the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

The bamboo forest in Arashiyama was so beautiful.

Pizza! Very tasty, would highly recommend.

Some pictures of the ryokan I stayed at in the Gion area of Kyoto. Very fancy!

The Yasaka Shrine! Didn't spend to much time here as I wanted to explore a little bit before dinner.

First of two kaiseki meals I had at the ryokan. Incredible meal! After stuffing my face I returned to my room to watch sumo on TV. Was pretty tired at this point of the trip due to lack of sleep.

The scenery for this day was incredible. I loved walking around the Gion area of Kyoto.

This is my day 30 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 15, 2020

Yoshiminedera temple! A beautiful temple built along a mountain side looking out onto Kyoto. There also weren't many people there at all so it was quite peaceful.

Went to an awesome sushi restaurant in Kameoka. I even won a prize on my first try!

Took a rainy stroll through a tiny village. Even got to eat dango and ice cream!

That sushi restaurant was super cool. I also loved strolling around Miyama Village in the rain!

This is my day 29 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 14, 2020

Arrived in Kameoka. First thing I did was get a drink at a convenience store. But the SECOND thing I did was go to a cafe to try pizza toast. It did not disappoint!

While in Kameoka I stayed at the fabulous Bishamon House! I would highly recommend the experience to all. The first night I was there we had a hot pot dinner that was super yummy!

After getting settled in Kameoka I went on a lovely walk seeing 5 out of the 7 lucky temples!

Another day, another place to explore! It seems very peaceful in Kameoka which is right outside of the more tourist filled Kyoto.

This is my day 28 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 13, 2020

My first DDT show was tons O' fun! Even got to talk to Chris Brookes for a little while! During the intermission I talked with what appeared to be the only other foreigner in the crowd. He was a photographer who said he had been to 27 wrestling shows in his six weeks in Japan. Things really heated up at the show when wrestling legend Cima arrived to beat up what is clearly a small child!

Went to my second Gundam Cafe!

Hey, I really wanted to try one of those Haro cocktails!

During my last night in town I went back to Osaka Castle to see the light displays!

Finding the building for the DDT show was a little confusing but I managed OK! Also went to a Book Off store and did some exploring.

This is my day 27 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 12, 2020

Spent the morning at Universal Studios Japan! I didn't have much on the schedule this particular day so why not? Ended up mostly doing rides I had already done at the Universal parks in Florida due to various circumstances but the park was a lot of fun. Nothing like going to a theme park alone as an adult!

MORE USJ!

Got to ride the Spiderman attraction which is one of my favourites. I also explored the Harry Potter area and got to see the Waterworld show!

Pictures taken from atop the Tempozan Ferris Wheel. Since this was located right next to the aquarium and there was plenty of time I figured it would be worth a ride!

Lots of fishy friends to meet at the (huge) Osaka Aquarium!

Before I went to the aquarium I got to play the Luigi's Mansion arcade game and some more Taiko Drum Master!

This is my day 26 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 11, 2020

Fresh takoyaki outside Osaka Castle! I think at this point I was pretty used to being in Japan, but everyday was still so great.

Found the cast of Detective Conan! I've never actually watched the show, but still!

Since 20th Century Boys is one of my favourite manga I really wanted to check out Osaka Expo Park. It was a little out of the way but totally worth the trip. Lots of cool gardens with plenty of children frolicking and families having picnics.

Unfortunately, I did not try Seattle's Best Coffee while in Japan.

Met a fellow Canadian who was doing a circus show. Got to chat with him after his performance. I hadn't been having too many long conversations in Osaka due to the language barrier!

After leaving Osaka Expo Park I noticed the giant Gundam statue and had to check out the cafe. I was very happy when I realized the music in the cafe was the intro themes of different Gundam shows, seemingly played in order of the show's release.

My very first Stardom show was fantastic! I also learned the secret of getting the most out of a joshi show. You simply befriend a Russian super-fan and he will show you how to do everything properly.

Back to Dotonbori for some ramen to end my day!

I got a lot of stuff in on this day including making a new friend!

This is my day 25 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 10, 2020

Breakfast at Tokyo Station then a snack to take on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka! I splurged a little bit and got a green car seat. Finding the right train was a little confusing, but a lovely couple made sure I found my way!

In Osaka I stayed at a hotel about a five minute walk from Dotonbori which was super cool, especially at night. One thing I really enjoyed was walking through the empty side streets instead of the super crowded main ones.

First thing I did after walking through Dotonbori was go to a kabuki play. I bought a ticket for the first act of the play (about 70 minutes). I was unsure what to do with my ticket and where to go initially, but I did know how to say "yes" in Japanese so that was my answer to everything. The outcome of this was me buying a small device that I think allowed you to listen to the play through headphones and maybe it gave background information? Who knows, it was all in Japanese.

These bananas covered in chocolate were normally 200 Yen, but when I got one they were on sale for only 100 Yen. Exciting!

First night in Osaka! I found a huge Tower Records store and managed to pick up a copy of the NJPW piano collection album. Also I ate some chicken.

Had a few drinks at the pro wrestling focused bar, Count 2.99. Pretty cool place with lots of wrestling figures and salty free snacks!

Said goodbye to my travelling partner today and headed to Osaka by myself. Luckily plenty of fun-times awaited me!

This is my day 24 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 9, 2020

It's my last full day in Tokyo so I'm going to explore Nakano Broadway. After experiencing my first okonomiyaki it was time to shop till I am smashed over the head with a light tube! Checked out some manga, lots of figures, blu-rays, and the Big Japan Pro Wrestling shop! Play some more rhythm games then check the time... huh, its been four hours!

After shopping in Nakano Broadway it was only a 45 minute walk to the Paraestra gym where Yuki Nakai was giving a seminar. When I arrived at the gym there was still around two hours until the seminar, so I decided to get some sushi because me not smart. I waited awkwardly outside the gym until somebody else went in for the seminar and then followed them in. In a strange twist I did not vomit from the previously eaten sushi! The introductory seminar covered some fundamentals + my beloved north-south choke! There was even one guy there that spoke English who I got to roll with.

Another full day in Tokyo that unfortunately was my last for this trip. No worries, there was more Japan to come!

This is my day 23 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

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January 8, 2020

A day-trip to Hakone! On the romance car! By myself...

But actually this was pretty awesome. Even the rain was cool because I brought my umbrella! Everything was beautiful here.

More cooking my own food! This time in Hakone!

Went to an onsen where tattoos are very much allowed! It was an amazing experience.

Went to check out the Hakone Open-Air Museum! Lots of cool artwork and it was fun taking what turned out to be the right bus back down the mountain. One of the few times in Japan I got on the correct bus!

Before heading back to Tokyo I got myself a caramel banana crepe! Very large and delish.

After returning to Shinjuku Station from Hakone it was time to get a maple snack and hit the arcades again (Taiko Drum Master 4 life)!

A rhythm game in which you play almost a full keyboard. Not for the faint of heart or the bad at piano!

Another great day. Hakone was beautiful in the rain.

This is my day 22 post for #100daystooffload

#japan

This work by Thomas Lloyd is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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