Went up to Hakone on the weekend to see a friend. Fantastic views.

Went to Minō Park today. I lived in Minō over thirty years ago. Used to go up to the falls all the time - especially on hot summer evenings.

A not-quite-average Sunday in the neighbourhood yesterday.

While on vacation, all food is magically calorie-free, just as all wines, beers and spirits are alcohol-free. Hence, truffle cake washed down with wine is a perfectly sensible breakfast.
Sure, continental Europe causes me to gain on average a kilo per week, but this is mere coincidence.

The formerly traffic-choked Midosuji-dori is now a wide pedestrian-friendly boulevard lined with tony shops.

Went downtown Ōsaka to celebrate a birthday. We went walkabout after dinner. Ten years ago, Ōsaka had next to no tourists. Now, the Dotonbori area is packed with tourists.

I uploaded this meme to ChatGPT and asked it to check the veracity of its claims. Only the Danish purchase of the French-Italian weapons system over US Patriot system proved wholly factual according to ChatGPT.

Went to Peacock Alley, in the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka tonight. At ¥2,000 for a lemonade, let’s just say I won’t be a regular, but for a very special occasion, it’s definitely the place to be.

Various shots of #Kobe Port Tower that I’ve taken recently.

It was Bon Odori down at Meriken Park last night.

Thank you! I’m happy to read this. After all, the main purpose of this account is to introduce people to the finer points of Japan. 😊

Finished our tour as the temple was closing. Got a brief bus ride down to Maruyama Park! From there, a city bus down Shijo, back to the hotel and the Hankyu then Hanshin trains home.

More pictures of the garden.

Paid the 400 yen admission to the garden, which was spectacular.

We wandered over to Chionin, just to the north of Maruyama Park. Despite walking through Maruyama Park countless times, this was the first time in 36 years in Japan that we had visited Chionin.

Monday, the other three went home at noon, the remaining two of us went walk-about. Been here dozens of times, but seldom this early in the day.

Three of our party split off to go to the covered shopping arcades. Two soldiered on, visiting Nishi-Hongan Temple and Higashi-Hongan Temple.

Rained all day Sunday, quite heavy at times. Pictures not allowed inside Nijo Castle.

Of course we took pictures with the Hieizan sign.

By the time we got there, the World Heritage Enryaku Temple complex was closed, but a garden atop the mountain was open. It was a bit too hazy to enjoy the view.

It’s just 73.4 km from Kobe’s Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station, but we booked a hotel for a two-night, three day visit to Kyoto last weekend. After dumping our bags, the first stop was Mt. Hiei. Underground to train to one-carriage train to cable car to ropeway to the top.

Very different stroll location Wednesday evening. This time, the Sumiyoshi River.

Out for a walk at Kobe Harbour Tuesday evening.

Out at Grand Front in Umeda, Osaka this evening.

Still more photos around Shinsekai.

More photos at Shinsekai, near Tennoji, Osaka.

Restaurants at Shinsekai, near Tennoji, Osaka.

A friend came down from Yokohama for Osaka Expo. We went to Shinsekai for kushikatsu. I played tourist, taking a photo or three.

Mt. Shosha.

Views of Engyo-ji at Mt. Shosha.