29th & 30th May - 26c Humid

Today we went to Kamakura which has about 70 different shrines and/or temples. The train takes about an hour from Philip`s place then we hopped on a bus to see Dai Butsu (Big Buddha). This is a huge bronze statue of Amita Buddha which was cast in 1252 AD and is 13.35 metres tall and weighs 121 tons, in other words it is BIG. After catching the bus back to the train station we walked to Hachimangu Shrine (Shinto shrine) which had very steep steps leading up to it, was a little puffed by the time we got to the top. We also visited the Hokaji Temple which was a lot smaller than the shrine but far more fascinating and spiritual.

On the way back we called at Yokohama (Minato Mirai {futuristic Port}) which has the tallest building in Japan the Landmark Tower. We watched the sunset there and got some great photos of the skyscrapers and ferris wheel with the lights coming on as darkness descended.

Returned to Jiyugaoka (Philip`s place) and met up with his boss Kenya and wife Emi for dinner in an Izaekaya restaurant which had everything in Japanese including signs for toilets which caused John a problem needing assistance from Philip to direct him. Had really good night plenty of Japanese food and rice wine.

After a late start today due to the rice wine and Japanese Vodka we headed off to Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens which were very beautiful. Had a picnic lunch (Subway for Philip & me) Omurice for John who seems to have really taken to the food here. Very humid as we walk around garden. Later we head off to the Imperial Palace Gardens and Niju Bridge which Philip assured us wasn`t far. Checked the distance on Google Earth tonight and it was only 4.7km walk in the humidity, but well worth the aching backs. The stone walls of the old Edo Castle and moat around the walls were amazing to see.

Back to Philip`s and he cooked tea - well the rice and went to take away to get the mixture of vegetables to go with it.

I don`t expect to be able to ramble on like this in the future as currently I am on a freebee network connection. Flying out to London tomorrow will catch you all later.