Mt Yarigatake

Had a great day exploring Kyoto viewing some spectacular temples and later visiting the Geisha district. Also part of the huge shopping arcade with a vast array of mostly unidentified food.

From here to a small town in the hills where we stayed at a "Ryokan" - a traditional Japanese inn which was beautifully preserved. After a traditional Japanese bath we dressed in the standard dressing gowns provided to sit down (on the floor - on tatami mats) for an excellent meal.

Mt Yarigatake is known as the "Japanese Matterhorn". A spectacular peak with a good scramble to the final summit. We split the ascent into two stages, staying at mountain huts. Quite smart places compared to Europe and the second one was huge; apparently it can take 700 people!

Unfortunately the weather was not too kind so

we did not see much on upper half of the

mountain so the photo shown is of a poster

in the street of a local town.

Just arrived in Fujiyoshida and hope for an ascent of Mt Fuji in next few days. However a typhoon threatens so this may be delayed a day.

Kyoto (and Tokyo)

Had a good flight to Tokyo and spent Sunday afternoon sightseeing. Such a huge place and hard to know where to start but got a feel for the high-rise part of the city and some of the smaller shopping streets in the Shinjuku district.

After a long sleep took a late morning bullet train ("Shinkansen") for the 450km journey to Kyoto, taking 2 hours 20 mins. That afternoon and today sight-seeing in Kyoto. This is an old city with lots of interest. There are a huge number of temples and gardens so I've hardly scratched the surface.

Round the World

Just starting my round the world trip. Shortly departing for Tokyo so looking forward to a major change in culture.