Japan Shibuya

Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture, and its streets are the birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends.

 Shibuya crossing

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 Whoops here they come, Off-Peak mayhem.

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 The statue of a loyal ‘Akita’ dog named Hachiko. According to the famous story, the dog walked to the station with his owner, then went home himself and then returned and waited in front of Shibuya Station each afternoon. The dogs owner passed away while he was at work and never returned but Hachiko continued to go to the station every day for 11 years, waiting for his master to return, until Hachiko also died of old age.

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 Shibuya Tourist information.

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 The largest crossing on the globe apparently.

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 Shibuya shopping.

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Mega Don Quijote (Donki for short), a 100 Yen stop. Like our $2 shops but much better.
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Beer! 500ml cans $2.50 each

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Japan Akihabara

Akihabara is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops the centre of Japan's ‘otaku’ (gamer nerd) culture, with many shops devoted to anime and manga. Here is where you find Maid cafes which are cosplay themed restaurants where guests are served by waitresses that are typically dressed as French maids. In addition to serving food arranged to look like cute bears, the maids engage in conversation and games with the customers and address them as 'Master'

Catching the train from Shinjuku to Akihabara

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 This is Off-Peak

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 You can buy anything computer or game related here, new and second hand.

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Keeping the peace.

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Come to my maid cafe 'Master' no pictures please . . . OK

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 Gambling is illegal in Japan, but you can play slots for tokens which you can exchange for gifts, like a Pikachu or Panda fluffy toy.

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 Stuff

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Ramen soup shop.

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Ramen, I wish it was winter for this.

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Japan Shinjuku

Yep, taken pictures of my food. 

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 Yes they have seats that are ONLY for playing Pokemon Go. Notice the guard!

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 Gachapon (ガチャポン) are a variety of vending machine dispensed capsule toys popular in Japan, and are everywhere.

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 Vending machines are all over, tens of them in every street and alley. Hot and cold drinks for a $1 or so.

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 Pika Pika Chooooo is everywhere.

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 Shinjuku street with bars and restaurants.

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Japan Buddhist Temple Tour

Goshuin are temple stamps which are written and stamped by a monk in a special book, the GoShuincho, when visiting a Buddhist temple to show your proof of your visitation. 

The Goshuin is not the same from the tourist stamps you can get at tourist attractions and rail stations around Japan. The Goshuin is a religious gift.

The handwritten calligraphy, which specifies the name of the temple, the date of visit and a small prayer distinct to the place where you got the Goshuin from.

First though, on entering the temple at the purification fountain near the shrine's entrance, you take one of the ladles provided, fill it with fresh water and rinse both hands, left then right. You then transfer some water into your cupped hand and rinse your mouth and spit the water beside the fountain. Then tip the remaining water down the handle by holding it vertical to cleanse it. Now you can enter the temple. Pay respects and gask for a Goshuin. They do not always give them, so you have to request one.

My first stamp and calligraphy from the Joenji temple in Shinjuku Tokyo.

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 My GoShuincho

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A special day when relatives burn sticks, incense and put plants on graves to stop the ghosts coming out.

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Pork and Venison Kransky

Harvested free range organic pork and venison becomes . . . .

Smoked Kransky and Cheese Smoked Kransky.

See previous post HERE.

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Wild Pigs on Trail Cam

Becomes

Next . . .  Kranky sausages