Koda Kumi Live In Concert

1st December, 2007

We traveled to Tokyo once again but this time our purpose was to see Koda Kumi (a Japanese pop singer) live in concert. Lauren and I caught the overnight bus while Steve and Marie took the shinkansen. Lauren and I arrived at 7 in the morning which gave us enough time to shower, have breakfast do some shopping before we had to meet the others.

Once we had a quick look around Shinjuku we got ready and headed towards the Tokyo Dome. We really wanted to buy t-shirts this time and didn’t want to miss out so we arrived nice and early.

The dome

When we arrived we discovered that there was a shopping complex next to the Tokyo Dome. There was also a mini side show area which contained a ginormous roller coaster. How could we resist...we couldn’t!

Marie and I were excited to ride this monstrosity of a roller coaster as it went 130km/hour and went through the building! We managed to convice Shinya to ride it too. It was awesome and I would say it’s up there with one of the best I have been on.

The only problem was that I was dressed for the concert so I was wearing a dress and high heeled boots. Not so appropriate for riding roller coasters but I guess I just fit in perfectly with the Japanese.

Once we got our thrills we lined up in the huge line to get our t-shirts. We finally got to the front and once we had bought them Marie and I couldn’t resist wearing them straight away. They were awesome.

All of us before going in

The concert was brilliant. Koda Kumi was full of energy and was genki for the entire 3 hours that she played for. Everyone had bought glow sticks and as soon as the concert started everyones glow sticks were moving for the entire concert. It looked amazing and gave the dome a really good atmosphere. Koda Kumi started by coming out of a water tank. She had a mermaid theme going. It was an excellent opening and grabbed everyones attention. Even though I only knew a few of her songs it didn’t matter. She put on such a good show that anyone would have enjoyed themselves and I am really glad that Steve pushed us to go to it.

The next day we went to a new area and wondered the strees as they were lined with shops. We then headed back to Yoyogi Park for the last time as it was such a beautiful day. Everyone seemed to be out enjoying themselves with whatever took their fancy - dancing, juggling, playing instruments or just relaxing. It was nice to see the park in autumn too.

The 3 of us just hanging around.

Autumn leaves in Yoyogi.

People utilising the park.

The pond area.

It was a whirlwind trip to Tokyo but an enjoyable one. It’s great that we have been able to go so many times.

Autumn Surrounds The Castle

As I have previously mentioned each season in Japan is very distinct and the decorations, fashion and trees change accordingly. We have seen Himeji Castle in winter, spring and summer so now it is time for the autumn version.

I decided to ride my bike along the moat as I do everyday but this time I was going to take some pictures of the beauty that I pass. I absolutely LOVE riding along the moat - it doesn’t matter which season it is, it is ALWAYS beautiful.





This is inside the castle grounds.



I LOVE autumn - such a beautiful season don't you think???

Colourful Autumn in Kyoto

29th November, 2007

Marie and I took a nenkyu and headed to Kyoto for the day. There were a few places that I really wanted to see before I left and time is dwindling so we took our opportunity and went. We actually fit quite a bit into our day which was fantastic!

Our first stop ws to visit Sanjusangendo which is place that Steve recommended us to visit. It was amazing. Inside the temple were 1000 golden statues which were known as “mercy Gods”. They were all so perfectly placed and lined up. It was interesting wondering through the temple. You couldn’t take any photos inside so I only have the book we bought and my memories of the temple.

The temple from the outside

The inside of the temple (this picture was taken from a book)

This shrine was said to bring you good fortune.

This water fountain is said to stop crying babies who cry through the night.


By this stage it was lunch time so I took Marie to a little park area which Steve showed us previously so that we could eat our packed lunch. It was very pretty in the park and we were able to eat our lunch peacefully.

A lantern in the park

Beautiful trees in the park

Marie and I - we took about 5 photos before we got a good shot!


From here Marie and I headed to Ginkakuji. This temple is meant to be the silver temple but they apparently never got around to coating it in silver. Marie and I still thought it was amazing even so. The gardens surrounding Ginkakuji were awesome and made up for the temple. The autumn colours made it even more impressive.

There was also an area where they made a mound out of sand which was mean to represent Mount Fuji and the sand in front of it was meant to represent a wave. I thought this was pretty impressive and amazing how they actually make it so perfect. I really wanted to run and jump on top of it but didn't think anyone would have appreciated this!!

The surrounding gardens.

The view from the top.

Words can't describe this.

From Ginkakuji we found the “philosophers walk” which was very impressive. We walked along a river which had beautiful autumn trees lining it. It was such a beautiful relaxing walk which we enjoyed taking our time along. Many other people were also enjoying the trail. Along the way there were many temples that you could stop off at. We were looking for one called Eikando which was recommended by Yoko. We eventually found it and it was magnificent.

The river which we walked along.


Eikando Temple

The area around the temple.

This temple had amazing autumn trees.

Here are Marie and I.

Check out these leaves

By this time it was 5:30 and time for us to head home. We jammed in as much as we could into the day as this was possibly the last time that we would be visitng Kyoto. I had a really enjoyable day.

Aerobics - No More!

27th November, 2007

As I mentioned previously Marie and I started up aerobics classes at the community centre. When we first began we only got around 13 people, but week by week the numbers grew and we ended up with between 20 and 30 people each week. It was fantastic to see so many Japanese people regularly attend our sessions.

Everyone that attended the last session.


On the day of our last class they put together a mini party for us. Everyone bought cakes to share and they gave us flowers to show us their appreciation. It was very nice and very sweet of them to go to all that trouble for us. We felt like celebrities. They all wanted to take their photo with us and they kept thanking us over and over again! It was a nice way to end our last session.

All the food we had to eat.

This was a delicious cake that one of the ladies made for us. It had mine and Marie's name on it.

Marie and I also received these beautiful flowers each.

After the aerobics party a group of us came back to the residence to eat a yummy curry that Lauren had cooked for us.

Japanese Lessons

During the year we have been attending Japanese lessons once a week. We have had the same teacher for the entire year and she has been fantastic. I have definitely learnt a large amount of Japanese through out the year which I am happy about. I can read and write hiragana and katakana and I can very basically get myself around. This is a HUGE improvement from the beginning of the year where I knew nothing. This was our last class for the year.

Kyoto Markets

25th November, 2007

Steve, Lauren and I headed to Kyoto to check out the markets that only happen twice a month. The markets were at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. It was a great experience and I am glad that I was able to get there to see them. There were many things to look at from old kimons to plates, pots and paintings. It was interesting to see the types of things they were selling. It was very busy and trying to get through all the people was a challenge in itself.

The markets

Once we had a look at the markets we wondered through the shrine area. I still can’t get over how different each one is. This shrine had beautiful gold lanterns around it.

The shrine

The gold lanterns

The gold lantern up close.

Once we had finished here we headed to another shrine but found that it was closed. As it is getting colder the shrines and temples close earlier than usual. We decided to just wonder around the area that we were in and discovered a beautiful park which had many autumn trees in it and was just stunning. We roamed around for a while admiring our view.

Around the park

Beautiful autumn leaves

A bell surrounded by beautiful autumn leaves.

We then headed to the mall to do some shopping before we ate dinner at a restaurant that Steve, Marie and I ate at the very first time we went to Kyoto. It was just as delicious the second time round. I really enjoyed this trip and am looking forward to going to Kyoto again maybe one more time.

Amazing Sand Dunes in Tottori

24th November, 2007

Shinya drove us to Tottori where the most amazing sand dunes I have ever seen are. They were huge and apparently they spread for 16km. We have been wanting to go there all year and we finally got the chance. It was a beautiful day and perfect for going to the beach.

Steve, Marie, Lauren and I amazed at how big these dunes were.

Shinya, Marie and I took our shoes off and hiked up the steep part of the sand dunes while Steve and Lauren took the easy way out. It was a pretty steep slope to climb but the view from the top was well worth it.

Marie and I climbing the hill

Steve and I at the top of the dune with an awesome view of the ocean.


Shinya, Marie and I then copied everyone else and ran down the dune. It was so much fun. When we got to the bottom we put our feet in the water and was surprised to find that the water wasn’t all that cold. Almost swimable!!

Marie and I running down the dune.

We then hiked back up the hill and ran down the other side. It was awesome - I really enjoyed playing around in the dunes.

Marie, Shinya and I hiking back up the dune.

Me doing angels in the sand.

After we ate lunch Steve, Lauren and I bought pear icecream. Pear is the thing to buy in Tottori. The icecream was delicious!

Shinya then drove us to Yubara which is a spa town. Shinya told us to pack our bathers as there was an outdoor onsen where men and women sit in together. Lauren and I were excited as we were allowed to wear our bathers. As we got closer to the onsen we realised that everyone in it was male and that noone had their bathers on, they were all naked! We couldn’t believe it and were quite shocked. They were all just happily sitting there in the nude with the whole world to see them. There was NO chance I was joining them that’s for sure. We were a little disappointed as we really wanted to go in but I just felt way too uncomfortable.

The outdoor onsen.

We settled on a foot spa instead. It was much more relaxing and comfortable and we had amazing scenery to look at while taking the foot spa.

After we relaxed for a while Shinya drove us home. It was a long drive maybe 3 hours each way but definitely worth it.