Deceptive Appearances

from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on a cloudy day, Tokyo looks almost drab and lifeless.

but Tokyo is anything but.

Wanderlust

admittedly, our trip to Japan in June was to attend a wedding, but we also made our way down to Kobe, from Osaka, to meet up with a university friend. the last time we visited Japan, he introduced us to a trendy, hole-in-the wall izakaya in Shibuya, Tokyo. this time, he zipped us around Kobe in his awesome Japanese sports car. this was taken during dinner at another izakaya in Kobe.

the trouble with browsing travel albums, however, is that wanderlust hits like a fist to the face.

(and i'm sorry for our reflections in the window)

First Night in Osaka

a late evening, darkened streets, closing restaurants.

from our hostel (J-Hoppers Osaka) window, we watched the sushi restaurant where we had our dinner switch off its signboard and lights.

our first night in Osaka, and we have already met the friendliest sushi chef, who presented us a plate of torched salmon sushi with "service". "no pay money," he said. then he grinned to himself as he watched us enjoy our meal.

-s

The Man and his Umbrella

Japan is not all about technology, neon billboards and fugu.
We arrived at Kansai Airport, a tad disappointed that it was raining, but excited nonetheless. from our train, i spied a man and his umbrella, walking against the wind and the rain.