But now that I have recovered and am back on British Summer Time, I’ve had the chance to work out a few statistics.

Over the past 6 weeks I have:

Traveled over 23,500 miles
Spent over 100 hours in planes, trains and buses
Visited 3 countries & 13 cities/towns/islands
Visited some of the best places in the world
Taken well over 2000 photos
Drank far too many airline drinks

For a 6 week trip – that is quite something!

The trip has been nothing short of amazing. Japan is certainly the highlight for me; there is nothing I won’t miss. The food, the people, the safety. It’s an amazing place and I’d recommend it to anybody.

There’s not much else I can say that I’ve not already said in my blog over the weeks of my trip. I’m pretty gutted to be home, I’d love to just keep traveling.

I hope that my blog has been enjoyable – and if you are going on/planning a trip yourself, I hope it’s been useful to you. I’m certainly happy to answer any questions you have about any of the places I have been.

Hopefully I will go away again soon; but for now at least, reality beckons.

I leave you with a rather appropriate Japanese quote…

I no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu – a frog in a well knows not the ocean

Thanks for reading. Until next time!

Much has happened these last 5 weeks. I’ve packed in so much it’s hard to know where to start to summarise it all. But I guess if you have read this far…you get the picture. Japan is a fantastic place. I’ve always wanted to visit but I really didn’t think it would be so good. There is so much to see and do…from the hustle, bustle and bright lights of Tokyo, to the more subdued and beautiful Miyajima; the contrast between the two is huge. I could easily spend another 3 weeks here..and then some.

Today we will head into Kobe and enjoy the final few hours of my time here in Japan. Won’t be doing a great deal really, probably sit around outside and enjoy the sunshine. My flight isn’t until 11.15pm so have at least a decent amount of time to spend in Kobe today. There’s even talk of more delicious Kobe beef!

But it’s not over yet – I still have Dubai to look forward to and have got plenty of activities planned for my short stay there. I had hoped to go to the Wild Wadi waterpark but I see that it’s closed for refurbishment. It’s also Ramadan but hopefully this won’t affect things too much.

So it’s time for me to sign off and head out! What a trip.

See you in Dubai!

Got up early this morning to check out and head to the train station for my final trip on the Shinkansen and indeed the conclusion to my solo escapades in Japan.

Decided to spend the afternoon in Kobe, had a wander down to the harbour. Got a bit lost but as usual there was someone there to offer their assistance. They even came back when they saw I had went the wrong way! I had actually gone the wrong way intentionally though…to get a drink from a convenience store. I decided to buy a hotdog while I was there…and on trying to figure out how to open the sauce sachet, it squirted all over my tshirt!

Had a fairly quiet night tonight, just about to watch a film. It’s really dawning on me that it’s the final countdown now, I only have a week left!

The first strange thing you will notice when you get to Miyajima are the unusually tame wild deer that wander the streets. A novelty at first but after a while they are just pests. One cheeky beggar slobbered all over a page in my journal. The next thing you will notice is that it’s a really jaw dropping place. Easily the best shrines I’ve been too and the greenery is amazing!

Had a quick lunch before heading for the 5 storied pagoda (impressive!!) and adjoining shrine before heading for the cable car to use my pass (excellent investment). Incredible views from the vantage points at the second cable car station (the furthest you can go in the cable car)..could see for miles. More deer here but there was also a monkey sitting there too! Lot’s of signs there telling you not to feed the them….and apparently they steal things from you although fortunately I was not mugged. Spent quite a long time up there, even went for a walk further up…about half way from the station to the top. I ran out of water though so headed back down. Went to the aquarium after which was good, if not a little expensive.

After that it was back on the ferry via an ice cream stall. I must have been there a good 6 hours. When I was getting on the ferry I saw those “X” signs again from the guy standing there…although he gave up eventually because whatever he was saying was totally lost in translation. It was only later on that I found out that there are 2 ferries operating from there…..and my pass was for the OTHER one. Oops! Miyajima has certainly been one of the highlights of my trip. A genuinely stunning place and I thoroughly recommend anybody who goes to Japan to go there!

The crossing was short but leaving the island was a bit of a sad moment because it pretty much wraps up my sightseeing in Japan. It was quite a reflective moment actually…I’ve seen and done so much in the last month and I’m not keen for it to end because it’s been so damn good! In less than a week’s time, I’ll be in Dubai. Then not long after that I will be going home….boo hoo.

So now I’m back at the hostel, and just had some food and I’m having a beer. People are coming in by the minute, and threes talk of going out tonight! I dare say I will report back on that in my next entry. I feel i’ve not said that much about Miyajima…at least not enough to do it justice…i’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking on this one!

Once again I admired the views as the train snaked its way through the Kyushu countryside, past more little harbors and tsunami-wall lined roads. I came to firmly decide on another observation which I had been aware of since coming to Nagasaki – Some of the Japanese people in the more rural areas, the older folk in particular, have a real reluctance to sit next to foreigners! I was told to expect this mind so if anything it was a bonus…more room for my stuff. What do they expect me to do?! I had bought some food in the train station…I just assumed it was a bentos box. To my horror it wasn’t – it was a ramen box which required a pan of boiling water. I may have many things in my backpack but a pan of boiling water is not among them. What a bloody stupid thing to sell on a train platform. Beware!

Arrived in Hakata and transferred to the Shinkansen which wasn’t a long wait either. I took a bit of a gamble getting on it mind, because when I asked one of the station guys if the train went to Hiroshima, he did A LOT of talking in Japanese and made “X” marks with his arms, as if to say no…but I was sure it was the same train that I came in on so I got on anyway, because the next train with ‘Hiroshima’ shown on the departures board was over an hour away. After a while, and several thoughts of being on the wrong train, I pulled into Hiroshima. Perhaps the guy in Hakata just liked the X-Factor…

The first I noticed about Hiroshima was that it is a great deal bigger than Nagasaki! I headed for the tram so I could make my way to the hostel. I almost got mowed down by an old lady on a bicycle on the way! There are many bicycles in Japan; all using the path instead of the road. I do wonder about Japan’s older generation. In England they would be served with an ASBO (that’s an Anti-Social Behavior Order…for any non-English who are reading), given an ankle tag and sentenced to house arrest. Probably. The hostel was closed when I arrived, but I was expecting this anyway, and so headed straight to the A-Bomb dome which wasn’t very far away. I bought a day 2 tram/ferry/cable car pass for 2000yen – I plan on going on the cable car in Miyajima tomorrow and that alone is 1800yen so it is a good buy. You can get them from the conductors on the trams.

The A-Bomb dome is a building which was destroyed on the day of the bomb. It’s been preserved almost exactly as it was on August 2nd, 1945 – apart from the obvious work to keep the remains standing. It certainly gives you a good impression of just how devastating the bomb was. It’s utterly destroyed, surrounded by piles of rubble and contorted steel girders. Not far from the dome is the museum, which is along the same lines as the Nagasaki museum….although perhaps a bit more graphic. There is a section of stone stairs from a bank which has the shadow of a person sitting there at the time the bomb went off, which was quite eerie to see. Lots of graphic photos, possessions, damaged objects etc. I think it’s the better of the 2 a-bomb museums overall and I spent quite a long time taking it all in.

Headed back to the hostel and checked in. Immediately I got the feeling that it was a far friendlier place than in Tokyo – lots of people talking and it didn’t take at all long to meet people. I did more talking in the first half hour than I did during my entire stay in the Tokyo hostel! I decided to go on a food hunt. Hiroshima leaflets and guidebooks all make a big fuss of “Hiroshimayaki” – which is just a Hiroshima special Okonomiyaki (essentially a pancake with noodles, meat and veg, all fried up right in front of you). This is certainly one of my favourite Japanese dishes!

Spent some time wandering around Hatchobori which is one of the main areas of Hiroshima. Lots of shops and malls. After that I went back to peace park to get a feel of the place in the dark, before heading back to the hostel where I had a few beers and some good conversation with some fellow travelers. One lad was just embarking on a years trip – lucky sod! There was this Polish guy though, who opposed everybody’s opinion and then said he didn’t like England because it is “the most big brother place.” I eventually switched off and joined a girl who was making paper cranes (an origami bird)….my first effort wasn’t bad at all! Eventually went to bed. Miyajima tomorrow!

As I mentioned yesterday, Nagasaki has past ties with Portugal, Holland and I’ve since found out China also; so it’s somewhat of a cultural crossroads and this makes for some interesting places to visit. First port of call today was Dejima – once an island inhabited by the Portuguese, and later by the Dutch. As such, this had an old-school European feel to it. There was plenty to see, including an immaculate garden featuring a scale model of Dejima. The reason it was an island was because it was the only place the foreigners were allowed to be at that time. The European connections provided a trading gateway to the West, many years ago. As I continued my wander around, I was approached by a Japanese man who asked if I could speak English. He was rather pleased that I could and so began quite a conversation! Where had I been? What did I think of Japan? Was I alone? Where was I going? What did I think of Japanese girls? In other countries, some of the questions would maybe put you on your guard a bit – but not here. That’s one thing I have come to love about Japan; the fact that it’s very unlikely that there will be an ulterior motive to any questions. Once again I was surprised at how good his English was. I hadn’t expected it in the likes of Tokyo, let alone Nagasaki. In what has now come to be standard fashion, he asked if I was from the USA….but was again thrilled to learn that I was from England. “Ooooh! Engrand! Long way from home!” He came to the conclusion that I was obviously very rich to be on a 6 week trip so far from home. I wish! He then said he respected the fact that I had came alone, and was envious of my journey. After a bit more general chit chat, he did the usual well wishing, and then went about his way. It’s surprising just how many people want to talk to foreigners!

My next activity for the day was to take the ferry harbour cruise, so I headed to the port. However, there was nobody at the ticket desk, and the 12pm cruise had a big line through it. I put 2 and 2 together and decided that it obviously wasn’t running, so would go back later. Opted to go for lunch – more tasty Champon from a place called Ringers (right in the port). A full set with gyozas for 580yen! From there it was back on the tram to fit in a few more sights before returning for the 3pm ferry cruise. A day pass for the tram is only 500yen so it’s very good value and I’d recommend you get one if visiting Nagasaki.

I headed to Glover Garden next, which is a rather old place and former home of a Scotsman who came to Nagasaki in the 1800′s. I have to be honest; it wasn’t very exciting….there’s nothing remotely Japanese about the place. Except for being in Japan of course, and when you leave there are some miniature Japanese ships and some dragons. The displays reminded me of being dragged around Old English Heritage sites against my will when I was younger on Sunday afternoons when I would far rather be outside with my friends at home. I had to have a chuckle to myself though….6000 miles from England and i’m in a place with Scottish & English background. The views were good however and it provided the opportunity to take a rest and sample some of the famous Castella cake, which is very nice indeed but it’s just like most other sponge cake i’ve eaten in the past.

Wandered from there to the Dutch Slope, which is very steep and provides for some good photo opportunities. Slowly made my way back to the port and arrived with about 15 mins to spare. Obviously the Japanese efficiency was rubbing off on me! The 1 hour harbour cruise is 1,200yen; that’s still under £5. That left exactly on time too! There was quite a breeze on the ferry but I welcomed this with open arms because for the first time today I could feel the relentless, ever flowing “sweat tap” being subdued. Despite being September, it’s still way over 30 degrees C. So the ferry slowly made it’s way around the harbour, which is very industrial. There is a huge Mitsubishi factory there – did you know that Mitsubishi means “three diamonds”? I didn’t until recently – but I suppose it’s quite logical given the company logo! As well as the obvious sights, the harbour cruise provides an ideal opportunity to rest your feet. You do a lot of walking in Japan and it takes its toll on your feet! At one point I even started to feel a bit cold – it was a reminder of things to come when I go home. But I don’t want to think about that, it’s depressing!

Headed to the Sofukiji temple next, which is on “temple row” – there must have been something special going on as the place was swarming with camera crews and professional photographers with enormous lenses. Chanting Buddha’s, masses of food and loads of incense. Not sure what it was all about mind. Wandered from there down to the river area and to the Spectacles bridge which, when the water is at the right height, has a perfectly circular reflection…hence why it’s called Spectacles bridge.

Next on the cards was Shainbashi – the entertainment district. I will just have to take Lonely Planet’s word for that one though, because there was little in the way of entertainment and lots of places were closed! Probably more of a night time place I suspect. I felt the need for food again but picture menus were few and far between around here, and the places with picture menus used Kanji (ie. symbols) numbers… not much help to me. So it was back to the AMU Plaza (mall at the train station) food court. Had a look in some shops and then decided to catch a film at the cinema, because I didn’t really fancy another early return to the Ryokan because last night was pretty dull. 1800yen for the cinema; so pretty much the same price as at home. Luckily for me the Japanese apparently aren’t keen on dubbing, so the film was in English with Japanese subtitles!

After the film I briefly went into Kinkos (a Fed-Ex place) in the train station to use the internet – it’s VERY expensive though so I did little more than send an email. By then it was a good time to go back. Tomorrow I head to Hiroshima; the final part of my solo excursions.

I’ve come to realise that being alone in Japan is fine, it’s no where near as scary as you might think! Amusingly, no matter how hard I try to speak basic Japanese…I always get a response in English.

The train services were once again spot on to the minute, but this time I couldn’t take a direct service. 2 Shinkansens were required, followed by a highly luxurious Limited Express train to complete the final miles to Nagagasaki. Polished wooden floors, chrome bars on the roof and big, reclining leather seats…..at first I thought I had went into first class by accident!

Edging towards Nagasaki, the train twists and tilts its way through mile after mile of small villages with and ships lying on bare river beds because the tide is out. The views are spectacular; certainly the best scenery i’ve seen so far on my trip. The weather was great, making the views accross the small ports and harbours all the more eye catching. Very traditional Japanese houses litter the surrounding areas.

So when I arrived in Nagasaki, the sun was once again blazing and it was hot! Headed straight for the Ryokan to dump my bag. One real advantage of staying with Andy was that I only needed to take enough stuff for 3 days at a time…making for a far lighter backpack! The place is really nice – I was greeted by the owner with a hearty bow, and enough English to get me by. I put my bag in my huge room, which is very traditional, complete with iced mugi-cha…which I have come to think of as “weetabix tea” and I love it! Drank the entire flask there and then. Headed back out, and the owner was waiting for me and he had put together some local information and maps, and said “enjoy Nagasaki” as I left – what a nice guy! It’s called Fujiwara Ryokan, by the way.

Time was getting on so I immediately made for the A-Bomb museum and peace park for what would be my only sightseeing of the day. The trams are handy and are very easy to use, and they’re cheap at 100yen. The city has some really European feeling to it, which is due to past ties with the Dutch and the Portuguese…I will no doubt learn a bit more about that tomorrow.

Visting the A-Bomb museum and park was quite a surreal experience. “Never forget August 9th, 19.45, 11am” is the message told by the peace statue. This is the time when the Americans dropped the Fat Man bomb over Nagasaki, making it the second ever city to be nuked. You read about it in books and see it on TV but nothing can really prepare you for the sense of reality you get when you are actually standing at the hypocentre monument thinking of the utter destruction caused by the bomb 62 years ago. In fact this time 62 years ago it was just short of a month since the bomb, so the area where I was standing would have been in ruin. It’s such a peacful place, which makes it all the more difficult to imagine.

The museum houses lots of scorched and heavily damaged relics, with some pretty graphic photos alongside. Burned clothes, glasses, plates etc – all on display. Seeing peoples actual posessions drills it in even more and makes the whole thing seem so much more real.

I spent a long time in the park, taking everything in. It was hunger that moved me on! Nagasaki is a relatively small city compared to the others I have visted so getting around is quicker. I headed back to the mall at the train station, because there is a big food hall there and I was keen to try Champon – a Nagasaki specialty which is similar to ramen, packed with chicken, shrimps, squid, mussles and loads of fresh veg…aswell as the noodles and soup of course! I was given an English menu when I sat down!

Seemingly there isn’t masses to do for the lone traveller at night in Nagasaki, and there were no travellers at the Ryokan to talk to so I just headed back to my room to get an early night…watched a bit of TV and caught up on my journal. My tea flask had been refilled.

Went for an Onsen again this evening. On the way back, there was a guy doing drifting…Fast and the Furious style…round the public roads! He must have had bald tyres by the end of it. Perhaps not the most sensible thing to do when there are quite alot of people round, but never mind..gives me something to talk about anyway!

I’ve made another observation – this time it’s about Ambulances. They drive SO slow! And, no matter what time of day or night, wether its busy or not a single car on the road, they have the sirens on full blast, with voice announcements. In a place as efficient as Japan, I wouldn’t have thought they would see the point of sirens and driving slowly on an empty road at 3am…but they do, and they wake me up from time to time!

Tomorrow i’m off solo again to Nagasaki, i’m really looking forward to it. I think it will be quite eerie visiting the A-Bomb site and museum. I’ve opted to stay in a Ryokan this time, which is a traditional Japanese Inn. Tatami mats, futon bedding, paper thin doors – the works. More to follow!

Went up the Floating Garden Building, which is quite a strange building to look at but as usual it’s impressive. Gives a really good view over the city!

Spent most of the day looking round shops really, and managed to lose a good hour in Yodabashi Camera….quite possibly the biggest electrical store I will ever visit! They sell everything!

We went for lunch, and as a result I have an all new “least favourite Japanese dish” and I am now certain that I won’t find anything I like less. Tofu: easily the most bland, tasteless food i’ve ever eaten! It wasn’t exactly cheap either. I just had loads and loads of miso soup and rice. There was one snack in particular, that was full of water, and really wasn’t at all pleasant to bite into! I don’t think i’ll be rushing back for more tofu any time soon.

Had a bit more wandering, then went back. Went to a 100yen sushi bar for tea, was heavenly compared to the tofu! Stuffed my face.

Quite an expensive day today, but i’ve enjoyed Osaka!

I got into Yokohama at around lunch time and stored my bag in a coin locker. To be honest, I don’t have a great deal to say about Yokohama. The weather certainly put a bit of a limit on what I could do but even then, there doesn’t seem to be a great deal to do there.

One place I did want to go to however was Cosmoworld, a small amusement park right in the middle of the city. It certainly makes for an impressive backdrop, especially at night! However, being such a murky afternoon I didn’t really get the full atmosphere of the place and it was fairly dead. Well, very dead. I rode the rollercoaster anyway though, and got pelted in the face by hail all the way. Pretty decent coaster actually! Also went on the big wheel which is seriously high. Again though, I couldn’t see much due to the weather. I bought an umbralla, a highly stylish, clear plastic umbrella. But hey, everyone had the same one so no matter.

I went into Chinatown for lunch, one of the biggest in the world. Lunch was nice and set me back 800yen, so again, very reasonable. That was for a ramen and gyoza (dumpling type things) set. I love how theres never a charge for drinks becuase you either get unlimited water, or unlimited tea, for free! Wandered around China town (umbrella was doing the trick!) for a while, and looked at the gates and in a few shops.

I started to get a little bored with my surroundings (weather wasn’t helping at all), so made for the station to retrieve my bag and then make the short journey to Shin-Yokohama to catch the Shinkansen back to base camp, which again took around 3 hours. By the time I got back to Kobe, the rain was long gone and the skies were far clearer.

I think i’m going to Osaka for the day tomorrow, lets hope for better weather!