(Because I'm lazy.)
(As it turned out, pictorials are pretty time-consuming too and not suited for the lazy.)
The Kamakura Daibutsu, apparently the most famous among Kamakura's many cultural sights. It used to have a roof over it's head and was also covered in gold leaf, but the former was washed away in a 1495 tsunami and the latter flaked or tarnished away thanks to the salty sea air. Although smaller than Nara's Daibutsu, it is s'posed to be artistically superior. For a small fee, one can enter the 11.4-metre tall Daibutsu and see how just how many bronze pieces were joined together in its construction.
Oiso, an hour or so from Shin-Yokohama, is fishermen's playground beside the Pacific Ocean. When there is an earthquake in the region, this pebbly beach is not where you want to be (this is when 'tsunami' should pop into your head). Stayed over at said friend's parents' apartment nearby. The Pacific Ocean Cycling Route passes through here.
And in case you were wondering: No swimming.
Spotted one of these curious contraptions on the roads near the Yokohama Bay area. Sort of like an uber trishaw.
Spent my nights in Tokyo at the Riverside Capsule Hotel located beside the Sumida River in Asakusa. It's that building on the right topped with a round green thing. This river is the "Sumida" in Sumida Hanabi Festival on 26 July. Patrons were barred from entering the hotel until the fireworks were well and truly over. Why? Because the louts downstairs are demanding to be paid for your passage, since the hotel, primely located by the river, presumably offers a good view of the proceedings. It ought to be illegal, of course, but the policemen, standing mere metres away, do not bother the louts. They are more concerned that not one of the thousands of people gathered gets through their barriers. They have in fact cordoned off the prime viewing spots: Sumida Park, Sakura Bridge, Kototoi Bridge, Azuma Bridge, most of the roads surrounding the area and possibly all the other hashis along the river. Envisioning a fun and romantic Hanabi Festival by the river? Stick to your anime.
Izakaya (traditional Japanese pub) in Asakusa. Great place to shoot the breeze if you enjoy your sake. And yes, guys carry tote bags in Japan. And they mostly carry it under the arm too, not sling it over the shoulder.
For between 500 and 900 yen, enjoy a bowl of fresh sashimi don at Ueno's pasar-malam-like Ameyoko Market, one of my favourite places in Tokyo.
Mount Fuji, as seen from Fuji-Yoshida, the town in the area closest to the dormant volcano. Before you get the wrong impression, between here and the town of Kawaguchi-ko (one of the five Fuji lakes), there is a large amusement park complete with death-defying rides and a grand hotel. Also, according to information gleaned from the guidebook, there is a souvenir shop at the summit of Mount Fuji.
Hiked a couple of hours to the Koyo-dai to get this picture of Mount Fuji, which resulted in my missing the last bus and subsequently walking 2.5 hours in the dark back to the Kawaguchi-ko train station. In effect I walked halfway around Sai-ko and Kawaguchi-ko and then some, it's possible the route topped 20 kilometres! The lack of a proper map of the area meant that I would've been unable to locate the train station (if or) when I reached the town, if I hadn't come upon two affable Japanese housewives walking their dogs, who decided to show me the way.
The following day, I am in Singapore nursing a tense left jaw and not chewing well at all. Not exactly a fairy tale ending but who believes in fairy tales these days? Bah (humbug).
