This is going to be like a photo blog, so not many words (for a change).

All these pictures come from places outside Tokyo when me and Ricky went to stay in Kyoto for a few days.

The Inari Shrine, Kyoto.

These dog statues are called kitsune which is the Japanese word for fox. Kitsune are the servants to the Shinto deity Inari.






Inari Shrine is famous for its sheer number of Torii, Japanese traditional gates to a Shinto shrine (I don't know what I am talking about really).






There's also a lake and a sleeping cat.



Osaka: Umeda Sky Building.


The roof is reached by two escalators, you can see them at the top of the building here. They are suspended like bridges which makes them slightly scary.






At the top there is an impressive model of an old city, made rather more unrealistic by a big statue with moving eyes.


Also in Osaka is "The world's tallest ferris wheel," although the same claim is made by another ferris wheel in Tokyo and probably many others around the world.





Below the ferris wheel there is a kind of indoor market with lots of souvenirs, toys and places to eat, including Popcorn Papa. Here is a sample of some of his flavours.


Kobe





Kobe has the nicest malls. Outside this one was a giraffe sculpture.




And inside there was large 3D models of famous paintings, for example this is a Mona Lisa made of buttons.










At the Kobe funfair you can ride pandas.


And there is a cable car up the mountain to a view area and large herb garden.





In Kyoto, or near it at least, is a place called Arashiyama.






This bear sits all day outside a souvenir shop, it has been in service some time and has developed a rather unfortunate split.


When the shop closes they throw the bear inside onto the floor where it lies rather pittifully until its time for work again.

Arashiyama also has a monkey park




The park is up a steep hill, at the top of which is a view so impressive that even the local monkeys sometimes just sit and wonder at it all.



There was also a tree root sticking out of the soil that I thought had a friendly face (call me an optimist).


Just outside Arashiyama station is a very sophisticated toilet. It is a large metal contraption with a sign outside telling you all the wonderful features it has to tempt you to do business with it. 100 yen a go.


The sign reads:

"Fully equiped with heating and air conditioning, background music, baby seat, handrails, mirror, hand soap, hand dryer, toilet paper, hanger, dust bin, sanitary napkin disposal etc."

"In case of need, there is a direct line to our administration centre so you can call us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

I can't help wondering if the helpline goes like this, "If you have constapation, please press 1." Actually there is a large button inside which allows you to extend your stay by 10 minutes which I guess is for constapation sufferers

The sign continues: "This toilet is designed so that the door will not close when small children (less than 25kg) attempt to use; therefore guardians should assist."

This is me in the toilet.


Sophisticated or what?