This is my trip to Japan ...

I'm back! 

Had the most amazing time in Japan, I already want to go back. 

So here are a few snaps, and I'll have some book reviews of my holiday-reading up soon! 

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This was right near our hotel in Tokyo: a steam-punk themed clock designed by the famous Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. 

My first encounter with manga in Japan! 

Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo - that's me!

So, I was a real geek and looked up where Lost in Translation shot around Tokyo, and found some movie trivia that said Sofia Coppola filmed lots of the Shibuya scenes from Starbucks - so that's what we did too. 

Shibuya at night. 

Yep, did Tokyo Disneyland. It's pretty awesome hearing Buzz Lightyear speak Japanese. 

Fushimi-Inari Shrine.

Secondhand bookshops in Japan are the absolute best, and most amazing places to find hidden treasures. I paid $3 each for about 10 painting prints.

First taste of sake. Yum!

Nara Deer Park, about an hour out of Kyoto, was my absolute favourite. Especially because we walked a little further away from the main entrance, to a secluded park where there were dozens and dozens of deer, but not another soul around. Perfect.

There was a baseball game on the day we arrived in Hiroshima, so we tagged along to support local team - Hiroshima Toyo Carp. 

I can't say the game itself was overly thrilling, but crowd enthusiasm was astounding! 

The Atomic Bomb Dome, Children's Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - this was such a moving experience. 

Osaka Castle, and a time capsule that's to be opened in 5000 years.

First-time karaok'ing, but it won't be my last! 

Amerikamura, Osaka (America-village) 

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo. 

Didn't get to the Studio Ghibli Museum (requires booking advanced tickets, and the person I was travelling with wasn't familiar with the films) but I did stumble across an official store that had a little gallery-display area that was pretty damn cool. 

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So that was my trip to Japan!