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One nice thing about this hostel I’ve been staying at in Kyoto is the 24 Hour grocery store next door. It is probably the best place to get cheap food, including ready to eat sushi and similar packages. I think that’s the only place I’ve been getting food lately. Get some kind of rice balls, or fried fish/chicken, or bread rolls and eat it over in the hostel. The downside to the place is how full it can get. It was the most crowded last night, with 10 people in my room, huge backpacks all over the floor, and my 3-level bunk-bed filled up.

Today was my last day in Kyoto so I tried to see as much as I could before I left. Near my hostel, I walked to Kennin-ji. After checking out, I visited Tofuku-ji. After putting my backpack in a locker at Kyoto station, walked through Myoshin-ji before visiting Ninna-ji. Then sort of a long walk to Kinkaku-ji (the most famous place in Kyoto, the Golden Temple–I think overrated), then another long walk and a train to Koryu-ji (was a rip-off, unfortunately). Then another train and I tried to get a peek at Nijo Castle, but didn’t get a good view and time was running short. Finally back to Kyoto Station, and from there I walked over to Higashi-Nongan-ji, and Nishi-Hongan-ji (both under renovation). Kyoto Station had a huge staircase and elevators going up to a 10th floor observation area. What made it unique was the fact the escalators were not stacked on top of each other like in traditional buildings, but all in one line, so it was kind of like going up a mountain. After taking a while I finally found my locker in the huge station and got on the train to Osaka.

I’m spending the next three nights in Osaka.

My eye/face is almost as good as new today. Today I took a day trip to Nara, which was the first capital of Japan. I had a few setbacks early in the day like getting locked out of the hostel for a little bit, and then getting on the wrong train (express instead of local), but I finally made it there. On the way the train made it past what I think was Nintendo’s headquarters, which I thought was neat. I walked through K?fuku-ji and I noticed there a foundation being placed for a huge traditional building. Looks like they aren’t in a rush though, so have to come back in 50 years and see how they’re doing. Then I went to the Nara National Museum. I wanted to take some photos, but didn’t see anyone else doing it, so I asked. After reading the rules, filling in my name in a logbook, putting a band on my right arm, I was told I could take photos of two items in the museum (not the ones I wanted to photograph). I thought, forget it, and walked out with zero photos. Then the main attraction was at T?dai-ji. It is supposed to be the largest wooden building in the world and it houses a Daibutsu statue and a few others. Really impressive. A lot of school field trips go here though. After a little more walking around the town, I headed back to Kyoto for the night.

I could see out of both eyes all day today, so things seem to be getting better. Today I got out and walked along the Path of Philosophy. I visited some places like Ginkaku-ji, Honen-in, and Nanzen-ji. But still kind of taking it easy.

I awoke today seeing out of only one eye due to swelling from what I believe was a wasp sting below my eye yesterday. I read I could be like this for 3-4 days. It was raining most of the day anyway, so I decided to stay inside and watch some of my videos on my computer. I tried going to a pharmacy to see if they would give anything to help. It was kind of tough to find with only one eye. They didn’t speak any English and it seemed like they were saying no and get out when they saw my face. Later with the help of someone working at the Hostel, we went to another pharmacy and I got some aspirin and I also took some Tylenol. Probably won’t make much difference since I think only time is needed. Also found an eye patch that I might try. It isn’t ideal sightseeing in this condition, unfortunately.

I found out my bank, NetBank, went out of business and closed down today, partially due to mortgage defaults. My money was insured by the FDIC, so it hasn’t disappeared and my account is transferred over to a new (also virtual) bank called ING Direct. We’ll see how it works out. I think it will change how I can deposit money since they require you to get money from another bank account. However, it appears their interest rates are better.

I noticed this hostel has some pretty high tech stuff. There’s a HDTV with a satellite conditional access card inside it, which means no need for a separate satellite box. The wireless routers use 802.11n, which is more than my computer can handle. Japan has passed me up again! I did some speed tests connected directly using Ethernet though. Speed testing to some local Japan servers I get 31Mbps and 57Mbps. How about something international and practical? I can get about 17Mbps sustained when not using wireless with my news-server located in the USA. So 100Mbps Internet in Japan doesn’t look like a myth, I’ve seen it myself! (For comparison, the fastest in Michigan is 8Mbps.)

I headed off to see some of the important historical sights in the morning. I headed to Kiyomizu-dera first, which is a temple with a nice view of the city. I also stopped by Chion-in which had some huge wooden buildings. There were a bunch of others I walked by, but not all were labeled in English, so it was kind of confusing.

Then around noon I was walking on the sidewalk to some more places when out of no where an insect flies up to my face and stings me right below my eye! I didn’t see it more than a split second, but I think it was colored red. Just some flapping wings in front of my eye and then a lot of pain. I’m wearing shoes, long pants, long sleeve shirt, but it goes right for the face! I don’t think I’m allergic to any insects, but I was having a rough time and decided to get back to my room. So now my face is sore and starting to swell up and by tomorrow I don’t know if I’ll be able to see out of my one eye. On top of this, I think I was starting to get sick before this happened. So I cut today short, but on the bright side I was able to catch up typing my log.

I checked out of my hotel in the morning and headed to Akihabara again to check some things out before I leave the city. I visited a store called Yodobashi Camera, since it was supposed to be the biggest and I think it was. They sell all sorts of computers, electronics, appliances, books, DVDs, etc. A single floor was about the size of Best Buy but this store had eight floors (plus a restaurant floor)! To give some idea, I noticed one aisle was nothing but computer mice. Half of a floor was almost all phones. There must have been 1000 phones there. I didn’t see any Nokia, Motorola, or Samsung phones. It is all Softbank, DoCoMo, and au by KDDI. I could only inspect the physical parts of the phone, since it is all in Japanese. But everything seemed top notch; the resistance when sliding open the keypad, or flipping open felt like higher quality than I’ve seen on any other phones.

Elsewhere in Akihabara there are shops for everything. I saw one store that sold only light bulbs. Another that sold only fans. There are stores that still toys and models from the smallest giant robot to life-size dolls, clothes, and parts. This is also the place for any manga (Japanese comic books) or anime (Japanese animation) or video games (from latest to 20 year old Nintendo games) or arcades and of course, maid cafes. Too bad a lot of stores have no photography signs, I guess you have to see for yourself.

For lunch I decided I would try to find a buffet (called viking in Japan) I found on the web. I took the train to Ginza and walked, but the restaurant has been closed since a month ago. I noticed an Apple store, so I decided to go in there. It was four floors. I noticed the glass elevators had one button in Apple style. 3rd floor had a demo/learning theatre. The 4th floor had a free Internet area, which I used to find another place to eat. I liked the new Apple keyboard, which has a thin stainless steel design. Anyway, I set off walking again. I ended up finding a different restaurant on the way called Cali Cali. They had an Indian Curry buffet lunch. It was different from any other restaurant I’ve been to because you have to take your shoes off, then sit on the floor and use a low table. For about $10.50 I ate quite a bit, maybe too much since I wasn’t really feeling that great afterwards.

After lunch, back to Akihabara where I take my backpack out of a locker, and then to the bullet trains at Tokyo station for my next destination. Less than three hours later, I was in Kyoto at my hostel. It was dark out so no more sightseeing today.

Today is my last full day in Tokyo, and I have a marathon list of places I have to visit. I started by walking to the Asakusa ward to the famous Senso-ji. After getting a $3 bowl of noodles, I continued on to Ueno Park, containing the Tokyo National Museum. I went through all of the buildings there fairly quickly. Afterwards, I hopped on the train again and tried to find the Ryogoku Fireworks Museum in the "Sumo Town" area, which I did. Only one small room. They have a few things like a 60cm diameter shell there. Nearby was the Edo-Tokyo museum, covering the history of the city. Then it was time for another train to Tokyo Station, the central station in the city. I walked to the Imperial Gardens, which happens to be the former site of Edo castle. There were some impressive stone walls and moats around there. I kept walking north past Budokan hall to the controversial Yakusuni Shrine. It seems like all Chinese people I’ve met are really angry at any Japanese Prime Ministers who visit this shrine which honors war dead (including some war criminals). Then walked to another station (I happened to find a video game company, Tecmo, on the way). Then it was on to the Sony Showcase in the Sony Building. It was closed yesterday, but I decided to try again. Of course, the latest products were on display. Some not yet available in the US, like Rolly. Then I headed to the Akihabara district, which has been called geek Mecca. Too much there to speak of right now. Finally went to see a concert of a Japanese bad called Moi dix Mois, Afterwards, I stopped by Akihabara  since there was so many shops there before going to sleep.

I took off on a train in the morning for the 250 miles back to Tokyo from Hiraizumi. I realized there were still a lot of things I still haven’t seen here, so I have to turn up the pace. It was afternoon by the time I checked into my hotel (Hotel Juyoh again). I headed to the Odaiba area of Tokyo. I took the Yurikamome Line which runs really high up in the air giving some good views of the city. The train goes over Rainbow Bridge and arrives in maybe the most futuristic area of Tokyo. I should note it takes about an hour to get anywhere in Tokyo since it is such a large city and everything is spread out in different districts. So it means I can only see so much per day.

First stop was the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (also called  Miraikan). The first thing I noticed when arriving, the staff directs you to ticket machines. Then to gain entry to an area, you scan your ticket to go through a gate on each floor. Inside, there’s lots of robots, a mechanical representation of the Internet (with tubes!), some cool International Space Station equipment, and anything else cutting edge. I missed the demonstration of the Honda Asimo robot though. Too bad I didn’t have much time here.

Next was a walk over to Toyota Megaweb. Free entry inside. They have a showroom of cars, some cool Hybrid engine cutaways, and some concept vehicles. I was able to ride in an autonomous driven car for about $2. They have a track that curves around inside and outside the building with magnets embedded in the concrete. Similar to what I worked on in the University, but surprising here in Japan they have so much confidence they will let you go in one alone! You get it, press the Start button, and the steering wheel starts turning by itself and the car navigates the track.

I walked around the area some more. I noticed in one of the malls a robot or something just moving down the hall. Not really sure what it was doing, but "Only in Japan!"

I set off early to get to the northern most part of my trip to Japan. If you look on a map, I am north of Sendai and close to Ichinoseki. Hiraizumi is a smaller town. I can take a break from the big cities and there’s an interesting place to spend the night. The two main places to see are Motsu-ji and Chuson-ji. I was able to stay at the youth hostel at Motsu-ji. There is a 850-year-old garden right outside. I spent the rest of the day walking to the sights. I was surprised to get a wireless signal way out here in my room.

The next morning I had a sort of traditional Japanese breakfast. Rice, Miso soup, the infamous Natto, an egg, and a few other vegetables. I had a hard time figuring things out. So many bowls and things. I had to wait for some Japanese people to start eating first. There’s one bowl you use for soup, and another kind you use for rice. I figured it out and think I’ll be better prepared if I have this meal again.

Woke up early and checked out of my room. I caught a train at 7:10 from Tokyo heading out of the city. After about 2 hours I made it to Nikko.

I dropped off my backpack at the hostel I’m staying at. The staff were so helpful they provided a highlighted map and explained the best places to go. I took a nearby trail to the Nikko Woodcarving Center, then to a traditional Japanese farmhouse where an old lady served tea. I met up with three Filipino people there and continued on. Then it was on to the main shrine and temple area that this place is famous for. First was Rinno-ji Temple. Then farther up the hill was the main attraction, Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of one of the most famous people in Japanese history, Tokugawa Ieyasu. There were especially a lot of people around there. I learned later it was a national holiday. By then I split up with the three Filipinos and continued on my own. Then I went on to some others: Futarasan Shrine, and Taiyuinbyo.

After the main places, I hiked up a long stone staircase in the middle of the woods to Takino Shrine. Here you’re supposed to throw three rocks through a small circle in the Torii gate and if one goes through you’re wish comes true. I didn’t get any through in my three tries. Then I hiked down the mountain to the river flowing below the entire complex and saw the Sacred Bridge, Shinkyo. Then I walked along the river to the Bake-jizou, which is a line of statues along the river. They say if you count them one way and then again the other way, you will always get a different number. I counted 74 one way, turned around and counted 75 on my return trip. There is a interesting cemetery just above where the statues are which I visited too.

The atmosphere is really great in Nikko with its old large trees, mountain streams everywhere, moss covering stone walls and stone lanterns, and areas where you’re practically alone. After that long day off walking I had a fancy Japanese "zen" dinner at the place I’m staying. It was a really healthy vegan dinner with brown rice, potatoes, mushrooms, soup, salad, and dofu. I shared my room with two other Americans from Minnesota.