Foto: The Shibuya crossing (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Japan - This afternoon, everyone does their own thing. I enjoy walking through the city alone for a while. Just some quiet around me. I walk from the bustle of Ginza toward the south. It’s obvious how well-organized everything in Japan is. At construction sites, men stand at the gates to stop or warn pedestrians. Yesterday, we saw someone walking with a flag next to a street sweeper in a parking lot. In the park, a man walks ahead of a truck to warn pedestrians, and perhaps the most extreme example: at a busy intersection, two men stand by the pedestrian light to prevent people from crossing or cycling through a red light. Infrastructure in Japan is often layered. Trains run on elevated tracks. Below them is traffic. Even the metro sometimes hangs above the road. In some areas, there are entire pedestrian promenades at the same level. Amid all the traffic and skyscrapers lies the former Hama Palace Garden—a peaceful spot in the busy city. I walk into the park and look at the simple flower garden. I pass the tea pavilion. From the palace garden, I cut diagonally through to Shiba Park. On the west side of this park stands the 333-meter tall Tokyo Tower. Its bright red structure resembles the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Below the tower is a large food court with many restaurants trying to lure tourists. I find the 35 euro entrance fee to the tower a bit steep. I walk around the building to take pictures from the ground. Right next to the tower stands the Zojo-ji Temple. This massive Buddhist temple was rebuilt in 1975 on the spot where the original was founded in 1393. In the evening, we all head together to the entertainment district of Shinjuku. The metro is packed. At every door, men are ready to push passengers into the train. I’ve heard about this phenomenon before, but it’s bizarre to experience it myself. Other passengers just accept the pushing without complaint. At Shinjuku Station, it’s already getting dark. Giant neon signs light up the area. Near the station stands the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The top floor has an observation deck. A lightning-fast elevator takes us to the 45th floor. As twilight falls over Tokyo, I have a view of the city. Lights come on everywhere. What a beautiful sight. Back in Shinjuku, we order drinks at a terrace. The area is full of cafes and restaurants. We want to eat sushi at a traditional Japanese place. The restaurant recommended on TripAdvisor is completely full. A few streets away, we find a nice alternative. In a private room, we sample various sushi dishes. The fresh fish is excellent.
Buddhist Sensoji Temple
Japan - We leave the park to have a beer at its edge. It’s warm again today. There are a few light clouds. Rain is predicted during the night, which might bring some cooling. For now, we seek some relief along the Sumida River. The Senso-ji Temple is located ...
Himeji Castle
Japan - We drive to Himeji via the toll road. Himeji is home to the largest surviving feudal castle. The castle tower is especially impressive. From the outside it appears to have five floors, but inside there are six levels. This was intended to mislead attackers. ...
The center of Osaka
Japan - After just half an hour, the train pulls into Osaka station. My hostel is within walking distance, but I can’t get my bearings to figure out which direction to go. A kind lady at the information desk draws it out for me on a map. Hostel HIVE is located ...
The Itsukushima Shrine near Hatsukaichi
Japan - The heat and lack of sleep are taking their toll. I go in search of a toilet. Again, there are girls who want to practice their English. Fortunately, they’re also happy to show me where the toilet is. On the way, they ask me a few questions. I don’t ...
The Memorial Park in Hiroshima
Japan - At half past five, we leave Hotel Quel. After some deliberation, we decided to just drive into Hiroshima by car. The alternative of taking a train seemed difficult to manage at such an early hour—especially when you're unsure where to go or where to ...
The temples of Kyoto
Japan - The Toji Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto and, at 55 meters high, it boasts the tallest pagoda in Japan. The pagoda is the symbol of the city of Kyoto. Unfortunately, we can’t view the pagoda from the inside. It is only open during special ...