Last change

We changed to our last town Osaka. Nothing special to say. The main train staion is huge o_o
Got a bad sunburn. And I am really tired. Mata ne ~

[ah and we cancelled Koya-san. We are really sad about that but it doesn't work T^T]

Nara [奈良] and a mistake

After we visited the 'torii' in Kyoto we took our lugage back and left Kyoto to Nara. As we sat in the train we wanted to look about our hotels name on the booking sheet. And we recognized a bad mistake. We booked the hotel on the wrong date (one day to early). So we didn't have a hotel !!! A short panic atack later we arrived at Nara sation and walked straight to the tourist information. And there we booked a new hotel. We were very relieved !!
And the new hotel was awesome!!!!! We've got a wonderfull japanese style room (ryokan). And the man and his wife were so nice. Thank you a lot for this wonderful (short) time.
Nara is famous for his deers. So we went to watch them. They were so cute..and they are everywhere..totally free !! :) We also watched some beautiful temples. This architecture !!
On this two days there was a dancing festival. We missed it at the first night but we saw a little bit about it on next days afternoon. It was so hot but they danced amazing. I really liked it.
Nara is a beautifull town full of peace I think...and deers xD
Visit if you can :)

Dancers

Our wonderfull room

A free deer ^^

A temple builidng

Dancers again

Beautiful Kyōto [京都]

Well...Kyoto is so beautiful !! Really.
We tried to make a plan where to go..but that didn't work because there are more than 1200 temples and shrines. So we decided to visit the famous bamboo garden, the Gion and the 'torii'. And some temples wich are on our way ^^
Because we just had one day we had to hurry up. So after breakfast we searched for the bus to the bamboo garden. After we arrived at the quater we recognized that the area was really big and full of temples and old gardens and houses. So we searched for half an hour but finally we found it. And it was soooooo awesome. Really. We planed to stay there just for max. two hours..after four hours we went back and decided to went to the 'torii'. But then it started to rain. Really heavy. And it didn't stop!! So we had to cancel our plans.
The next day was check out day. But the hotel allowed us to store our lugage for some hours at the hotel.  So we hurried up and went to visit the Gion area. It isn't so great in the morning but the architecture ist great!! But we didn't see a Geisha or a Maiko :(
After that we finally visited the 'torii' it was so awesome. Because after we arrived it stopped raining and the sun came out. Do you know the 'torii'? I think so!
Ah and we bought something special for low price.
Look at my pictures ;D

Our special bought  - Which is mine? :)

A little part of a beautifull japanese temple garden

Part of the Bamboo Garden

A modern thing - the Kyoto Tower

a little bit Gion

Famous 'torii' - There are so many gates that all together would give a way of 4 km

From the buissnes city Nagoya to the historic city Kyoto

We left early in the morning Nagoya because we've didn't know how long it will take to go to Kyoto by bus. It was interessing how the landscape changed again. In Kawaguchiko it was like a big forest full of big old trees. On the way to Nagoya I saw so many bamboo and rice fields. Amazing :D

After we arrived we searching for our hotel...again...and got help from other persons because we were lost...again ^^'

At this place I want to say 'THANK YOU' to all the people who helped us since now !!

After our Check In (the hotel is relly nice - and cheap) we went to eat. It was so god !!

Then we walked a little bit around at this area but not to long. Now it's relaxing time :)

Bai Bai Kawaguchiko - Ohayo Nagoya

We finally arrived at Nagoya. There is nothing special to say about it, because it's just a stop between. But we used the Shinkansen...so fast Ö_Ö
And many people said that Nagoya is so boring. But I think it isn't. 
There are many companys but also nice shopping streets.
Well that's it ^^
Bai Bai

Hanabi [ 花火 ]

I wrote that we stayed in a dormitory for seven people in our first hotel. The first night we were alone. At next days afternoon we've got our roommates. Four boys and one girl. And there were all Japanese. So we didn't talk to each other. Just 'Hello'..

Later Lucy and I went to a Supermarket to buy something for dinner. After that we searching for a bench near the Lake and ate. If we wanted to go home we met some people and they said: Hey we are roommates. At the first moment we were not able to see their faces because it was to dark. But then we saw and remembered them. Their English wasn't that good..like our Japanese. But they were so friendly and invited us to 'Hanabi' [Firework]. We were totally surprised. They said at the moment is the time for praying for all the dead people so there are many celebrations and fireworks in the whole country. At the beach we finally have Hanabi. It was so nice and beautiful ** Thank you for this No.1 cute Hanabi * laugh *

After that we went back to the hotel were we sit long time together and talked a lot and we had some Japanese snacks and drinking stuff.

It's really interesting how different the people are. Our 'Crazy Man' (called Takashi) drove around whole japan by motor cycle – in 21 days. Another one is going to climb up Mt. Fuji. We were all from different places and actually countries. But it was really much fun. Big big big 'ARIGATOU' to: Mariko-chan, Takashi-san, Masashi-san, Yoshiyuki-san and Saeki-san !!!!!

Name sheet and drawing shit xD

yummy :3

Takashi-Masashi-Mariko-Yoshiyuki-Lucy (Saeki is missing) <3

Kawaguchiko [河口湖]

Hey !!

At the moment we stay at Kawaguchiko. It's a town near Mt. Fuji. There are five lakes surrounding the mountain. Our lake is Kawaguchiko Lake...creative, ne? ^^ On our first day after arrival we rented some bikes and wanted to drive to Mt. Fuji. But we've lost the orientation and so we turned back. We drove around a bit in Kawaguchiko. There are so many beautiful houses. I love this Japanese architecture!!

We went home and met our new roommates [extra entry °-°] !!
Next day we changed hotel. Because we were to early for check in we rented bikes again. We wanted to drive a bit around the lake...but the weather was so nice that we drove around Kawaguchiko Lake and Saiko Lake [it's the neighbour Lake]. At Saiko Lake we visited a Bat Cave. It's located in a wonderful forest.

Aaaaaand we finally saw FUJI-SAN !!!

...we turned back with a bad sunburn ^^'

Wonderful piece of nature

Beautiful Architecture

Part of the Kawaguchiko Lake

Nice place to realx

Mt. Fuji :D

Change of plans

Because it's to complicated to go to Tsumago/Magome we decided to stay one more day in Kawaguchiko. So we booked a new hotel and after that we will go to Nagoya.

Sayonara Tokyo – Konnichiwa Kawaguchiko

We left Tokyo early after breakfast. After we found out where we have to go we're waited for the train. They really leave in time! I bought my first Bento. It was so cute and tasty (I just don't eat the fish). After one hour we have to change train in Otsuki. With the Fuji Express we went to Kawaguchiko. The landscape outside of the train was rlly beautiful. But we couldn't see much of the mountains because it was so foggy. After a little more than two hour since we left Tokyo we arrived at Kawaguchiko. Somebody from our next hotel picked us up. What a service! After our Check-In we went to our room. It is a dormitory for seven people. But for the first night we were alone. I was so sleepy so I took a nap. Our hotel is next to the Kawaguchiko Lake. So Lucy took a walk. After half an hour I am going to find some coffee. We met each other at the hotel and going to have dinner. But all Restaurants were closed!! So we bought some sandwiches from supermarket and ate them near the lake. There we could see some small fireworks. So nice :)

And the police visited us. We were shocked for the first moment, but there were really friendly and I think they just control places around the lake.

Kawaguchiko is a really quiet place. Different from Tokyo. But full of nature. Beautiful !!

Beautifull Landscape (Ricefields)

Our Dormitory

My first Bento **

Last night at Tokyo / Ikebukuro

Most awesome night ever ! ! !

We decided to film a bit that night. And all people begun to make such stupid moves. Also the hosts!! They smiled and waved and danced and one of them did a back-flip for us. That was so cool. We don't know your name but – WE LOVE YOU <3 * laugh *

I think all the people thought we were drunk because we were giggling all the time. But we had so much fun about nothing :) And all the time people kept saying hello to our camera (and all this hostboys loved the cam most . . I think). We went to a game hall and I won a gloomy bear. After that we again ´made puricuras. I love this pictures ^^

Lucy wanted a gloomy bear too but she didn't make it. Then a nice guy won it for her. Thank you, now she's happy. He spoke really good english and so we had a talk and then he invited us to a japanese pub. It was so awesome. It's not a pub as usual it's like this japanese restaurants in movies. I cannot describe it. And I were not allowed to take a photo of it. But I know where I have to go when I come back to Tokyo !! Thank you A-san (sorry I forgot your name it was to complicated for me^^') for this nice ending. So this was our last night..we had much much fun :D

[If I am able to upload the 'Backflipping Host' video I will do it. If not.. sorry]

See ya next time in Kawaguchiko \(^_^)/

Two Days With EMMY (Tokyo & Yokohama)

Hello !!

I will tell you something about Emmy and our two days with her.

She is a relative of Lucy´s and lives in Tokyo. Quiet a wonderful person.

Before our journey to Japan we didn't know much about her. Lucy just got a letter with her phone number and the question if we wanna meet her. Of course !! She called her and we promised to connect her once we are in Japan.

After we arrived in Tokyo we tried to connect her but the number was wrong. So we connected a friend of us and got the right number. Finally we were able to phone her. She said that we could meet the next day and she would send us a fax about where we had to go so she could pick us up by car.

Day I

Well at this day we had our first contact with the tube. First problem - we could not read Japanese and we didn't know how to use the Ticket machine. But again some people helped us and finally we arrived at the right station where she picked us up. After the first real contact we drove to her flat. She has a beautiful Panorama – I liked it so much !!

Then we went out to get lunch. We ate 'Tonkatsu'. That was so yummy ** I am rlly in love with this cinnamon sauce. After that we went to a museum for traditional japanese art of animals. I don't know that much about art, but I am rlly amazed 'bout the beauty of this simple pictures. I bought some cards :3

Then she took as to the Meiji Shrine near the center of Tokyo. And it was so quiet and beautiful there. I was so surprised about that. The Shrine was rlly huge and the area even more ^^'

But we didn´t stay there for a long time because it was so hot. It was over 36° !! So we bought some ice and went to Harajuku. There we had the possibility to go into the cold shops. After a little bit of walking we said goodbye. But with the promise to phone her the next evening.

This day was so amazing and I love Harajuku because there are so many shops (and the guys who photographed us because we are Europeans) * laugh *

Day II

After the Shibuya-Day we meet her again. We wanted to visit Yokohama. It's a town near Tokyo. So we took the tube. There is a China Town in Yokohama and this was our first stop. We walked around, tasted some Chinese food and were amazed 'bout the colorful temples and gates. It's different from Japanese temples and gates. They are mostly naturally wooden. After China Town we went to Landmark Tower. We took the elevator to the 69. floor (over 750 m) and – BOOM – we had a beautiful panorama. Also without good weather. Then Emmy took us back to Tokyo to the quarter called 'Ginza'. It is also called the japanese answer to the 5^th avenue at America. There are so many shopping centers (and some rlly expensive ones) so you don't know where to go first. My favorite store was a music store where I could get all and everything. So I bought CD's and a present for someone ;3

At least we traveled to 'Ebisu'. The name is from one of the ten gods of Budah Religion. Ebisu is the god of happiness :DDD

And actually we were happy cause we were going to eat some Ramen. It was so tasty !! And I wanted to try japanese beer but they just had bottles .. well so I tried the whole bottle (½ L) xD But it was really god. I recommend 'Sapporo' beer to everyone who visits japan.

Then we had to say goodbye because on the next day we had to leave Tokyo rlly early. So last photos together and then 'Bye Bye!'.

Emmy is such a beautiful person. She is full of live and energy – and that with 86 years !!! Wow Ö___Ö If I ever should get as old as her I wanna be like her :D Thank you for this two amazing days. We love you!!! This entry is for you. Hope to see you soon in Germany <3

 Part of the Meiji Shrine

 Beginning of famous Harajuku shopping street

 A Temple in Chinatown [Yokohama]

 Part of the 360° Panorama at Landmark Tower [Yokohama]

 Ginza - no cars on weekend 

 My first real japanese Ramen - yummy :)

 Lucy/Emmy/Me - Thank You :DDD

And this ist Ebisu, the god of happines

Shibuya [ 渋谷 ]

Hello !!

I want to write a little bit about Shibuya. After a shopping day in Ikebukuro we went there.

Since we arrived there it was dark. But that was ok 'cause there are so many sparkling lights and video boards that it just was awesome. In Shibuya is this famous intersection. I often seen it in films but I never thougth that it rlly is like that. There are so many people crossing the streets - and that every few minutes. Then again cars, people, cars and so on. Seen from above, a singele mad bustle. But it's totally amazing :D

We're took a walk around the area and discovered Puricura machines. We were confused by the whole system, but then some girls helped us and finally we've got our pictures :3 They are so sweet !!

We want to look around a little bit more..but we lost the orientation... And sure enough we landend on a street full of love hotels. After we recognized that we still run and - yayy - we found back. After that shock we're having some coffee. Shibuya is huge. But we were to tired to doing anything else. So we went home. But still with nice Pictures :D

 Without people . . .

 . . . and with people !!

 One street of Shibuya - it's sparkling everywhere

One of our Puris' - they are cute aren't they :3

Ikebukuro [ 池袋 ]

Welcome to Tokyo !!

After we arrived we've took the bus to Ikebukuro, where our hotel is.

We need long time to find it because there was a mistake at our map, but we found friendly people who helpted us (and everywhere are 'you are here'-maps from the part of the town) !!

Our hotel is rlly nice. Good price, good location and friendly english speaking staff.

[The hotel is called 'Sakura Hotel' - I recommend it to everyone]

If u want to go shopping it's the right part of town.

In Ikebukuro you can find the Sunshine Building. It's a big shopping center where you can find all end everything including a aquarium and a planetarium. We wantetd to go to the aquarium but the queue was so long that we go shopping for more than six hours.

In the evening we went around at the streets from Ikebukuro. There are so many little shops, restaurants - and many many lights. It doesn't matter if it's night or day - there are always many ppl on the road. And they are loud. But that's okay..and funny because we don't understand anything ^^"

We went to an English Pub..just for fun and found 'Paulaner Weißbier *laugh*

In the evening are sometimes musicians on the street. Mostly young rock/pop bands. I rlly like them. One of them is 'MarletMine'. They are so nice and friendly. I bought a CD from them and they were verry happy - good luck guys. You are awesome (^_^)/ 

I found a shop full of clothes and music that I like. I bought so much MUCC merch. Totally in love with it because it is all so cheap !!

A bit of general: It was rlly strange at the beginning but all ppl starring on us. You feel always discreetly observed. But you get used to it ^_^°

I like this town. I'm excited 'bout the last few days.

 a street in Ikebukuro at night - have a look at this amazing floor

 some small shopping centers at Ikebukuro

There are many clubs and restaurants

'MarletMine' - love them :3

Arrived in Japan

After many many many many hours of flight we're just arrived at our hotel.
We traveld with the bus from Narita Airport to Ikebukuro.
I am really amazed by all that helpfull people.
But it's so hot, and we have jetlag .. so we will take a shower now and relax.
Bai Bai :-)

                                           Sunrise over the clouds

                                          Welcome !

                                          Our first food and cell phone

In some days..

Only six days until departure to Japan.
I'm really excited.
Hopefully everything works.
Tomorrow I will start with the preparations and perhaps even to pack a part.
We'll see.