THE GREAT TOKYO ESCAPE

It's been a month full of visitors and travel, and it's beginning to dawn on me that my time in Japan is all too quickly coming to a close. James and Erin left last week, Nate and Roz leave tomorrow and Dicky K (aka: my dad) arrives next week to help wrap-up the single most fabulous experience of my life.







Spending time in the vast areas outside of Tokyo has made this month truly amazing. The trip began with time in the small mountain town of Takayama: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takayama,_Gifu where we were given a welcome relief from both the heat and hustle of Tokyo.
Then it was time for the culture of Osaka, a city completely rebuilt post WWII destruction, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka.
Finally, a chance to take in the history and tastefully modern neighborhoods of Kyoto by bike: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto. I fell in love with Kyoto, the perfect Tokyo escape with quaint alleyways full of boutiques, restaurants, bars and local flavor including Geisha sightings and taps on the shoulder from locals who just wanted to smile and welcome you. Links below will take you through some of the extensive photos from these recent trips. Next week comes pictures from Fuji, Hiroshima, Nara and much more!

Visitors: Nate and Roz from NYC
Destinations: Tokyo, Takayama, Osaka, Kyoto
A taste in pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/CannaKendall/TakayamaMarketsTemplesOsakaCastleKyotoCharm

Visitors: Erin (San Francisco) & James (Hawaii)
Destinations: Tokyo, Kyoto & Fuji
A taste in pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/CannaKendall/FishMarket

I will never forget a 5am outing to the Tsukiji Fish market, the largest in the world with Erin and James. It is here where 1 billion + yen is exchanged daily through various fish auctions and market purchases. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukiji_fish_market
Tuna bigger than the average Japanese person, sea creatures I've never seen before (let alone put to my lips), and the best sushi I've ever had for breakfast at 5:30am complete with Kirin beer.

Japan is great, but sharing it with those I love has made this experience complete.