Bye bye Tokyo

Today we leave Tokyo.

First we packed our bags to leave with the concierge. Then we went out with the Turners to see Asimo and have lunch at Joel Rubichon. Unfortunately, he was full so we went upstairs to a soba restaurant.

After we left them to get on the shinkansen to Kyoto, we did our last shopping expedition to Cat Street Marmmut, Patagonia and those types.

Got the bus to the airport and left.

Clothes I

I was driving along when a lady caught my attention. She looked like a dance or gym teacher; a slim Chinese lady. Then I realised I thought she was Chinese and not Japanese. I did not make this distinction from her facial features. It was her clothes: she was wearing a singlet top with gym pants that didnt leave much unnoticed. This seemed to mark her as a foreigner and not Japanese.

I looked around and realised, Japanese people are prudish in their dressing. To keep warm in winter and keep the sun from their skins in summer, we never see their skin. They wear 2 layers most times a inner shirt and a coat. The outer coat always makes them presentable. Never a T shirt and jeans kind of culture.

Save Bastion Point: result

The minister has decided to go ahead with building a wall to upgrade the boat ramp.

The 178 page EES Inquiry report, and the Minister's 14 page justification for ignoring it, can be found at:

http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenpl.nsf/LinkView/A684ED3F5775D64DCA256F2A000EDE6592FBC7C133A6F520CA2572DA007FAB8B

Our Media release is attached, and is also available from our website.

The Ministers media release is at http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for-planning/safety-first-for-new-bastion-point-boat-ramp.html

Tokyo Tower

Views from Tokyo Tower

Crayon rocks

Crayon rocks

These are the most adorable portable crayons I've ever seen. Cute huh? and beautiful. Perfect for traveling.

Added 11 Sep 2011: I bought some!!! for Jun - he can practise drawing with these soon. 

Nagasaki Peace Memorial Hall for Atomic Bomb Victims

Everyone who was in the city died within 3 years of the bomb blast. A few who lived in the surrounding areas survived to tell the tales. Many who visited Nagasaki in the following 2 years were affected by the radioactivity of the surrounds.

The city was flattened except for the church and metal objects.

Anpanman Museum, Kochi City

A wonderful museum! Although a small museum, it was just right for small children.

Designed by Nobuyaki Furuya and got a commondation from the 2000 Annual Architectural Design Commondation.

You enter into the large space which seems to be the size of the building. There are the inviting steps to the next floor. Tiny children with parents are milling around, looking on the exhibits on the floor and reading the books from the creatively located bookshelves. I recognise the stairs from the promotional photo. Up we go!

The top floor had originals from the creator of Anpanman, Takashi Yanase.

We follow the path that leads us via a corridor on the outer wall, outside on the 2nd floor, inside again through the narrowest staircase with special exhibits to the welcoming entrance hall.

Where next? We spot another door. It leads us to the basement. Aha - the children's floor. All the exhibits are children size. Small, cute, and full of anpanman, baikinman, a bakery, details of their vehicles and a large space with ALL the anpanman characters.

Miraculously we didnt have to visit the shop, as Nathan was happy with the shoplet at the restaurant.

There is a hotel within the grounds, and more buildings, a swimming pool and sculptures to explore. 1 hour and lunch there, was enough the satisfy Nathan while we got on our way.