We took a lot of photos on our 4 week trip across Japan so there will be a few blog posts to follow once we catch up with our processing.

We started in Tokyo and after a day trip to Nikko Park, we headed to Jigokudani (Hell’s Valley) in the Japanese alps to see the snow monkeys.  From there we travelled to Matsumoto before joining the ancient Nakasendo hiking trail, walking from Nagiso to Otsumago ending at Magome. We then continued by train to Takayama then Kanazawa and then Hiroshima.  From there we went to Kyoto before travelling up Mount Koya and then ending with a few days in Osaka.  Our itinerary mostly comprised places of which we knew little or nothing – and unless you’ve been there, you may feel the same.  We hope that our blog posts and photos will help to bring these wonderful places alive – it will certainly indulge us as we relive that incredible month.

So, starting with Tokyo.  We arrived, tired after our long flight but excited to explore.  The drive to our hotel in the Tokyo bay area took us past some interesting architecture

and the view up the the river from our hotel was pretty impressive.

We loved the skyscrapers and high towers

but we also loved the contrasts of old and new for instance at Hamarikyu Gardens

and indeed, the narrow old streets of Golden Gai

and restaurants down dark alleys.

Walking about at night, the street scenes

and  huge adverts reminded us of scenes from Bladerunner.

Perhaps this is what inspired Paul’s double exposure shots

He was also fascinated by the sculptural fire-escapes and their shadows

while Lynn’s attention was drawn to the lights.

We had a mix of weather over the trip including some rain in Tokyo allowing a few umbrella shots.

We hope you enjoy this first glimpse of our photos of Japan – next blog post will feature our photos of the people of Tokyo.

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