The Boys Trip to Japan - July 2005

Alexander and I had a wonderful time in Japan.  We met many kind and friendly people. Many spoke English.  Many did not.  We managed with my rusty Japanese tho.  I was surprised at how much came back to me.  I took as many photos as Alexander would allow (I did not want to embarrass him too much).  While we could not schedule a time to climb Mt. Fuji (we will just have to schedule another trip one day), we did manage to see a bit of Japan at our own pace.  I think Alexander enjoyed the trip.  I know I did.   - Dan Guy

Just unpacked in our room at the Dai-Ichi Hotel. Now, looking for food!

Our first morning in Tokyo. Where else would we go? Akihabara!

Akihabara

Akihabara

After a morning of walking around Akihabara, a cool drink in the hotel lobby. Lemon Squash.

This is the house where I lived from 1974 to 1979 in Kumagawa (Fussa-shi). Most of the other houses in the area were boarded up. Sad.

The old house.

After searching all over Fussa for where I used to live, we finally eat in a small resturant back in Tokyo.

Alexander is a happy boy. He found a vending machine with 500ml Cokes. 150 Yen.

Early morning, walking down Ginza.

The Victor lable has not been part of RCA for many years.

Walking from the Kamakura train station to see the Great Budda.

Alexander and the Great Budda.

The Great Budda.

Behind the Great Budda.

The back of the Great Budda. Stairs to the windows (inside) were closed.

Inside the Great Budda.

Just leaving the Great Budda.

Walking down the street from the Great Budda. Here I have forgotten a turn and Alexander is just about to turn us around.

Now we are on the right road back to Kamakura Station (and lunch!).

On the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya.

Time for an Ice Cream (chocolate mint) break in Utsunomiya Station while waiting for the train to Nikko.

One of the Nikko train stations (not the one we arrived in). We are having a great lunch before we start walking around the Toshogu area.

The bridge to Toshogu.

The bridge to Toshogu.

Entrance marker.

Entrance to Toshogu.

Nikko

Foggy Day in Nikko.

Foggy Day in Nikko.

Nikko

Three Monkies. Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Nikko

Alexander in the hall of the Dai-Ichi Hotel

Too hot to make it to the Tokyo Tower.

Waiting for the train at Shimbashi Station.

Waiting for the train at Shimbashi Station.

Hot, Hot day in Tokyo.

Last breakfast before leaving Tokyo. The best grapes Alexander has ever tasted!

Alexander, Tamami (our friend and helper in the Hotel) and me as we get ready to leave for the Narita Airport. We had a great time!