konnichiwa from japan, sorry it's taken us a while to start our journal up, we've been having some issues with the website and lack of net access. we started out in tokyo and what a way to start. the weather was scorchio, we got to the hostel and dumped our packs and went exploring.we were staying in a district called asakusa which we loved. the hostel was in a great location just two minutes from subway station, a very nice (and cheap ) restaurant around the corner and a wicked market not far where we spent hours. you all know what dan is like with shopping!! the next day we set off early and started the tour of tokyo starting with the fish market which when in full flow is meant to be a great experience. unfortunately it was shut! next we made our way to ginza which is a the place to do some serious shopping, didn't stay there too long. next was the imperial palace and gardens, couldn't go in the palace but wandered through the gardens which was very pleasant. after this we cooled off at an amazing water garden which had a collection of fountains, much needed in the heat. after freshening up in the evening we found the bar thats a part of our hostel group and got our free drink then had a few more. cool bar with some very dodgy karaoke. next day we went to a lovely place called nikko and stayed in a traditional japanese ryoken. tatami floors and wearing just a yakuta (cotton kimono) and took an onsen mega hot japanese bath. visited a world heritage site which consisted of the shrine of the most famous shogun of all takagawa iyeyasu . this was such a cool place very mystical and spiritual. our one night in yokahama was spent getting lost round china town and trying to get out, we made it in the end. we have just arrived in kyoto. will be in touch soon with some photos . miss you all. lots of love mike and dan xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx