BITS AND PIECES OF JAPAN

03/JAN/2002

OSAKA

[Giant Crab]

One of the symbols in Dotonbori `Eat-till-you-drop' Street.

[Clown]

Another famous symbol in Dotonbori `Eat-till-you-drop' Street.

[Glico Man]

You can see this famous sign from Ebisu `Pick-up-a-woman' Bridge.

[Lobster Catcher]

This is a lobster-catcher machine: you put in a coin and control the arm up in the air to grab a living (yes, real living) lobster. If you can catch one successfully, that's yours and you can bring it back home and eat it.

`Japanese. Very cruel race.' Yes, I think we are, Bridget's mum.

KYOTO

[Ginkaku Temple]

This is culture. Built in the late 15th century. Reflects the Zen culture prominent at the period.

[Kinkaku Temple (Golden Pavilion)]

Foreigners' favourite. Built in the early 15th century (burned down and rebuilt in the mid-20th century).

[Kinkaku Temple (Golden Pavilion) 2]

From another viewpoint.

[Dragongfly on a Bamboo Fence]

Rare sight in winter.

[Ryoanji]

This is a famous Zen garden with 15 rocks surrounded by white gravel. You are supposed to sit in front of this garden for hours in order to find your own answer to the questions it poses. But, alas, most likely your deep thoughts will be interrupted by young kids yelling and running around and the incessant stream of tourists.

[JR Kyoto Station]

JR Kyoto Station is itself a tourist site. Go up and up the never-ending elevators and walk the mid-air pathway commanding a good view of the north side of Kyoto City.

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