CXX - Kyoto

Kyōto-tawā (京都タワー, Kyoto Tower) is Kyoto's observation tower. Its steel spire is 131metres tall and stands atop a 9-story building, making it the tallest structure in the city.

The building stands right opposite Kyoto Station and also houses restaurants, stores, a spa, and a 3-star hotel, Kyoto Tower Hotel, where we stayed for four nights. If you don't mind the somewhat-80's-vibe coming from the hotel furniture, I'd recommend it, as the location is incredibly convenient in terms of catching public transport, the central bus station being right between the hotel and the train station.

Plus, you get a free ticket for the tower's observation deck!,

CXIX - Tokyo

Another tasty bento! This time it's a vegetarian one, bought at Tokyo station while waiting for the shinkansen to take me to Kyoto. Little rice balls flavoured with shiso furikake (紫蘇ふりかけ, a purple-mint seasoning), tasty grilled vegetables and a few slices of fresh fruit... oishii (美味しい, "delicious")!!

CXVIII - Tokyo

... you knew this was coming, right? The (in)famous Japanese toilet.

This futuristic piece of bathroom technology allows the user to choose between a light sprinkle and a heavy-duty squirt of water to cleanse their nether-regions, naturally both in the exact temperature of their choice.

CXVII - Tokyo

Nightlife in Shibuya.

CXVI - Tokyo

Billboards, somewhere in Shibuya.

CXV - Tokyo

The shamisen (三味線) is a three-stringed fretless musical instrument which is played with a large plectrum called a bachi (撥). It is a very traditional instrument, dating back to the 16th century, and is probably best known to us gaijin as one of the instruments which maiko (舞子) learn as part of their training to become geiko (芸子) — or geisha (芸者).

I was pleasantly surprised to find this talented young man playing rock tunes on his shamisen at one of the exits of Shibuya station!

CXIV - Tokyo

Kani Doraku (かに道楽, lit. "crab indulgence") is the name of the best known crab restaurant in Japan.

There are many outlets throughout the country, each of which is marked by a huge mechanical crab moving its pincers, legs and eyestalks!

Pictured is the Shinjuku one.

CXIII - Tokyo

... and again!

CXII - Tokyo

More neon signs.

CXI - Tokyo

Neon signs in Tokyo.

CX - Tokyo

A view of Tokyo's famous レインボーブリッジ (Rainbow Bridge), taken from the terrace of a restaurant on the artificial island of Odaiba (お台場) in Tokyo Bay.

You can also see the 東京タワー (Tokyo Tower) in the background!

CIX - Tokyo

Taken from Shinbashi Eki (新橋駅, Shimbashi station) at nighttime.

CVIII - Tokyo

No visit to the acquarium is complete without watching the dolphin show!

CVII - Tokyo

The aquarium celebrated the release of Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated film, Gake no Ue no Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ, "Ponyo on the Cliff"), by setting up special tanks with fishes and toys from the movie.