Taipei, A Street View

A street view of Taipei out of our bus window as we travelled along. This part of town looked a little old and also busy.

A View

This was another view of Keelung that we had we had from our ship. We were on a tour today, and I had hoped that we would visit this temple (or whatever) high on this hill. Unfortunately not, but more about that later. At the moment, I was just enjoying this view before breakfast.

Okinawa Views

Some views of Okinawa now, taken from the walls of the Shurijo Castle.

Unfortunately my photos are still very green. I have yet to discover the camera setting had changed.

Osaka By Night

This was the view of Osaka as we sailed out of the harbour. Possibly taken from the Outrigger Bar, situated outside, at the rear of  Diamond Princess. As a group we had decided that this would be our meeting place for pre-dinner drinks. From here it was off to dinner in the Vivaldi Restraunt, including a starter of fresh pineapple infused with mint, chilli, and tequila, and a cold soup of apple, cinnamon and cider. Mm.......mm.

Osaka

A view of Osaka now from the other side of the ship. We did go for a walk, but it was a walk of discovery around the beautiful Diamond Princess. There were still people on board, but a lot had gone on shore so it was a good time to explore.

It was in this walk that we found the ice- cream parlour!

Sailing Into The Port of Osaka

The Port of Osaka is one of the main ports in Japan, situated within Osaka Bay. It has become  one of the major ports in Asia.

This was the view from our cabin balcony as we slipped into the Port of Osaka.

Sailing - Yokohama

We were finally on board the Diamond Princess and this was the view from our cabin balcony .

Sailing from the port of Yokohama, we were leaving later than scheduled.

Yokohama's central business district, affectionately known as MM. ( Minato Mirai 21)

Yokohama is a Japan's second largest city, sitting on the edge of Tokyo Bay.

The sun is getting low with the promise of some great sunset pics

Tokyo Roads

A view of one of the roads in Tokyo, taken more for inspiration for my needlework than anything else. It was taken through the window of the lift as we headed down stairs to find lunch. It was our last day in Tokyo today, tomorrow we start a new adventure.

Across the Sumida River

A view now across the Sumida River to construction happening. I found the shadows interesting on the buildings, and have come to the conclusion it is painted that way, or has something to do with the construction of the building. It appears to have sections protruding outwards, forming the curved line. It can be plainly seen on the sides of the building too, making me think it is construction rather than paint. I wonder if this is just a design feature of if there is some functional purpose?

Tea House Garden Pt 4

A view down over the lake now, with it's own little viewing house. Such a quiet secluded spot.

Tokyo Tower Views Pt 7

Looking north east now with glimpses of the Sumida River.

Tokyo Tower Views Pt 6

A little further around towards the south and we get still more views of Tokyo Bay. This one includes the Rainbow Bridge, a suspension bridge which crosses the northern section of Tokyo Bay.

Tokyo Tower Views Pt 5

Looking more to the south now and we get glimpses of Tokyo Bay. Note the glare? That is the sun, and yes we are facing south. That was the thing that I found the hardest to get my head around. We were in the northern hemisphere, and the sun travelled across the southern sky. At home it is always in the northern sky. Interesting.

Tokyo Tower Views Pt 4

Moving still further around the observation deck of Tokyo Tower is this view of the mountains as they stretch south west. The mountains are  part of the Japanese Alps, which run down this main island of Hunshu. They divide the island in half, and there are a few peaks ( including Mt Fuji) over 3,000 meters  high that are volcanic. Lucky there were no earthquakes or volcano's erupting while we were in Japan

Tokyo Tower Views Pt 3

Still further around the observation deck of Tokyo Tower we get a clear view to the mountains. The bump, just left of center, is Mt Fuji. It was one of those rare clear days and we got to see the mountain. There is also that constant sea of high rise.

Tokyo Tower Views Pt 2

Further around the tower observation deck we get this view with the mountains in the distance. I can see some green spaces, and that building with the balcony gardens must be fairly new. Great idea.

Tokyo Tower Views Pt 1

Tokyo skyline on a very clear day I am not sure what any of the buildings are but we sure can see the amount of high rise today. Like here at home, the next day after a storm is always beautiful. This particular day was the day after the typhoon that wasn't. Clear and a little cool.It let us see for miles.

As a stitcher, I can see some great inspiration in this skyline. I see some creative drawn thread happening sometime in the future.

Tokyo - A Street View

A street view of Tokyo taken from a bus window. We were now on a bus tour to see the city highlights. Another full day tour, so another busy day with a good night's sleep at the end.

This was the view as we left the tour company headquarters. Similar to most modern cities, tall buildings, fire escapes, new buildings being constructed. Also interesting to note the Japanese drive on the left hand side of the road the same as we do here in Australia.

Tokyo Skyline

Finally a clear day! The typhoon had gone taking all the rain with it, and this was the view that we were left with. This pic was taken through  the window of the foyer in our hotel. Yes, that is a fairly clear Mt Fuji in the background. Mt Fuji, over 12,000 feet in height, the tallest mountain in Japan, and over 100 kms from Tokyo.

Kyoto Station - The View From The Roof with Typhoons

We did make it up all those escalators I spoke of yesterday, to check out the view from the top. There was a clear barrier ( glass or perspex I am not sure) so the view was not inhibited, but what it did give was raindrops and reflections.

Yes it was raining that day, the beginnings of a typhoon. It was all over the news & I was on the understanding that we were heading away from it. Someone informed me that we were heading right into it. Mmmm....... if anyone really knows me they will know that storms are my phobia, and to hear that we were heading into the typhoon set me into a mild panic. I need not to have worried, as if the rain & wind we went through was a typhoon, then Japan has nothing on Sydney's thunderstorms. Yes it was wet and rainy, and wetter and more heavy as we headed into Tokyo, but I have seen worse, much, much worse. It was nothing that a little umbrella and my trusty poncho could not handle.