What more could I want from a walk up a sacred mountain...a cable car for the first steep part, an attractive temple and great views of Fuji-san. By now it's getting humid so up in the mountains there is some relief.
Friday, 22 June 2007
Visiting Tsukiji Fish Market
Frozen tuna
One of the largest wholesale fish markets in the world, this market begins at about 3 am (one of my goals is to get there early...)
One of the largest wholesale fish markets in the world, this market begins at about 3 am (one of my goals is to get there early...)
Theres so much happening, wheelbarrows and carts flying, hawkers shouting, knives chopping.
Anything thats edible from the sea can be found as it is all actioned off. Fish come from Africa, America and as we know NZ waters....
I have never tasted fish so fresh as I have here, the sushi breakfast at the market was out of this world. Raw fish is delicious it melts in my mouth.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Forests in Japan
Forests of beech. silver fir, broad leaf ever greens and mangroves once carpeted Japan. However with postwar economic boom and construction these forests have mainly been decimated. Now we have cedar and cypress untended with the flood of imported timber.
Around 67% of Japan is forested, 40% is commercial plantations and the country has come close to losing its most spectacular natural forests.
There were 206 endangered species (listed in 1991) due to hunting, habitat destruction and environmental pollution. This includes the Iriomote wild cat, the shorttailed albatross and the Japanese otter.
I saw this sign propped up outside a school.
No tree huggers please, you arent allowed to touch them.
Mum in Japan
Mum had a wonderful time here. It's not possible to see everything Japan has to offer in one trip but we had a go at it while she was here.
Most all she enjoyed the people. As I am always getting hopelessly lost we had to endlessly stop and ask the way. People went way out of their way to help. The Japanese are kind and thoughtful with an eye for beauty in their architecture, gardens and bonzai as well as the food. She got the royal treatment at my school where she was given a sushi lunch and courted by the staff and children.
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