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Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

November 1, 2015 by David Herd

EmQuartier

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok opened in March 2015 & I’m blown away by the amazing food hall at this new shopping mall opposite the Emporium. I never thought I would say it but Bangkok now rivals Tokyo with the highest quality food presentation in the world.

Street Food Fair

Everything I saw was simply top quality.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok food hall

There are dozens of restaurants, offices, event halls and a nice atrium garden featuring a waterfall. There’s direct access from Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain and walkway to the original Emporium mall across the road.

au bon pain

One of my favourite coffee chains, I often have breakfast at the Pattaya branch, a bacon & egg croissant & a medium latte.

Wonderful liquor store

Way back in the 80s I owned a liquor in Sydney, it looked nothing like this. 🙂

Nice to see my favorite Australian wine here.

Sadly Penfold’s wine is far too expensive in Thailand.

Jones the grocer

Quite a beautifully designed store.

Jones the grocer

So many choices at EmQuartier and so little time.

Harrods at Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

No, we are not in London, we are in Bangkok.

Inside Harrods

The choices of restaurants and coffee shops is mind boggling.

Wine I love you

What a great name for a restaurant, as well as the indoor area there is a terrace that overlooks downtown Bangkok, they offer Asian and Western choices for appetizers & mains, catering to a variety of tastes, all at very affordable prices.

I wanted to order the lamb shank but they were sold out, when I remarked “but it’s only 12.15,” the waitress informed me they only get 4 shanks each day and we have been opened since 10 am. When I think about it it probably ensures they always have fresh produce to serve.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Wine I love you at Amazing EmQuartier Bangkok is one of many restaurants with wonderful décor.

Meerkats on guard

Part of the nice garden area where people can relax and kids can play.

Did I mention the guard dog?

EmQuartier has its very own guard dog.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

It really is a pleasure exploring this wonderful new mall.

Oysters at Crab and Claw, 7th Floor Helix Building.

Lobsters, New England Clam Chowder and a good selection of oysters (Kumamoto, Calm Cove, Royal, etc…) and fresh home-made pasta. Lots of choices at this popular establishment. The lobster roll is Crab & Claw’s signature dish, however it will set you back around B1000.

They have recently opened at Siam Paragon as well.

Entrée at Crab and Claw

An interesting dish featuring a crab with little black hamburger rolls and a crab filling. Although it was a little light on the crab, tasty but I would not order again. A very good selection of (expensive) Oysters from all over the world, average price between B500 & B600 for 3.

For a very good budget hotel in Soi 11 Sukhumvit you can’t beat Citadines.

If you want to go upmarket try the Marriot on Sukhumvit, great rate using this link.

Fabulous supermarket

Food is beautifully displayed in keeping with the entire complex.

Fresh fish

Beautifully presented fresh produce.

Here is an even new mall, Siam Discovery.

Diagonally opposite MBK.

Good budget hotel on Sukhumvit

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

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Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

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Kamakura seaside city

October 22, 2015 by David Herd

Kamakura

Kamakura seaside city is a little over an hours train ride south of Tokyo. My friends & I had a marvellous day out exploring the wonderful temples and shrines. The header for this post shows my friend Kayo from Tokyo who was our guide for the day, also featured taking a selfie is Hamish Elton my friend from Thailand who was visiting Japan for the first time.

Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura

Our first stop was Engakuji Temple which is the head of a branch school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It is very close to Kita-Kamakura station and houses the largest bell in Kamakura. Sadly we never got to see the big bell as that area was closed off, we had to settle for this smaller one. Check out my Engaku-ji photo blog here.

Cross the tracks to Kencho-ji Temple

This was the start of a huge day of walking, Hamish measured our steps and distance walked during the day with an app on his phone. We covered about 17 kilometres which was around 22,000 steps.

Kencho-ji Temple

Kenchoji Temple built in 1253 and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. It is a lot smaller than during its heyday, Kencho-ji still has a large number of temple buildings, and stretches from the entrance gate at the bottom of the valley far into the forested hills behind. Check out my photo blog here on this fascinating Temple.

By now I’m getting hungry

it’s 2’30 pm and I’m dying of hunger so we start looking for a suitable restaurant. Spanish? No after all we are in Japan.

Amish

An Amish restaurant, I didn’t even know they had there own style of food. I’m surprised Hamish didn’t want to try it merely because of the rhyme. 🙂

Finally Japanese cuisine

And it turned out to be excellent, perhaps not quite Tokyo standard but very good indeed.

I love Japanese food

After lunch I had the strength to carry on with our marathon walk.

Through the tunnel to the Great Buddha

Little did I realise we had only covered about 1/2 of the 17 kilometres.

Kayo and Hamish take selfies with the Great Buddha

My friends taking selfies with the Great Buddha.

Here comes the priest

We watched this guy come down the stairs and wondered what he was up to. When he got to the bottom he spoke to a family who were illegally parked in the temples private car park and asked them to move on.

Hard to refuse this guy

He obviously has Buddha on his side. 🙂

Coffee time before heading for Enoshima

After spending several hours in Kamakura exploring the wonderful temples we decided to take a 30 minute train ride to Enoshima to see where Japan will hold the sailing venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Map of Kamakura seaside city

At the bottom left hand corner south of Tokyo is Kamakura.

The Villa Sacra gets very good reviews on Agoda, use this link for an excellent rate.

Lotus at the Kara-mon at Engaku-ji Temple

Thanks for visiting my Kamakura seaside city post, I’ll finish with this photo which is one of my favourites among many on this great day out in Kamakura.

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Great Buddha Kamakura

October 21, 2015 by David Herd

Great Buddha Kamakura

Great Buddha Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara’s Todai-ji Temple. The weight is approximately 93 tonnes.

Kayo and Hamish

My friends taking selfies with the Great Buddha Kamakura.

Kotokuin Temple entrance

This was the third temple & shrine we visited today after getting the train from Tokyo to Kamakura, a journey that took a little over and hour.

I almost needed this guy

After all the walking I almost needed this guy. 🙂

Great Buddha Kamakura, old bridge

The old bridge surrounded by beautiful Japanese trees. This stone arched bridge in the old days used to be reserved
only for the Shogun’s use (others used the flat bridges). This sort of bridge is usually called a Taiko Bashi (drum bridge), since the reflection in the water makes it look like a drum.

Japanese tradition

The Chozuya (purification pavilion). Visitors wash their hands and rinse their mouths before entering the shrine.

Washing hands and mouth

We did wonder whether or not this may be a way to pass on germs to each other.

Buddhism

Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BC. It consists of the teachings of the Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha. Of the main branches of Buddhism, it is the Mahayana or “Greater Vehicle” Buddhism which found its way to Japan.

Donations from Japanese business.

I have seen these displays at other temples and parks, they acknowledge support from various businesses.

Oh no, more stairs 🙂

After all the walking today I was not thrilled climbing the stairs to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

This shrine was originally founded in 1063 and Burnt down in 1191, it was reconstructed as the shrine which we see today.

1000-year-old Assassin Gingko

In March 2010, after standing next to the steps since just after the Shrine was established, the 1000-year-old Assassin Gingko was uprooted and fell in a storm. Part of the trunk and the stump itself were replanted, and are now growing new leaves, so it looks the fine old tree has survived.

Shrine at the top of the stairs

I was happily taking photos around the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine until a guard told me it was forbidden, luckily by then I had enough for this post.

Not sure of the significance

I never did find out the significance of all these labels. I can only guess they indicate support from various businesses and individuals.

Kotokuin Temple

In the peaceful grounds behind the Great Buddha Kamakura.

Down we go

We took the back stairs down to ground level.

Great Buddha Kamakura, happy shopkeepers

As soon as you raise your camera you are sure to get a smile.

Walking to Hase station

The Great Buddha Kamakura is located a 5-10 minute walk from Hase Station, the third station from Kamakura along the Enoden railway line. The Enoden is a streetcar-like train that connects Kamakura with Enoshima and Fujisawa. It is well worth taking the trip to Enoshima, the venue for the 2020 Olympics yachting.

Hase station

About a 30 minute train ride to Fujisawa.

Two Buddhas at Kamakura

Thanks for visiting my Great Buddha Kamakura post, in case you missed it take a look at Engaku-ji and also Kencho-ji.

A week before the above photo was taken I broke a front tooth eating a ham sandwich in Seoul Korea, I had to wait until I returned to Thailand to have it replaced. Most of the photos showing it I photo shopped but in this case I thought I would leave it as it was.

The Villa Sacra gets very good reviews on Agoda, use this link for an excellent rate.

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Holiday Inn

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

Dotonbori in Osaka

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Kenchoji Temple built 1253 Japan

October 20, 2015 by David Herd

Sanmon, the main gate

Kenchoji Temple built 1253

Kenchoji Temple built 1253 Japan is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. It is considerably smaller than during its heyday, Kenchoji still consists of a large number of temple buildings and subtemples, and stretches from the entrance gate at the bottom of the valley far into the forested hills behind.

Temple bell, a national treasure

This bell has been designated a national treasure and dates back to the founding of the temple.

Jizo Bodhisattva in the Buddha Hall

The main image in the Buddha Hall of Kencho-ji is Jizo Bodhisattva (quite unusual for a Zen temple), and within the hall are several other famous Jizo images. Because of its violent history, the area has many images of Jizo 地藏, the bodhisattva whose mission it is to save those who are lost or in danger, or who have fallen into the the realms of hell.

The Kara-mon (Chinese-style gate) of Kencho-ji

This Kara-mon (Chinese-style gate) was recently restored as it was when built in the 17th century to re-establish the ancient glory of this old temple.

Lotus at the Kara-mon

One of my favourite photos from this fascinating temple.

Hatto (Dharma Hall)

This building is behind the temple.

Hatto (Dharma Hall)

Hatto (Dharma Hall) at Kencho-ji Temple. Belongs to the Rinzai (Zen) Buddhism sect, the hall was built in 1814 and it is the largest Buddhist wooden structure in Eastern Japan.

Dharma Hall

The starving Buddha at Dharma Hall. It was rather amazing taking photos here without a flash, yet the shots came out much brighter than what we were seeing with our own eyes.

Kenchoji Temple built 1253

The ceiling was quite amazing.

Hatto (Dharma Hall), Kencho-ji Temple

I’m guessing the bottle of water was left to help out the starving Buddha.

Here is a 750 year old Juniper tree.

This magnificent tree is also considered a national treasure.

Kannon (Avalokitesvara) at Kencho-ji Temple

Everywhere you turn there is a photo opportunity.

Kenchoji Temple built 1253 Japan

Beautiful grounds and flowers all around the temple.

The temple backs onto the forest

Kenchoji Temple built 1253 was an absolute delight to visit.

My friends at Kencho-ji

Hamish and Kayo really enjoyed as did I, this wonderful temple and it’s beautiful gardens.

Thanks for visiting my Kenchoji Temple built 1253 Japan photo blog.

The Villa Sacra gets very good reviews on Agoda, use this link for an excellent rate.

What a great year for travel in 2015

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Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan

October 13, 2015 by David Herd

Kamakura Station

Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan

Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan was about 1 hour 20 minutes by train from Tokyo travelling south through Yokohama. Followed by a short walk to the temple.

Engakuji Temple is a short walk from Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line coming from Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station.

Up the stairs

The ancient temple was founded in 1282 by a Chinese Zen monk through it’s patron Japan’s ruler Hojo Tokimune of the Kamakura Shogunate.

Hamish & I at Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan

We had to buy some umbrellas as there were some showers around.

Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan

The address is 409, Yamanouchi, Kamakura, Kanagawa , phone247-0062.

The Sanmon Gate

Apparently the Sanmon Gate is unusual as its supporting posts are totally exposed. The Gate dates from 1783.

Sanmon gate

Engaku-ji Temple at Kamakura is one of Japan’s most important Zen Buddhist temples.

Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan

Engakuji Temple was founded in the Kamakura Period of Japanese history on the instructions of regent Hojo Tokimune, who had successfully fought off the two Mongolian invasions of Japan in the late 13th century with the help of fortuitous typhoons known as kamikaze, which had destroyed the invading ships in harbour.

The small bell

Not to be confused the the Great Bell which is a national treasure. Sadly we could not see the Great one because the area was closed. ‘

Cemetery within the grounds

A well kept cemetery, in fact all the surrounding grounds were immaculate.

The cemetery

Some very old graves here at Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan.

Beautiful grounds

Such a beautiful peaceful settings in the grounds of Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan.

Pagoda statue

I really love these Japanese pagoda statues, in fact I had several in the garden at my home in Australia.

Ancient gate

Ancient gate at Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura, I believe this temple is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in Japan, and it ranks second among Kamakura’s Five Mountains.

The old and the new

A new construction beside the ancient cemetery highlights the old and the new at Engaku-ji.

Thanks for visiting my Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan post

These are my friends, Hamish is an Australian living in Thailand and Kayo lives in Tokyo. After Engaku-ji we explored two more temples before catching the train to Enoshima.

Thanks for visiting my Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura Japan photo blog.

The Villa Sacra gets very good reviews on Agoda, use this link for an excellent rate.

Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Holiday Inn

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya live webcam

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Piss Alley Tokyo

Oyster bar Sendai

Shinkansen bullet train

Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya

Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

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Sixteenth century Osaka Castle

October 11, 2015 by David Herd

Osaka Castle

Sixteenth century Osaka Castle

Sixteenth century Osaka Castle is a magnificent structure, it is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks, it played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century.

Otemon (western) Gate

The castle grounds, which cover 60,000 square meters (15 acres), contain thirteen structures that are designated as important cultural assets by the Japanese government.

Castle moat

This is the Sixteenth century Osaka Castle outer moat.

The inner moat

The granite walls were built in the 1620s & remain standing today, they are made out of interlocked granite boulders without mortar. Many of the stones were brought from rock quarries near the Seto Inland Sea, and bear inscribed crests of the various families who donated them.

Sakura-mon Gate

Through the Sakura-mon Gate is the first glimpse of this magnificent building.

Photo opportunity at Sixteenth century Osaka Castle

At all the temples and shrine I have visited in Japan there are always huge numbers of school children learning about the history of their wonderful country.

Awesome castle

The central castle building is five stories on the outside and eight stories on the inside, and built atop a tall stone foundation to protect its occupants from attackers.

Long Queue for the elevator

Instead of joining the queue I decided to take the stairs, 8 floors and very steep, ok I admit I took a couple of rests on the way. 🙂

Samurai short sword

The various floors hold museum pieces from the past.

Models of Samurai warriors

Re-enacting battles from past centuries. The samurai (or bushi) were the warriors of pre-modern Japan. They later made up the ruling military class that eventually became the highest ranking social caste of the Edo Period (1603-1867). Samurai employed a range of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns, but their main weapon and symbol was the sword.

Samurai

Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of bushido (“the way of the warrior”). Strongly Confucian in nature, bushido stressed concepts such as loyalty to one’s master, self discipline and respectful, ethical behavior. Many samurai were also drawn to the teachings and practices of Zen Buddhism.

Magnificent Tiger

This tiger was so impressive.

Sixteenth century Osaka Castle

Model of reconstruction

Presented by Osaka Lion’s Club in 1992.

From to top floor of the castle

A view of Osaka from the 8th floor of Osaka Castle.

The Sixteenth century Osaka Castle grounds

Looking down from the 8th floor of Osaka Castle.

City skyline

A great view of Osaka from the top floor of Osaka Castle.

Beware all Ninjas

Awesome fire-power, well it may have been in the 16th century. 🙂

Modern buildings near the Castle

It’s about a 15 minute walk from the station to the Castle, here are some of the buildings you pass on the way.

Thanks for visiting my Sixteenth century Osaka Castle photo blog, I stayed in a nice budget hotel in Osaka five minutes walk to Namba station. Get a very good rate by using this link.

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A-One hotel on Beach Road

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Enoshima island Kanagawa Japan

October 7, 2015 by David Herd

Nice seaside village.

Enoshima island Kanagawa Japan

Enoshima island Kanagawa Japan is 4 km in circumference, at the mouth of the Katase River south of Tokyo and Yokohama. What took me there you may well ask, well after spending several hours in Kamakura exploring the wonderful temples we decided to take a 30 minute train ride to see where Japan will hold the sailing venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

600-metre-long (2,000 ft) bridge

You have to walk or drive across this long bridge to get to the island. The area is home to some of the closest sandy beaches to Tokyo and Yokohama.

Fujisawa

They tell me this is a very popular holiday destination.

Fujisawa bottom left hand corner of map

My friends Kayo and Hamish

Kayo is my friend who lives in Tokyo, she was our tour guide showing us the wonderful temples in Kamakura then on to Enoshima. I can’t believe the distance we walked today, 22,047 steps which was 16.79 kilometres. 🙂

Enoshima island Kanagawa Japan

There is quite a steep hill with shops on both sides, people come to this island to walk the pathways that lead to several ancient temples, botanical garden, museums, parks, scenic overlooks, and a modern lighthouse at the top of Enoshima island Japan.

Friendly shopkeepers

A big smile from the shop keeper.

I met some locals

Happy guys on Enoshima island Japan.

They were very happy guys

In summer the mainland and beach areas of Enoshima city is all about sea sports, in particular surfing, sailing and jet boating. The surf isn’t great by most standards, but during Summer it is the place to be seen for the trendy younger crowd as it is so conveniently close to Tokyo, providing an excuse for tens of thousands of funky Japanese to strut around with bleached hair and chocolate-bronze skin.

Top of the hill

You can climb even further but I was too lazy. 🙂

View from the top

Looking down to the bridge at Enoshima.

BBQ corn

There are lots of street stalls where you can sample the delights of low price Japanese food.

Not to mention great Asahi beer.

A truly great beer.

My lovely friend Kayo

Kayo is the perfect guide, we met in Australia in 2005 &last year when I was in Tokyo she showed me all around Yokohama, and this year it was the wonderful temples in Kamakura.

Enoshima island Kanagawa Japan

Time to catch the train back to Kamakura station & change for Tokyo.

Many thanks for visiting my Enoshima island Japan photo blog.

The Villa Sacra gets very good reviews on Agoda, use this link for an excellent rate.

Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou) - Kyu Sakamoto (English Translation and Lyrics)

My favourite Japanese song

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That’s all folks

Holiday Inn

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

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Dotonbori in Osaka

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Shinkansen bullet train

Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai

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Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura

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Dotonbori lights camera action

October 6, 2015 by David Herd

Dotonburi Osaka

Dotonbori lights camera action

Dotonbori lights camera action, this is the entertainment centre of Osaka, it has the lights & the action you just need the camera. The number of restaurants large & small is mind boggling.

The big crab beckons at Kani Doraku Crab restaurant

Huge crabs, dragons, & octopus adorn the restaurant façades to entice you in for a feast. This six and a half meter crab is on the front of the crab restaurant Kani Doraku. It is mechanized, being able to move its arms and eyestalks. Built in 1960, this mechanical billboard soon spawned imitations, including a squid that puffs steam and oni (demons) that light up at night.

You have seen the crab, well here is the octopus. 🙂

Dōtonbori traces its history back to 1612, when a local entrepreneur, Yasui Dōton, began expanding the tiny Umezu River, which ran east to west, hoping to increase commerce in the region by connecting the two branches of the Yokobori River, which ran north to south, with a canal.

There is even some giant Gyoza. 🙂

What a fabulous city, I will certainly visit again in the future.

David Herd and Hamish Elton first night in Osaka

We had just arrived from Tokyo which was Hamish’s first visit. Osaka was the first time for both of us, so we headed for Dotonbori and started our night off with some ice cold Super Dry Asahi which is one of the world’s great beers.

Dotonbori lights camera action

We were sitting by the canal watching the tourist boats go by and waiting for the neon signs to come on.

Cruising the canal

We had some sensational food in Tokyo and were hoping for a similar experience in Osaka. High on my agenda was visit to the city of Nara which used to be the capital of Japan from the year 710 to 784, and the Todai-ji Buddist temple.

The cameras are locked & loaded

I am usually the one taking hundreds of photos.

The lights are coming on in Dotonbori

My favourite time of the day for taking photos.

Beside the canal

View from where we were drinking Asahi.

French restaurant

So many restaurants and such little time.

Another octopus

Use this link for a good budget hotel in a great location.

Has Hamish found his twin?

My friend Hamish Elton on his first trip to Japan.

Or perhaps I have found mine. 🙂

There is a photo opportunity around every corner.

More dragons

Dotonbori is a kaleidoscope of images.

So many restaurants and such little time.

The food choices in Dotonbori is quite amazing. I look forward to returning.

An interesting hotel

We were actually staying at a very good budget hotel in Namba which is only 10 minutes walk to Dotonbori and 5 minutes to the railway station. Use this link for a very good rate.

A beautiful sight at night

Most evenings we would sit by the canal and start the night off with a couple of ice cold Asahi beers.

Dotonbori lights camera action

Glico Man: Originally installed in 1935, the giant neon athlete on a blue track is a symbol of Glico candy. The sign has been altered on several occasions to celebrate events such as the World Cup and to show support for the Osaka baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers.

Dotonbori lights camera action

I hope you are beginning to understand why I chose “Dotonbori lights camera action ” as the title for my Osaka post.

Shinsaibashi

Shinsaibashi is the upmarket centre of Osaka and only about 10 minutes walk to Dotonbori. Shinsaibashi is the largest shopping area in Osaka with many boutiques and speciality shops attracting local people and visitors. The Shisaibashi has developed from the arcaded streets “Shinsaibashi Shopping Street” which runs east to Mido-Suji Avenue, is the best-known shopping area in Osaka, and a wonderful symbol of the city. With a history of 380 years, it was already an established shopping area in the Edo Period. Shops of all kinds and for all ages line the street featuring a roofed arcade 600 meters long.

Thanks for visiting my post

I have so much more to show you about the great food in Dotonbori I thought it best to do a separate post. Thanks for visiting my Dotonbori lights camera action photo blog.

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My favourite song which has a sad story regarding the artist Kyu Sakamoto who died on August 12, 1985, in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123, the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.

Watch this video on YouTube

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Todai-ji Buddhist Temple Japan

October 4, 2015 by David Herd

Spectacular Temple

Todai-ji Buddhist Temple Japan

Todai-ji Buddhist Temple Japan is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”, along with seven other sites including temples, shrines and places in the city of Nara. Deer are regarded as messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion, hundreds roam the grounds and parks around the temple.

Many school children

Half the crowd were school children enjoying this beautiful temple.

During the Tenpyō era, Japan suffered from a series of disasters and epidemics. It was after experiencing these problems that Emperor Shōmu issued an edict in 741 to promote the construction of provincial temples throughout the nation.

An awesome breathtaking building

Todai-ji Buddhist Temple Japan is one of the most impressive temples I have seen in Japan.

Amazing statues

Magnificent huge statues at Todai-ji Buddhist Temple.

Daibutsu of Tōdai-ji

The principal image of the temple, a colossal bronze statue popularly called the Nara Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Nara), completed in 752, it was installed in its daibutsuden (great Buddha hall). The image embodied the Buddha Birushana who was regarded by the Kegon sect as the cosmic, central Buddha. Over the centuries the icon was severely damaged several times and finally restored to its present form in 1692. Most of the extant Todaiji buildings are restorations of earlier structures.

Bodhisattva statue Kokuzo Bosatsu

Bodhisattva statue Kokuzo Bosatsu inside the Daibutsuden Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji Temple in Nara.

Todai-ji Buddhist Temple

Totally inspiring.

Guardian statue inside the temple

The attention to detail is incredible.

Another Guardian statue inside the temple

A very frightening appearance.

Models of temple buildings

An intricate model of the building.

Another model

These models help put the scale into perspective.

Column at the Todai-ji Buddhist Temple

There is a square hole at the base of this massive wooden column where for some unknown reason people crawl through. There is always a friend at the other side to take the obligatory photo of course. 🙂

Fat kid through the hole

For a while there I didn’t think this fat kid would make it. 🙂

Hundreds of deer roam the area near the temple

Deer are regarded as messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion, hundreds roam the grounds around the temple.

Pindola (Binzuru) statue

According to the earliest Indian sutra‘s Pindola Bharadvaja was one of four Arhats asked by the Buddha to remain in the world to propagate Buddhist law (Dharma). Each of the four was associated with one of the four compass directions.

Binzuru

Pindola is said to have excelled in the mastery of occult and psychic powers. He was once remonstrated by Buddha for misusing his powers to impress simple, ignorant people.

Incense Burner

There was an incense Burner at either end of the long walkway.

The other Incense Burner

I really enjoyed my visit to the Todai-ji Buddhist Temple.

Nobody is safe when I have my camera

Very cute indeed. 🙂

There are deer everywhere.

So tame and used to being hand fed.

Such a beautiful temple

Totally impressive and well worth the visit.

Todai-ji Buddhist Temple

Many thanks for visiting my Todai-ji Buddhist Temple post.

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Tropical storm smashes Pattaya

September 18, 2015 by David Herd

Beach Road

Tropical storm smashes Pattaya

Tropical storm smashes Pattaya, Vamco formed in the South China Sea on September 13, 2015 and went ashore in Vietnam a few days later. Although short-lived Vamco dropped very heavy rainfall over the mountainous terrain of central Vietnam and in Laos and eastern Thailand. It arrived in Pattaya on the 16th and caused an enormous amount of flooding and damage.

Opposite Soi 6

For months they have been working of a drainage system to clear the water that builds up on Beach Rd at Soi 6. You can see what Vamco did to this location. 🙂

New drainage system

The building project continues, whether it will do the job or not we will just have to wait and see.

Following day back to normal

It does not take these industrious Thai workers long to repair the damage and get back to normal.

The power of nature

These pavers have not been down for very long. 🙂

The thunder that accompanied the lightening was the loudest I have ever heard in my condo. It seemed to be exploding right above my building.

Here is a video from my balcony

Big electrical storm in Pattaya

A classic photo

7-Eleven staff are very dedicated people. I found this photo on a Thai Visa forum, it was attributed to this Twitter account, https://twitter.com/nuunut5555.