So, at the moment, I'm halfway through a backpacking week in Japan.

Tokyo was a real experience! The heated toilet seats are kinda strange, when you're tired it's hard not to fall asleep on the toilet! XD One toilet even started playing sounds of a babbling brook when I sat down. It's all very distracting when you're trying to pee!!!!

I've seen the cherry blossom festivals, which are beautiful, and also different from the cherry blossom back home. I've been to a kabuki theatre performance, visited Tokyo zoo, had a major shopping blowout in a 5 story toyshop selling Hello Kitty and Final Fantasy stuff, seen Gothic Lolitas in their natural habitat, been to the square with all the lights seen in every scene setting in Tokyo on TV, and had a tour of the red light district, which included me and Gemma exploring the reception area of a "Love Hotel" (very classy place, btw...) XD

We've now moved on to Nikko, which is stunningly beautiful. I feel really relaxed and at peace here. The setting is similar to the North Wales countryside, with valleys and mountains and sharp fresh air, but then the filling of the setting is completely new, but equally tranquil. It's all so cozy and completely different to Tokyo. I wonder when I started to be more of a country girl..? XD

In a couple of days time we'll be going on to Hakkone, and then finishing the week in Kyoto. I don't know what to expect from either of these places, but I'm looking forward to seeing.