I have just come back from four days in the south of Japan. Me and Pam have been to Kyoto and Hiroshima for what has been a rollercoaster of experiences. Kyoto is slightly quieter than Yokohama but still bustling Japan style.

We arrived in Kyoto on tuesday morning after a ride on the shinkansen (bullet train) very expensive but very fast. (We could learn a lot from the Japanese train system – never late.) We then spent the afternoon at the Imperial Palace watching a parade of Japanese costume covering the last 1100 years. It was spectacular. There were warriors on horse back, footmen, standard bearers. And of cause geisha. They were wearing amazing kimonos with such bright colours and elaborate designs they were absolutely stunning and beautiful.

We then walked to our accommodation and proceeded to sleep (2hrs sleep Monday night).

On Wednesday we visited Kiyomezu-dera. One of the most famous temples of Kyoto. It has stunning views of Old Kyoto and of the new. There is also the Otawa Falls – fresh water coming from out of the mountain rock – which is said to purify all those that drink it – I’ll have to wait and see!! We then walked to the School of Buddhism at Chion-in. There was Buddhist chanting and this enormous bell that takes 16 monks to ring.

In the evening we walked around the shopping area of Kyoto and I had my first taste of sushi in Japan – raw salmon better than anything at home, raw squid (with bones) and prawns. The food out here is brilliant although it can get a bit samey but I guess that the case wherever you go. After dinner we went to a bar called Kento’s. 1950’s rock. It was brilliant.

Thursday we travelled to Hiroshima. At first I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be there, but it has to be the most painful thing I have ever experienced yet. You all must go. We walked around the Peace Memorial Park and made paper cranes – the symbol of peace – we were struggling so large group of school kids helped us. It made the day feel a bit more real than it had done to start with. Foreigners seem to attract celebrity status in Japan. So we were constantly being asked for our autographs – very strange when you haven’t done anything except be white.

The museum at the Park was amazing it took me and Pam nearly 3 hours to get round it and that meant us skimming some of the exhibits. I found myself crying when I thought that I would not be affected. Did you know that every mayor of Hiroshima since August 1945 has written to heads of state of every country that has engaged in nuclear weapons testing – surprise surprise the lasted one went to the USA for testing as late as 27th September 2002. The facts go on – 1995 and the USA tested the effects of nuclear weapons on 200 humans!!!

It was an amazing day that I will never forget.

We ended it by catching a night bus at 8pm and have just arrived back in Yokohama an hour ago – 12 hours of horizontal sleep in a bus I told you we have a lot to learn when it comes to public transport.