Pronunciation is the key in japan, say a word one way and everyone will think you’re an alcoholic, the other and you are mad about the seediest sport racing in the country. yes its Keirin (key-rin), and its awesome. We trekked out the the stadium in Northern Nara, the Information Center at Nara said i was the first person (ever) to ask about it! and wished us good luck.

Arriving, it was very much a mans world, many stares, lots of smiles, they instantly loved us!
Watching the last two races the first included a major crash taking out two riders, with one going away on a stretcher. We took somewhat of a photo-documentary of our visit and will post the collection when i arrive back in Melbourne.

Last few days in Osaka/Kyoto, loving it, except Swissotel.
RAMADA!

Spent the day in the seaside village of Kamakura, known for its many temples, shrines and 2nd largest Buddha in Japan. Of course we got lost walking around yet again, nothing new there.
Got the Hasselblad out and shot away, 2 rolls down. It was really nice to get out of Tokyo and experience a more local life. Had real okonomiyaki, cooked ourselves on the tables hotplate, table next to us with old women had a laugh, not sure why, maybe because of my cooking skills, or the fact i could hardly fit between the tables.

Heading to Osaka tomorrow, then day trips to Kyoto and Nara, hopefully see a Keirin race!
Peace

Spent the day in Ginza and Roppongi, heavy rain after lunch but we trucked around with the umbrella, ela ela. Ginza held many promises and failed to deliver, CDG X H&M…sold out, still had to queue, but for what? not sure. Tokyo Musuem, M.I.A, inbetween two parking towers perhaps? Sony Building, seemed like more a place for eating. Onto Roppongi, after three attempts at a vegetarian feast, we settled for the Japanese version of whatever their Italian is, interestingly it had a mexican flavour, the pizza was not too bad, yet very small.

Roppongi Hills were spectacular, great city view (picture), even though it was raining, and there is the MAMC, Mori Art Museum Complex, showcasing contemporary Indian art, very cool. Hopefully meeting up with Ryo tonight for some good food and biru!
domo domo.

Arrived in Tokyo yesterday afternoon, took longer than i thought and the Shinkansen stopped at what seemed like every station along the way. Met up with Karl and his friends for dinner then smashed it at his mates album launch at a club with no ventilation! $80 taxi ride home and being dropped off on the wrong side of Ikebukero station led to the BEST ADVENTURE EVER. (95% of it was heaps of fun).

Went to Harajuku and Shibuya today, walked around heaps, came across plenty of inspiring stuff.
Comme des garcons store is amazing.

Ueno and Yoyogi park tomorrow.

This has been the most minimal advert i have seen since visiting japan.
No idea what it’s for (as usual).

Spent the past two days in Osaka city, easily lost without a map. Went to Himeji Castle today, train ride was fun with two older ladies, wink wink. The urban sprawl never ends, seriously, its crazy!! off to Tokyo tomorrow afternoon, but before that, Okonomiyaki tonight in Dontonburi!

Ps. school groups of kids who follow you around saying “hello hello, i like baseball” are funny at first but quickly grow annoying…

Only a few days before i head off to Japan with Franky, bag is packed with a fine cache of cameras.

1Ds MKII, Hasselblad 500CM, Yashica T4 (Hi Terry!), Olympus XA2 +flashes etc. HEAVY.

Will be helping out with a photoshoot in Tokyo that frank setup, dope!

Peace X War

I am still surprised that this project pops up every so often after i barely promoted it to a few track blog sites. trx.nhd3.net

Flying to japan next week for a 2 week adventure.