We’ve spent the last 24 hours worrying about a massive Typhoon that never came.. We’re in Tokyo now, and here is a pic from Nippori station

The Vaccines - If You Wanna as performed by us in Matsuyama yesterday!

Nikuman - purchased from ‘Family Mart’ at 1am for ¥100 (80p).. such an amazing food to go with Suntory Highball

possibly the best ‘standing bar’ in Matsuyama..
http://www.e-matsuyama.net/flanky.html 

a nanoblock synthesizer.. some things are just too cool to open

Always a sucker for Illuminations.. I went to Gifu castle this evening where they had a summer show in the park at the bottom of the mountain.. Its a competition too!
http://www011.upp.so-net.ne.jp/illumination/

Outside the food court at Nagoya Aquarium I found this little structure holding lots of Fūrin (Japanese Wind Bells).
I’m not sure if it was there to represent anything, but they sounded great as a storm started brewing..

Another train video.. this time traveling back from Kanayama to Gifu JR station after visiting Nagoya Aquarium. Piano improvisation by Ayota.

Some houses hanging over the edge of the Yoshida River in Gujo Hachiman yesterday. The storm clouds began to rise up and candles were lit along the side of the river.
I thoroughly recommend this place!
http://www.gujohachiman.com/kanko/index_e.htm

A rain storm in Gujo Hachiman on the day of the famous all night Bon Odori which starts at 8pm and finishes at 5am the next morning. We happened to see a passing Jinrikisha (人力車)

Its been another super hot day (37˚C). I went to an outdoor swimming pool today to cool off, and in typical english fashion, got sunburnt legs. So rather than photograph my legs, I thought I’d photograph the medicine I’m using to take away the pain. 
This also takes the form of audio relaxation courtesy of this lovely mix by Francois DuBois..
http://www.mixcloud.com/Urbantorque/ut-transmissions-221009-francois-dubois/ 

My own ‘Oto-san Switch’. (おとうさんスイッチ)
Check here for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PythagoraSwitch 

and scroll down to ‘Father Switch’

Bon Odori Freestyler!
Its Obon Festival time in Japan at the moment, and we went to one at the local primary school in Gifu this evening. There is a special dance that happens called ‘Bon Odori’ and I filmed some of it! I especially love the guy at the start who seems to be flouting all the rules.. he is going a bit non-bon.
For more info in Bon Odori check the wiki entry here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Festival#Bon_Odori

Cold remedy medicine / かぜのくすり
Left Hand Side: Supposedly suppresses cold, very expensive, doesn’t really work.
Right Hand Side: Actually treats cold, much cheaper, works. 
Note: This might not apply to everyone.