Oops, I got the order wrong!

Before leaving Aomori we went on a coach trip of archeological sites in the area, taking in a museum or two along the way, and a bowl of clap noodle soup. 

Fascinating, even though it was all in Japanese. But Boy! That tour leader can continually talk, for about 3 hours non stop, even when, on the last leg of the journey half the passengers have nodded off, and she didn't stop smiling at any point!

 Back in Aomori. Stunning views from the top of a tall building!

Our final day in Japan was spent at the Osaka International School where we conducted a series of life drawing classes with Tasha in costumes. First Victorian governess, then wearing a psychedelic 60's catsuit.
Osaka International School

Had great fun, so we did. Lots of classes, lots of Japanese students aged anywhere between 6 and 18. I took a high energy approach and really pushed them to work fast and look hard.

 (Strangely enough I think I was at the same school in Norwich at the same time, pretty much, as the headmaster of the school!)

Mount Fuji, on my birthday!

We decided that a visit to see (not climb) Mount Fuji would be nicer than a night in Tokyo, and we were right. Stunning! (You'll have to take my word for it though as these are no the best photos in the world.)

Then we did more shopping and spent one night in Kyoto, and took the train to Osak for the last few days, staying at Sahoko's flat. She is so lovely, is Sahoko!

 More shopping in Kyoto

 This is Tasha in Sahoko's flat in Osaka

 Sahoko and Coco cyan

 Now a bunch of photos taken at the Oaska Ethnography museum, some of which are in our friend Peter's lab, where he is researching into the origins of the taro plant. Very interesting!

  This was Peter's explanation of the taro plant's spread through the world.

The National Museum of Ethology is absolutley wonderful! 

The displays are beautiful and the diversity and richness is simply breathtaking. 

Well worth a visit if you are in Osaka! 

The National Museum of Ethnology

 Lovely waterfall and maple trees, then more Ethnology. Honestly, my laptop is behaving like an uncooperative 6 year old, in terms of keeping things in order! Sorry about this. It was a more logical sequence when I took the pictures, it really was!

 My ideal job: Making model houses for museums. I'd be very good at it too!

 This is Sahoko's mum, showing us some beautiful Kimonos. She doesn't look like a woman of about 75 but she is, and she didn't even start scuba diving till she was 70 (She still can't swim, mind you!)

This loom was the very beginnings of the Toyoto company!