Great report as always, Daniel. I guess living in Dubai makes you crave pork!

Wonderful TR. Daniel, are you fluent in Japanese?

Thank you, corruptcanadian:). I'm not 100% sure on the electronics, but the camera gear prices was very reasonable with the recent yen depreciation. Definitely worth checking out anyway:).

Thanks, shogunate03:). Yes, the food was definitely a highlight, wide range of tastes/flavours, healthy, and importantly very photogenic:).

Just sussing out my next trip now, flying an old 727 to Iran:).

Cheers, UKdiver:). Yes, the pork was most appreciated, even the hotel breakfast buffet bacon was a treat:D.

Thanks, agp423:). Apart 'Hello' & 'Thank you', I know nil Japanese:p. No problems though as most signs and most service people (i.e. hotel, trains, some restaurants) used English perfectly.

Great TR! All these Japan TR's are making me antsy to travel back to Japan. Why am I doing this to myself lol

We LOVE Japan....especially the high tech toliets!....GREAT TR

Ah, this brings back memories of my wife's and my trip over Thanksgiving a couple of years ago. Tokyo is a great destination, and your report is a wonderful reminder for those of us who often find ourselves mindlessly trasiting NRT.

So...Axis of Evil, eh? Do I sense an Air Koryo report coming up?? :D

Cheers, cornellfOo, yes Japan is one of those places I want to go back and explore some more:)!

Yes, the toilets were very interesting, with the different buttons for ladies & gents. My hotel toilet always half-flushed when ever I sat on it, I guess as a pre-emptive move:)?

Thanks, zcat18, the next trip will be a little more local (for me), Iran.

Outstanding TR! Great pictures and you really made the most of your time. This really makes me want to get back to Japan. One question -- did you feel you were able to do justice to Kyoto in one day, or do you wish you could have spent more time there?

Thank you, KevinDTW:). I spent a lot of time trying to sus out to make the most of my five days and see as much as possible.

I was happy with my one day in Kyoto. It would have been nice to spend a day or two more, but I felt that one day out of 5 was about the right amount of time for me. Personally I am not much of a temple person though, so this may differ for other people.

Beautiful pictures. I'll be in Japan for the first time in October and you've given me some ideas.

The first idea being I need to get a new SLR body. Mine went MIA last year and I've been fighting the urge to replace it.

Ah, yes--that makes more sense. Looking forward to that one.

Wow very cool! Glad to hear that it is doable to get around with just English!

I LOVE that the middle seat on the train was wider...seems only fair for the person who gets stuck there!

That's a lovely wide angle lens you got right there! Superb pictures, thanks for posting them

No real problems with language. When I was looking at a menu once trying to decipher what to get, they realised I was a bit confused and brought out the english version:).

I got 'stuck' in a middle seat on my way back to Kyoto, and gradually realised it was bit roomier. Trust the Japanese to be so thoughtful:).

Thank you, HangukStyle. Yes my new Canon 16-36L II on its third trip away:). I took three primes as well (24L II, 50L & 85L II) but the UWA zoom definitely got the most use.

Brilliant TR again, Daniel! I visited Japan a year ago (Osaka and Okinawa) and am contemplating going again this June (Okinawa and Tokyo). You're TR may have just convinced me.

Where's the next trip?