Ushi-Oni Monster

This monster head stands 6 meters tall when put on parade in Uwajima. See link below for more information.


Warei Taisai Festival & Uwajima Ushi-Oni Matsuri

Early Morning Walk in Matsuyama

Too early for the restaurant to open, foraging out for a decent cup of coffee.

Mister Donut is not open, why not try the vending machine?

"The Black" - a tin of cold black coffee. Quite good.

Hokuto Restaurant - Korean Style Dinner

Can't forget dessert!

Welcome to Matsuyama!

The Tokyo Dai-ichi Hotel in Matsuyama, it is getting to be very popular.

Bizzare Japanese TV Commercial

Japanese TV has some of the most elegant and bizarre commercials around. This one was for a hair replacement service. It was essentially nylon thread patched onto a persons head. The model is showing how versatile this can be. It was pretty weird.

Japanese Baggage Handling

Typical to Japanese baggage handling is to wrap up some baggage in plastic to keep it clean.

Mount Fuji

The plane flew close to the summit of Mount Fuji, close enough to see inside and observe the steam still rising out of this active volcano. An impressive site from any point of view.

Haneda Airport

Japanese Public Phone (Domestic Calls Only)

Having a bad day? Try JAL Smile Support!

Shuttle Bus to Haneda Airport

In order to complete our trip, we needed to take the shuttle bus to Haneda Airport.





Japanese Toll Booths

Narita Airport

Delayed in Narita

After stopping over in Sendai Airport for 5 hours it was back to Narita. Needless to say everyone missed their connecting flight. So, the poor onions were left to be shuffled off to the local hotel for some short shut-eye before attempting to complete their ventures the next day.

Lobby of the ultra-luxurious Airport Rest Hotel.

Welcome to Japan, Christmas style

Airport Rest House looks worse than it actually is. The rooms are clean and small but over all it was not bad.

No frills vending machine

Evening entertainment

Room with a view!

Side-tracked in Sendai

After making the trans-pacific flight to Japan, our plane was side-tracked to Sendai airport for minor repairs and refueling. Needless to say that the pilot is a good PR person. He thanked us for our patience and kept us informed that the repair crew was coming as soon as they can from Nagasaki airport. To keep the passengers amused while waiting, the crew put on "Mami-mia," the musical. The movie is so bad that it is amusing.

Privacy Screens, Matsudaira family, Matsuyama Castle

Original screens from Matsuyama Castle

Japanese Markets, Outdoors, Indoors

Typical outdoor display of fresh fruits and vegetables for sale. In the past this is how most, if not all, produce was sold in Japan. Quite common to see on the streets.

Typical Japanese Supermarket. Food is fresh, well presented and the store is spotlessly clean.