In Osaka, the Sky Building stands out more than any other building, mainly because it's BLOODY MASSIVE.

People living in the city are divided on the construction - some call it "an exciting and modern take on Paris's Arc de Triomphe". Others, however, prefer to call it "a block of scrote", which doesn't sound very nice at all.


The bloody massive Sky Building.


If never-to-be-king Prince Charles ever visited Osaka, he might well liken the Sky Building to "a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved geisha."

As with any big building, escalators are a popular and efficient method of transport, moving people about without them having to expend any energy...




At the top of the building you can walk around outside. But be careful not to do anything out of the ordinary as there is a small security man also on the roof, keeping an eye on things...




A curious fixture on the top of the Sky Building is the Lumi Deck. According to the information given, it seems to be a place for lovers to sit, like at a bus stop....


Seats for lovers of uncomfortable looking seating.



If you're interested in securing your heart lock at the fence of vows, then consider a visit to the top of Osaka's Sky Building.

Japan's ancient capital, Kyoto, attracts visitors from all over the world. They come for its temples, shrines, shops, and possibly a bit of karaoke too.

Most people enter the city via its ultra-modern train station, completed in 1997. The 15-storey construction houses trains, tracks, ticket offices, and a large shopping mall.




Just across from the station you'll see Kyoto Tower. Opened in 1964, two years before England won the World Cup, the tower gives visitors a view over the ancient capital from its 100-meter-high observation deck.

When the idea for the tower was first proposed, many protested as they believed its modern look to be out of place in the historic city. However, since then, many more modern buildings have been built throughout Kyoto, so no one complains about it anymore.


Kyoto Tower


Many tourists head first for Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto's most famous temple. On the approach to Kiyomizu-dera, you'll pass Jishu Shrine.

Jishu Shrine contains a pair of love stones, placed 18 metres apart. Legend has it that if you can walk from one stone to the other with your eyes closed, you will one day find true love. However, if you miss the other stone and end up falling down the many steps leading down from the shrine, legend has it that you will be admitted to the nearest accident and emergency ward.

The advice given to those who want to attempt the walk is: "ask a good friend to keep an eye on you".


Jishu Shrine


Kiyomizu-dera is an extraordinary feat of engineering. Not one nail was used in its construction, making it one of Kyoto's few glue-only temples.

The temple provides a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and is a popular destination for visitors throughout the year.


Kiyomizu-dera


If you're really lucky, you might even see a geisha in the temple grounds!




Just across from Kiyomizu-dera, nestling in the hills which surround the city, you can see the exquisite Koyasu-no-to three-storey pagoda.


Koyasu-no-to Pagoda


But Kyoto isn't all temples and shrines. Though mostly, it is. There's also the gently flowing Kamo River, ideal for a leisurely stroll, or a run if you're in a rush.


The Kamo River


If you suddenly find yourself itching to get your wallet out to help the economy along in these difficult times, head to the centre, where you'll find shops galore willing to take your cash in return for a variety of goods.


"Hankyu very much for shopping with us today"


Back on the temple trail, consider a trip out to Kinkaku-ji, otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion Temple. It was originally built in 1397, 569 years before England won the World Cup, though the current structure dates from 1955.

Kinkaku-ji is set in peaceful gardens in which visitors can admire this beautiful temple from a variety of angles.


Kinkaku-ji


No trip to Kyoto would be complete without a saunter around the famous geisha district of Gion. The quaint little streets in this unique area are lined with traditional tea houses, restaurants and tastefully restored wooden buildings.

Keep your eyes peeled and you'll most likely catch sight of a geisha apprentice scurrying from her living quarters to her next geisha lesson....


A geisha apprentice legging it along a Gion street


But to think that Kyoto can only be matched with adjectives such as exquisite, quaint, pretty, ancient, and charming would be a somewhat misguided belief.

Scratch the surface and, like most ancient capitals in the world, you'll soon get a whiff of the city's sordid underbelly. Indeed, even in a place with as much history as this, there are still places where men pay money to meet ladies....


A bit of sordid underbelly.


It's probably best to stay away from the underbelly as it could result in more than just the surface you'll be scratching. Instead, immerse yourself in the city's olden days, which is what it's most famous for.

End your trip with a stop at Ryoan-ji, the historic Zen temple with its stone garden where you can sit and ponder all the wonderfulness of the city that is Kyoto.


Ryoan-ji

One of the great things about Japan is that you can go everywhere without going anywhere.

Only last week I went around the world in 80 hours.

I started in Okayama London, where I hopped aboard a double-decker.




It even had its own cheeky chappy driver!





Having had enough of being on a bus, I decided to take my chances with a snow-covered slightly maroon black cab in Kanazawa Tooting Bec.





The driver dropped me off in Osaka Liverpool, where I could watch The Bricks Beatles banging out a few numbers in the Cavern Club....





And to my amazement, they were just like the real thing.....almost......





After that I made my way to Tokyo Dublin, where I found this spunky bar....





Then onwards to Spain Village in Mie-ken Spain....





You can even go to Italy which is also in Spain Village. No, really. It is. where you can see the Roman Forum....



Some unexcavatable fake unancient ruins which aren't really ruins at all.


Also in Osaka Rome, you can put your hand into La Bocca della Verità (The Mouth of Truth) if you feel like feeling like Gregory Peck....





If being urinated on is your thing, then head over to Kobe Brussels....



Take an umbrella if you're walking in Kobe Belgium.


You can also go to Shinsaibashi the States. If you do, be sure to check out the plastic thing on top of a department store Statue of Liberty....


image from AirNinja


Or perhaps you might fancy somewhere further afield. In that case, historic Kyoto Easter Island is only a short distance away - the place where you can admire concrete heads....




And finally, end your world jaunt with a few relaxing minutes in Namba Egypt.

Strong Seven is for people with hair on their chests and maybe even a bit on their back. It's a cheap drink which tries to taste like beer but isn't actually beer at all. It does, however, get you drunk fairly quickly.

It appears to be the preserve of both hard drinkers and drinkers who are hard. Its alcohol content clocks in at a strong 7 per cent, hence its clever name.


"This hard and clear taste brings you the great feeling"......of being drunk?


The newest beer on the block, however, appears to be targeting a different audience; an audience with possibly no hair at all.


Is former Olympic swimmer Duncan Goodhew a fan of the new drink?


Indeed, it has a name so gentle that one wonders if men will be able to ask for it by name....


Snow White - the latest beer from Suntory.




Snow White is 5% alcohol, and 20% and 100% other things.


Should the beer become a popular import for British drinkers, scenes like this could be played out nightly in pubs up and down the country....


A hard man ordering a pint of Snow White for himself.