@ajd-jpn.bsky.social
Long-term resident of Kōbe. Love history, especially Roman. Love travel, too.
Profile picture was expertly drawn by a former middle school student about a decade ago.
Profile picture was expertly drawn by a former middle school student about a decade ago.
Went up to Hakone on the weekend to see a friend. Fantastic views.
November 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Went up to Hakone on the weekend to see a friend. Fantastic views.
Went to Minō Park today. I lived in Minō over thirty years ago. Used to go up to the falls all the time - especially on hot summer evenings.
October 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Went to Minō Park today. I lived in Minō over thirty years ago. Used to go up to the falls all the time - especially on hot summer evenings.
A not-quite-average Sunday in the neighbourhood yesterday.
October 13, 2025 at 1:06 AM
A not-quite-average Sunday in the neighbourhood yesterday.
The formerly traffic-choked Midosuji-dori is now a wide pedestrian-friendly boulevard lined with tony shops.
September 15, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The formerly traffic-choked Midosuji-dori is now a wide pedestrian-friendly boulevard lined with tony shops.
Went downtown Ōsaka to celebrate a birthday. We went walkabout after dinner. Ten years ago, Ōsaka had next to no tourists. Now, the Dotonbori area is packed with tourists.
September 15, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Went downtown Ōsaka to celebrate a birthday. We went walkabout after dinner. Ten years ago, Ōsaka had next to no tourists. Now, the Dotonbori area is packed with tourists.
Went to Peacock Alley, in the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka tonight. At ¥2,000 for a lemonade, let’s just say I won’t be a regular, but for a very special occasion, it’s definitely the place to be.
August 20, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Went to Peacock Alley, in the recently opened Waldorf Astoria Osaka tonight. At ¥2,000 for a lemonade, let’s just say I won’t be a regular, but for a very special occasion, it’s definitely the place to be.
It was Bon Odori down at Meriken Park last night.
August 17, 2025 at 2:31 AM
It was Bon Odori down at Meriken Park last night.
Finished our tour as the temple was closing. Got a brief bus ride down to Maruyama Park! From there, a city bus down Shijo, back to the hotel and the Hankyu then Hanshin trains home.
August 15, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Finished our tour as the temple was closing. Got a brief bus ride down to Maruyama Park! From there, a city bus down Shijo, back to the hotel and the Hankyu then Hanshin trains home.
More pictures of the garden.
August 15, 2025 at 4:07 AM
More pictures of the garden.
Paid the 400 yen admission to the garden, which was spectacular.
August 15, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Paid the 400 yen admission to the garden, which was spectacular.
We wandered over to Chionin, just to the north of Maruyama Park. Despite walking through Maruyama Park countless times, this was the first time in 36 years in Japan that we had visited Chionin.
August 15, 2025 at 4:03 AM
We wandered over to Chionin, just to the north of Maruyama Park. Despite walking through Maruyama Park countless times, this was the first time in 36 years in Japan that we had visited Chionin.
Monday, the other three went home at noon, the remaining two of us went walk-about. Been here dozens of times, but seldom this early in the day.
August 15, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Monday, the other three went home at noon, the remaining two of us went walk-about. Been here dozens of times, but seldom this early in the day.
Three of our party split off to go to the covered shopping arcades. Two soldiered on, visiting Nishi-Hongan Temple and Higashi-Hongan Temple.
August 15, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Three of our party split off to go to the covered shopping arcades. Two soldiered on, visiting Nishi-Hongan Temple and Higashi-Hongan Temple.
Rained all day Sunday, quite heavy at times. Pictures not allowed inside Nijo Castle.
August 15, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Rained all day Sunday, quite heavy at times. Pictures not allowed inside Nijo Castle.
Of course we took pictures with the Hieizan sign.
August 15, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Of course we took pictures with the Hieizan sign.
By the time we got there, the World Heritage Enryaku Temple complex was closed, but a garden atop the mountain was open. It was a bit too hazy to enjoy the view.
August 15, 2025 at 3:44 AM
By the time we got there, the World Heritage Enryaku Temple complex was closed, but a garden atop the mountain was open. It was a bit too hazy to enjoy the view.
It’s just 73.4 km from Kobe’s Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station, but we booked a hotel for a two-night, three day visit to Kyoto last weekend. After dumping our bags, the first stop was Mt. Hiei. Underground to train to one-carriage train to cable car to ropeway to the top.
August 15, 2025 at 3:40 AM
It’s just 73.4 km from Kobe’s Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station, but we booked a hotel for a two-night, three day visit to Kyoto last weekend. After dumping our bags, the first stop was Mt. Hiei. Underground to train to one-carriage train to cable car to ropeway to the top.
Very different stroll location Wednesday evening. This time, the Sumiyoshi River.
July 24, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Very different stroll location Wednesday evening. This time, the Sumiyoshi River.
Out for a walk at Kobe Harbour Tuesday evening.
July 24, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Out for a walk at Kobe Harbour Tuesday evening.
Out at Grand Front in Umeda, Osaka this evening.
July 6, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Out at Grand Front in Umeda, Osaka this evening.
Still more photos around Shinsekai.
May 11, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Still more photos around Shinsekai.
More photos at Shinsekai, near Tennoji, Osaka.
May 11, 2025 at 2:18 AM
More photos at Shinsekai, near Tennoji, Osaka.
A friend came down from Yokohama for Osaka Expo. We went to Shinsekai for kushikatsu. I played tourist, taking a photo or three.
May 11, 2025 at 2:17 AM
A friend came down from Yokohama for Osaka Expo. We went to Shinsekai for kushikatsu. I played tourist, taking a photo or three.