Japan 17-24 May 2010. Part 1

This strange signboard belongs to Asahi Beer Company. The beer is No.1 in Japan and taste good too.

The famous Nagamise Street of Asakusa. Tourist all over the world flock at this street to look for handicraft or something from Japan to bring back home. This street also leads to Senso-ji, one of the oldest temple and undergoing major renovation when I visited it (the background is the temple). I bought my Yukata (Japanese pajama) here.

Yet to be completed New Japan Tower. Replacing the old. This tower will have a height of 600m.

Tsukuba railway station. Latest addition to Tsukuba prefecture and it is also direct from Tokyo.
Expected to bring more tourism, domestic and international alike. I took the train from this Station and return the same way. My Yutakari-kun (hotel or resthouse) is almost 1 hour drive from this station. Very convenient if you want to stay at the country side especially the Tsukuba mountain park. This moutain range is only 877 meters but the birding and vegetation is a delight to visitors. Unfortunately I came when the birding was slow and flowers are gone and replaced by young new leaves after the winter season.