Been away for the weekend up to Matsumoto castle



and Nagano, Zenkoji temple where we walked through the pitch black tunnel of death, touched the key of salvation and were reborn into the light, apparently. We didn't get to see the first images of Buddha to be brought to Japan in 522 but then again only one person has seen them in the last thousand years. I prayed for a smaller belly but the Buddha didn't seem to be sympathetic.

Food update: have tried raw horse meat and baby bees but have managed to stay clear of the Beaujolais Nouveau that is now in every shop on the street (there's a lot of shops) Have tried fishy cheese snack which I'd have again but have learnt my lesson re: spicey fishy cheese.

Also discovered the world of Mambonsai : Bonsai gardens with action figures (little workmen, father christmas, capturing Bin Laden; the usual stuff) promoted by Japan's premier Mambo Act