Summer wanderings in Japan

We've just returned from almost two weeks exploring new part of Japan in the blistering heat. After some days in Tokyo, we headed to Hakone to see beautiful old carved jizo and explore the woods of Kanagawa on the old Tokaido road. Then, we met up with Clare and Tomoko and shot up to Aomori-ken for the famous (and not-to-be-confused) Neputa and Nebuta festivals. A brief overnight ferry ride to Hakodate for incredibly fresh seafood breakfast rounded off a tour encompassing night buses, onsens, crazy festivals, sweat and sake. Phew.