Tokyo - Osaka : three hours by Shinkansen. And suddenly people stands on the right side of the escalator. Amazing. Hot looks, hot faces, hot sauces and hot sun : welcome to the Southern capital of Japan !

Remember my cheap night buses trips to Hiroshima ? Forget it. This time I travelled in... Green Car, the business class of already luxuous shinkansen. It was part of the package. Yes, I'm a real princess.

Remember my sleeping bag laying on the floor in Tohoku ? Well, you can forget this too. This time me and my friend Miss C. slept in a comfy room of a great hotel, and I had a peach-flavored bubble-bath.

By the way, it was Tanabata ! My 07.07 wish ? LOVE, of course !

The main must-see spot in Osaka : Osakajo, the proud castle of the city. Really impressive from below...

Osaka is hot !! Here people look feralessly at you in the face and bump into you in a very latin way ! Strange looks and hot summer night atmosphere at Namba, the local Shibuya !

OK, my main motivation to come here was definitely Osaka Universal Studio. Let's slip into the movies !

"WONDERLAND"

SPIDERMAN

BACK TO THE FUTURE

JURASSIK PARK

JAWS

WATERWORLD

... and more : The Mummy, Terminator, Backdraft, Shrek... So great to feel like you're standing at the other side of the screen !

The park is very beautiful, with the greatest attention to details, and nice background playlist on the streets.

L.A. STUDIOS

HOLLYWOOD

THE CINEPHILE'S CORNER

Go and see by yourself ! Osaka is not the most touristic town on the map, but it's worth to be visited once.

Pitch : Asakusa Sensoji Shrine

Toss : Sky Tree and Asahi Beer Drop

Fire bamboos from Nagano Prefecture at Omotesando. Magical urban life.

Kyu Furukawa Teien is blossoming with roses. Happy June, everybody !

The special atmosphere of these gardens is due to the presence of this beautiful British-style ancient house, in the middle of a beautiful traditionnal Japanese garden. Quite unique in Tokyo !

Waiting for Wednesday night (Ladies' Day at Shinjuku Picadilly Movie Theatre) - and for a True Love Kiss...

Red and White Tokyo Tower is still standing as the capital's main focal point, no matter what brand-new Sky Tree can do ! From Shibakoen, with love.

Credits : The Japan Times

African Excellencies and Japanese Officials

(The Ambassador of Mali is the first one in pale blue dress on the left, with a white hat.)

The stand of Mali

May 25 is African Liberation Day. On this day, many African countries celebrate the hard-fought achievement of their freedom from European colonial powers.

Last year, Africa Day Reception was cancelled in the aftermath of the earthquake, so yesterday was the first time for me to participate to this unique All-Africa-Involved event in Tokyo. All African countries of Japan were represented at the gorgeous Angola Embassy, in Setagaya-ku, in order to welcome our Japanese partners : officials from the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, diplomats, Agencis staff (like JICA), major investors and many international organizations.

Africa Day Reception is the best opportunity for the African countries to promote a prestigious and consistent image of Africa towards Japan. Each stand was presenting general information and traditionnal arcraft; then, inside, popular dishes from all the countries were offered. Music, dance, beautiful dresses... and warm smiles all around !

In duty

The stand of the Republic of Mali. Nice work !

Because of the Alphabetic order, we are always neighbours with Mauritania, Malawi & Madagascar

Madagascar spices

Atmosphere !

All the "Japanese Africa" in one room...

High-level diplomatic shake-hands

For the occasion, I was wearing a Malian dress ! Beautiful fabric from Mali

The Malian team ! Kadidiatou, Soumba, Aminata & me

Japan + Africa = food, food, food... Food !!

Yummyyyyyyy

The impressive offcial cake of the evening... (wanna eat Madagascar, can I ?)

And now you're so full you can't stand anymore : let's dance ! Yes, yes

God bless Africa !

A sunny Saturday, finally ! I jumped on the Chuo-line (from Shinjuku station, 45 minutes by express train to Takaosanguchi station) and had the best walk ever to the top of Takaosan !

To reach the trail, I just had to sit in a nice "lift" chair and fly above the trees ! Soooo great and relaxing !

Takao-san nature : green, sculptural roots, and amazing flowers that even don't look real...

Pont suspenduuuu

Takao Top !

And on the way back...

I feel rejuvenated ! Go and have a walk before the rainy season...

Kuromitsu & macha ice-cream... French crepe !!

Restaurant Le Bretagne - Kagurazaka