Nanjing, the old capital

Last summer, when I still lived in Shanghai, I went visiting a dear friend which was studying in Nanjing at the time (Ciao Cri), the old capital of China. I never had the chance to write about it, it was about time.

I got there in the evening, so we first took a stoll in the center. Usual chinese tacky style, but it was quite fun. There was open shops, food stals, and lights everywhere!

The next day, my friend had class so I went for some culture alone. I first headed for the Sun Yat-sen Masuleum, but it was closed on Monday. DAH.

So I kept strolling around the hill, which was full of ancient tombs and stuff. That was a great thing about Nanjing, right in the center of the city there was this green hill full of things to see and pleasent strolls. 

These are the Ming's tombs. hundreads years old.

Then, I just decided to follow the path on the other side of the tombs getting deep into the wood without any sign. And I got lost into the wild. It was worth it, as always.

I found this lake after a while. Some old chinese dudes were swimming into it, despite the sign forbidding it.

On the back of the lake, the path went on. What to do? Go back or keep going?

So I walked all the way to the top of the hill. Being surrounded by just nature makes you feel like your problems are just so small compared to what is around us. Getting lost in the wild is something I need to do at least once in every one of my trips.

I wasn't alone

On the way down, I found the path leading to the main tomb. It had statues on both sides along all the way in.

Then I ended up meeting again with my friend on my way to the train station. Another lake appeared next to it. It was quite a pleasent trip.

Last day in Japan: Sumo, Ninjas and Cosplay. Most Japanese day in history!

Last day in Tokyo :(

But luck assisted me. 

Sumo tournament, ninja event and cosplay meeting were in town that day!

Most japanese day ever

The Traveler

First thing in the morning I went to the Sumo stadium at Ryogoku to watch a Sumo tournament

The atmophere was highly Japanese. There were no seats, but squared spaces n which was possibleto seat and eat with friends, while watching sumo

fat people everywhere 

Although the tournament was really interesting I had no time to see the end. 

I rushed to the Ueno park to see the end of the Ninja event

At the park I also spotted some Fonzie wannabe dancing rock and roll. Just because, they had no specific reason to be there, just having fun together. 

Love it

Unexpectedly, in Ueno park I also came through Tokugawa's shrine. Tokugawa Ieyasu is the Japanese Garibaldi, the man that unified the country.

The trees colours were amazing

Here's a statue of the last samurai in history, Saigo Takamori

Next to Ueno park there's a nice shopping street where I lost myself some time

The Otaku

At night instead, I went to Tokyo Dome to take a look at a Cosplay event 

Cosplay = people dressed as videogame or manga's characters 

Too bad it was forbidden to take pictures unless you had a specific badge.

The all thing was extremely serious, and most costumes were extremely impressive.

Again, too bad I couldn't take any pics of them

The Tokyo Dome itself was extremely impressive, it was like a little city itself

The Eater

I didn't have any interesting eats that day, as much a  the next morning at the airport.

Here's a balck co...banana!

At the airport instead I found Wasabi Kitkats!!!

and some drinking...Sweat?

The Weird

Have you ever wondered about Japanese's toilets? Here's an English tutorial about how to use the "spray"....

The Artist 

And so my trip comes to an end. Japan was definelty one of the most amazing countries I ever visited, can't wait to be back. It would be a dream to live there. We will see....

At the airport, this dog hugged me and told me to come back soon.

I will doggy, I definelty will.

Bye Bye Japan!