Tokyo:
Tokyo is Tokyo; it can't be compared to any other city. After 3 years in the Kanto area, I've only brushed on some of the interesting places to see and experience. I don't have pictures of everything or nearly anything I did, as it can be a little difficult with a camera with all these people around.

My favorite place in Tokyo, are all the little side streets around Harajuku, as long as I'm in the mood for a crowd. If not I'll lean more toward Shinjuku around Yoyogi or some other parks in the area. No matter where you end up, its always interesting and you never need to worry about getting board (unlike Canada).

Shiki:
Shiki Shi is where I lived while in Japan, aside from a couple months in Ikebukuro. Shiki is considered a sleeping town outside Tokyo in Saitama on the Tobu-Tojo train line. Shiki has everything, kaiten sushi, Marui, Sati Department stores, Matsui, Moss and my personal favorite Otoya, nice little temples and its close to country side, which is a great thing for a guy from Canada.

The best thing about living in Shiki was that I could ride my "mama-cheri" bike to work, which was 4 stations away in Wako-shi. In Japan, companies subsidies transportation costs and provide bikes if necessary. So I made money riding to work and got in shape at the same time, so I couldn't complain, especially since the average commuting time in Tokyo is over 1 hour.

Fuji:
Snapped this shot from the airplane...very lucky and rare to not have clouds over Fuji but this was taken in July so it's not the classic snow caped mountain we all know.

Kyoto:
Kyoto is my favorite place in Japan. It's the most sacred place for me, and I have the best memories of "tetsugaku no michi" (philosophers walk). I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more before it became such a touristy place, but I can still appreciate its depth, as it is filled with cultural national treasures and historical gardens.

The most beautiful thing I've ever experienced in my life, is cherry blossom in Kyoto, from Gion to Ginkakuji, the whole city is beyond words. I was lucky enough with the timing to show my parents who had visited me in 2002. My dad actually enjoed it also, but he's happy enough with a Sapporo in his hands.

Hiroshima:
I was only able to spend 3 days in Hiroshima, but I'm glad I took the time to visit such a significant place in history. Its fascinating to visit one of two cities hit by Atomic bombs in the world, and it reminds you, still to this day why that should never happen again. It's a very powerful place, and is a very important landmark, which stands for world peace.

On a few occasions I was actually asked if I was American, which I was very surprised about, but non-the less made me so proud to be French Canadian. Actually all over Japan I felt the benefits of not only being Canadian but French as both cultures are highly regarded in Japan. I did get a few looks (nothing uncommon in Japan) for being Caucasian, but that's to be expected from the older Nationalists once in a while. But like any other place on the West of Japan, people are very friendly, and with places like Miyajima, its well worth the trip across the country.

Ehime:
This was my first trip to Ehime, during golden week in May 2001. My boss invited me to visit his family, which was great, as his parents owed a sushi house near the ocean. If you've ever heard of eel being an aphrodisiac, it's true. I ate "Unagi" everyday that week and I turned into Rocco the pummeler.

The local people in the countryside of Japan are great, felt just like Canada, except that I couldn't understand anything anyone was talking about, and everyone was yellow (jodan!). The area I went to is famous for somen, and so everyday there I was eating very well…. food in Japan is great!

People:
Lots of people in Tokyo! couldn't meet all of them but I think I came pretty close. At first I was the outgoing friendly Canadian, but I soon adapted to the fast Tokyo lifestyle and tiring schedule that's make this place the busiest on earth.

Met some of the nicest people traveling through Japan and was very happy to have had the opportunity to spend 3 years there. My best friend Jay was able to come out for a year and that helped me stay a while longer. To this day, one of the nicest persons I've ever met is Maho Shiraishi, whom I probably would not have had such a great experience in Japan without her support.

Places:
Like any other foreigner in Tokyo, weekends where filled with side trips to Chiba, Yokohama, Shonan and many other outskirt getaways. After 3 years I had decided to leave because of exhaustion, not only from touring all over but from my grueling 12 hour days at Honda, which left me with an empty tank at the age of 32. I was very fortunate to have a good job to fund my tenacious and curious nature, and while I probably over did it, (especially with that motorcycle accident which left me in and out of the hospital for a month) I wouldnt of changed any of it...anyways, I can always go back!

Here are a few various pictures a chose out of 1000's to give a brief idea of some of the great places in the Kanto outskirts.