Robin was going to study Japanese in Fukuoka, so it seemed like a good opportunity to visit three of Japan's great cities, and the two of course forever associated with the 1945 bombing. That is one reason why so many visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but they are fascinating in their own right, both for their role in Japan's history and for today being beautiful, thriving and prosperous cities thanks to the industry and skill of the Japanese. Fukuoka is less well-known but no less interesting.

My overriding memory is of the Japanese people's friendliness, and of course the astonishing cleanliness and efficiency of their beautiful cities. I hope this site gives some impression of both even if the former is hard to convey on a website.

I didn't have my NIKON with me, so the photos were taken with a Canon Powershot Compact, and I have deliberately made them big to have greater impact. F11 gives you a slightly larger image onscreen.