Now, there are monkeys here.

Japan is a feast for the senses. But don't expect to be understood.
The past few weeks have taken us from Yamaguchi to Fukuoka, Mount Aso, Ube, Miyajima, Kyoto, Tokyo and back. The air has been full with the subtle scent of blossoms in every conceivable shade of pink. I've inched my way around a dozen temples and shrines, eaten fish eyeballs and the most sublime sashimi. Sipped liberally on sake and Kirin and had some absurd misunderstandings with taxi drivers.
Just start saving. You have to go!