Random Japanese notes

* I mentioned before the news stories about the unusually large number of bear attacks this year, and yeah, the country was still talking about it during the visit. Well, by that I mean, I saw a lengthy NHK studio discussion about it on TV, in the rather boring style Japanese TV specialises in.  

*  I also never noticed on earlier visits how much they were interested in eating them.  Maybe some sort of revenge logic going on? :).  There was this bowl of noodles for sale in a rural area:

which translates as "bear soba". But then, even in Kyoto there was a ramen shop (popular with locals) near my hotel which I am reliably told used broth made with bear bones.  

* I also got the impression that hunting has generally become more of a thing in the country.  And look at this story:

Bear bounty introduced by Akita governor pays ¥5,000 per bear to hunters

* OK, apart from bear madness, what else is new?  Well, as every story about tourism in Japan says, there are a lot of tourists around, especially in Kyoto, but people seem to forget how much the Japanese love to visit the city too.  And justifiably.  If temples, history, gardens and food are your thing (or just any one of the above) it's fantastic.  I mean, seriously:

* Why are taxi drivers in this country seemingly all over 60?  It's always been like this, I think, but you just never seem to see a driver younger than 50, I reckon.

* Oh it looks like my flight is soon. Later.