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Nikko is a town, in Tochigi, a few hours by train to the north of Tokyo. It is mainly known for the Nikko National Park (日光国立公園, Nikko kokuritsu koen) and for Toshogu, the mausoleum of shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, first of the Tokugawa shoguns. The shrines and temples of Nikko have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Toshogu itself is a very brightly decorated Shinto shrine deep inside a complex of shrines and temples inside the Nikko National Park. You can enter the shrine, but they don’t allow taking photos inside.

Walking in this area almost makes you feel as if you’re a couple hundred years back in time, if it wasn’t for the hordes of visitors and automatic vending machines. It is in my opinion one of the most beautiful places in Japan and I enjoy going there from time to time.

Keep reading to see the photos…

By popular request (popular meaning my coworkers’), here’s how I cook my Spanish omelette.

Ingredients (for 4-5 people)

• 7-8 medium-sized potatos
• 1 medium-size onion
• 8 eggs
• Olive oil (I used a 450cc bottle)
• Salt
• A bit of milk (1/3 of a small glass)

Keep reading for the full recipe.

If you know me, then most likely you’ve heard me talk about this car before. The Lotus Elise is in my opinion the most awesome car ever: minimalist interior and just the bare minimum of driving assists to make this car the most fun to drive in the world, at 1/4 of what you would expect to pay for an equivalent Porsche or Lamborghini.

As you may know, the new Elise S version was released last month. Next weekend there’s a presentation event in Daikanyama. These are the details:

２０１２年８月３日〜４日（朝１０時〜夕方１９時）
代官山T-SITE
東京都渋谷区猿楽町１７−５

The same thing, in English:

August 3rd and 4th, from 10am to 7pm
Daikanyama T-Site
17-5 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

I will be there on Saturday 4th from around 10:30am. If you’re coming too, just send me a message!

I live within walking distance to the Arakawa River in the northern border of Tokyo. The river acts as the border between the Tokyo metropolis and the Saitama prefecture. As in other parks and natural spaces in the city, there are always people jogging, cycling, praticing baseball, and even water skying! The well-known Sumida River branches from the Arakawa not far from where I live. It flows into Tokyo Bay near the Kasai-Rinkai Park next to Tokyo Disneyland.

I took these last year, during a walk a beautiful summer afternoon.

The photos are after the break.

Hakone is a mountainous area about 100km south-west of Tokyo. It is a very popular touristic destination because of its many onsen, beautiful scenery and its proximity to Tokyo. You can get there easily by train (JR East or Odakyu).

Hakone is one of my favorite places around Tokyo. I visit there from time to time, but I like it especially in winter. One of the best experiences you can have is being at a rotenburo (an open-air hot spring bath) while it’s raining or even snowing

More after the break.