Pagodas, parades and paper lanterns - May 2016

Gig at Festival, Hibiya Open Air Theatre

Pagoda and golden statues in the temple complex

After waiting on the runway at Heathrow for three hours due to a technical hitch with Swedish airspace, we were concerned we'd be seriously exhausted by the time we reached Japan. But luckily we received such a warm welcome that we forgot we were tired and entered into the spirit of the place.

Great to reconnect with friends, and thrilling to visit one of the largest temple complexes, the Daihonzan Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple. It's one of those special temples beyond both an inner and outer gateway at the end of a market street. In the temple compound are other smaller temples and shrines, a huge pagoda, ornate graves, golden statues, water and bridges. We were also treated to a parade of Buddhist monks and a musical display, replete with dancer in lion mask...

The gigs at Club Citta Kawasaki, Hibiya Open Air Theatre Tokyo and Osaka Namba Hatch were all equally magical and personally moving with brilliant crowds. We tore across Japan from Tokyo to Osaka on the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka hitting speeds over 180 MPH, with a glimpse of Mount Fuji through the haze on the way.

Thanks to Nobu, Miyuki, Maayu, all the team in Japan and Wayne Forte of Entourage Talent. I always look forward to returning.

Now Jo and I are off to Beijing for a four day break...

Steve in Japanese garden

Steve joins the dancing lion | The Beggs Werewolf

A parade of Buddhist monks

Lantern in the temple gateway

Band at Club Citta, Kawasaki