Meganebashi a.k.a. "Spectacles Bridge" is so called because the reflection of this 1634 constructed, double-arched bridge over the Nakajima River is said to resemble a pair of specs. It is the oldest remaining example of a stone-arch bridge in Japan. However, in 1982 a violent flood resulting from a typhoon washed the bridge away. It mattereth not, as the original stones and some surprised ducks were meticulously collected and the bridge was re-assembled to its former glory. It is an exceedingly picturesque area with a multitude of fish in the clean, clear water, and an excess of guano on the toepath from incontinent birds. This is only one of a series of stone bridges across the river, each being the entrance to a different temple. As a direct result of all the hassle caused by the storm, all typhoons, hurricanes and audible gastric ejections have been outlawed. Anyone found in possession of such, will be subject to a stern glance and a suitably ironic remark.

The beginning of May sees a series of national holidays that combine to be called 'Golden Week'. They were originally implemented to force Japanese workers to take a holiday and so avoid 'Karoshii'; literally death through overwork. One of these is 'Kodomo No Hi', (Childrens Day) and celebrates the little dears before they get old enough to drink, smash up Dad's car and throw up in phone boxes. Streamers of Koi carp are hung from poles (and any other underemployed east Europeans), buildings and phone lines etc to flutter proudly in the breeze. Carp are a symbol of male strength in Japan, and while I did hear Australian residents fly plastic koalas, this is likely just a rumour. The carp banners provide a beautifully colourful start to the Golden Week holiday which also features "Midori No Hi" (Green Day), a favourite for amphibians everywhere, and "Kempo Kinem Bi" (Constitution Day). Here are some artistic pictures of carp.