Three giant paper lanterns hang between the wooden pillars of the Hozomon Gate, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Worshippers pray and sacrifice at Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo

Incense sticks are lit before being placed at the Sensoji Shrine, Tokyo

6.5 million people use the Tokyo metro system every day

"Oshiya" is the name of the staff who have to push passengers into the Tokyo subway during rush hour

The cell phone should be set to manā mōdo - silent, you should not eat or talk loudly in the Tokyo subway

The all-walking intersection of Shibuya, Tokyo

Fish couldn't be fresher, restaurant right next to Tsukiji fish market, Tokyo

The mirrored entrance to Tokyu Plaza Shopping Mall in Omotesando, Tokyo

At the top, the roof terrace of the Tokyu Plaza Shopping Mall in Omotesando, Tokyo

Sometimes it gets very tight in Tokyo, freeway next to residential building

The Shinkansen high-speed trains form the backbone of the Japanese rail network

Shinkansen, high-speed trains, are leaving at 3-minute intervals and dispatched in an orderly fashion

Departure with lots of hand signals: "Shisa kanko" ensures absolute safety, Kyoto

Shinkansen depart on time to the second and arrive on time to the second

Arrival at Kyoto's gigantic train station

Hanami, the cherry blossom festival, Japanese women admire the sakura blossoms in Kyoto,

We are also out and about by bike in Kyoto

Always in rank and file: burdock root 'Tokinokawa Long' on a market stall

The famous Naruto whirlpool under the Onaruto Bridge, the connection from the mainland to the island of Shikoku

At Ryōzen-ji Temple, the start of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Route, we are interviewed by a local reporter

Indeed, hardly walked and already famous, start of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail near Naruto, Tokushima

And we are ready to set off with our white jackets for just some of the 88 temples

A "henro", a pilgrim at Kakurin-ji, temple number 20 of the Shikoku Pilgrimage Trail

The pilgrimage route measures 1200 kilometers, here three rather lazy pilgrims on the trail of the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai)

Hotsumisaki, Temple No. 24, Muroto Peninsula, Kochi Prefecture

Sound stone at Hotsumisaki Temple No. 24, Muroto Peninsula, Kochi Prefecture

A calligrapher decorates our pilgrim books with the temple's signet

Hotsumisaki-ji Temple No. 24, Muroto Peninsula, Kochi Prefecture

Stone staircase of Chikurin-ji Temple, number 31, Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, Kochi, Japan

Cherry blossoms can still be admired even in the rain

Our hosts have booked us into a traditional thatched-roof house in Ochiai Village, Tokushima

It is a historic farmhouse, but equipped with modern technology inside

Full board in a traditional thatched-roof house in Ochiai Village, simply unforgettable, Tokushima

The Sansho Shrine among cedar trees near Ochiai Village, Iya Valley, Japan

In the famous Nagoro Doll Village - all the dolls were made by Tsukimi Ayano, the last inhabitant

Nagoro doll village: Tsukimi Ayano wanted to fill her depopulated mountain village with people. Now they are coming back: as visitors

Historic Kazurabashi Liana Bridge, Oku-Iya Double Vine Bridge, Miyoshi, Tokushima, Japan

Waiting for the train to take us back to the mainland, we never missed a train in Japan

Four happy and fresh pilgrims at the start of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail

Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail, this section took 9 hours to arrive at our country inn

Stone steps lead through the mountains of the main island of Honshu, Kumano-Kodo,

The four of us mastered route maps, timetables, ordering food... mastered everything! Main island Honshu

We arrived on time - but with sore muscles - at Mama-San's (Mrs. Yamane ) ryokan in Yunomine!

The food (here katsuura tuna) in guesthouses is always overwhelmingly beautiful and tasty

"All handmade" announces Mama-San Yamane proudly

Some dishes in Yunomine are cooked in a hot spring

Orientation by the wayside - yes, that's where we are, isn't it?

We reach the Hongu Taisha Temple, main island of Honshu, for the Spring Festival

Hongu Taisha spring festival, Shinto priest in festival robes passes through the main gate

Shinto priests wait for the start of the big ceremony

Hongu Taisha spring festival, Shinto priests gather in front of the main temple

The Saito Goma of the mountain priests (Yamabushi), fire rituals at the Hongu Taisha festival

Our tea is freshly prepared and served, Hongu Taisha Spring Festival,

Toilet rule: Never stand at the urinal with your slippers on! Put on your toilet shoes! ... but change them again afterwards!

Pilgrim in aristocratic pilgrim dress from the Heian period on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route

Pilgrimage group on the Kumano-Kodo path, Nachi Taisha

While the woman hikes in traditional dress, her husband accompanies her in outdoor clothing, Kumano-Kodo path

The Katsuura harbour and fish market is Japan's largest, after Tokyo

Moonfish at the Katsuura fish market

Harbour restaurant (Iroha Zushi) in Katsuura offers the finest fresh tuna

And here is one of the best fish platters, freshly caught and raw - too good to eat!

In the famous Ritsurin Park with its over 1400 manicured pine trees, Takamatsu, Kagawa

"Green thumbs" everywhere during the manicure of the ornamental pines in Ritsurin Park, Takamatsu, Kagawa

Somewhere on the way back we stop off at a truck stop

Lots of porn comics in the book corner of the truckers roadhouse !!!

Built in 1916, the Uchiko-za Kabuki Theater is one of the most beautiful in the country

On stage in the historic Uchiko-za Kabuki Theater, which was saved from demolition

Coffered ceiling with beautiful paintings (from 1975) in the main hall of Iwamoto-ji Temple No. 37

Brooms in rank and file, Iwamoto-ji Temple No. 37

With Mariko's family at an excellent seafood restaurant where the sushi master served just for us, Naruto,

Sushi masters are true artists for the eye and the palate, Naruto

Too nice to eat !!!

Yoshiaki is a sushi chef at a family restaurant in Osaka

A farewell dinner of the four "pilgrims" with our hosts Fumiko, Mariko and Takeshi at home