I enjoyed reading your post, it reminds me of my time in Australia, and how much I loved it! If you want to share any photos or reviews, I have a new blog that is just for that purpose. Continued safe travels!

dirty-hippies.blogspot.com

How many pots of Saki did you manage? Your dad and I managed 4 each before we fell sideways..........

Zander - what you saw are Jizo statues, the patron saint of travellers amongst other things:

Jizo Bodhisattva (Sanskrit = Ksitigarbha)
Jizo Bodhisattva, along with Kannon Bodhisattva, is perhaps the most popular deity of the common people in Japan today, a friend to all, never frightening, even to children. Jizo's many manifestations -- often cute and cartoon-like in modern Japan -- incorporate attributes from both Buddhist and Shinto traditions.

Jizo statues can be found everywhere in Japan, especially in graveyards, for Jizo is a savior par-excellance from the torments of hell. Jizo is often translated as "Womb of the Earth," for JI means earth, while ZO means womb. But "ZO" can also be translated with equal correctness as "store house" or "repository of treasure." Thus Jizo is also translated as "earth store" or "earth treasury."

Jizo provides assistance to those in hell or purgatory, especially children, but Jizo is also the patron of expectant mothers, firemen, travelers, and pilgrims. Jizo comes in various forms in Japan, many of modern origin, especially as the protector of aborted or miscarried babies (Jp. = Mizuko Jizo). In the broader and older Asian tradition, Jizo acts as a savior to all sentient beings trapped in the "Wheel of LIfe," in the "Cycle of Suffering (Sanskrit = Samsara)," in the "Six States of Reincarnation." This role is reflected in Jizo iconography, for Jizo typcially carries a six-ringed staff, or is shown in groupings of six Jizo statues. This symbolizes Jizo's role as savior to all those trapped in the six states of rebirth

Ciao Alexander it's Michi what a great experience ! Have a good time, enjoy every single moment Thanks to this blog, I will be able to follow your trip A big hug from a very cold Florence :-)

hope your having fun dude wack up some pictures of you and sme asian hookers bro x

wishing you the most amazing time. be safe, drink it all in and enjoy yourself. xxx