If it lives in the sea it’s probably for sale at Tsukiji fishmarket, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.

We got up early – at 5:00 a.m. the ’seri’ (auctions) begin, and by around 8:00 a.m. the market is at its most frantic, with fish shop and restaurant people crowding in to buy fresh products from the specialised wholesellers, and scooters, trucks, forklifts hurrying around. Add to this the fact that I am not exactly a morning person – quite a challenge to shoot to be honest…

By the end of our visit, we sat over a breakfast of tuna sushi, rice and miso-soup at one of the market’s workman’s cafes. Miso soup at 8am? Hum, let’s just say it takes some getting used to for our French tastebuds (Croissants!!! Please!!!)

Vegetarians and those who just can’t stand the thought of dead sea creatures, well, there isn’t much we can do to help you. For the others, here is the gallery of shots of fresh tuna being sliced up with samurai-like precision. There is beauty in death.

Beatles fans in Tokyo are spoiled for choice, with pubs featuring Japanese Beatles look-a-like bands playing covers all night long.

We saw ‘Rough and Ready’ who are one of the regular bands at The Cavern Club in Roppongi, just five minutes walk from Roppongi Crossing.  This pub is actually more a Beatles themed live house. To give you an idea, Carvern’s orginal cocktails’ are named along the lines of Strawberry Fields Forever, Yellow Submarine or Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da.

The band were superb; four Beatles fanatics who, if you were to speak with them, couldn’t string more than a few words together in English but who sang any Beatles’ song perfectly.

Can’t resist to introduce you to them:

So tacky, but great fun!

Instructions in Japanese for the local post office to explain the Polaroid Project !

Get a Doctor Fish’s ‘pedicure’ and ‘manicure’:

 Obtain a Cleopatra’s nose thanks to the ‘Coco’ clip. ‘You wouldn’t miss a chance’!

 Be refreshed and cleaned in music thanks to the MP3 toilet:

 Always dreaming of sexier boobs or bottom?

Be the star of your next costume party!

Happy X’mas to everyone and don’t drink too much!

Hanatoro?!! What is she talking about? Well, it’s not the title of Hayao Miyazaki’s new animated film but a famous light-up Festival in Arashiyama, near Kyoto (lit. it means “flower and light road”). If you visit Kyoto in the beginning of December, you can’t miss it. Don’t forget to take a stroll through the enchanted bamboo forest behind Tenryuji Temple. Magic…like a Miyazaki’s film.

Romantically inclined folks and believers of miracles, rainbows and love at first sight in the subway, I have some bad news for you…Miracles and rainbows might exist but love at first sight in the subway certainly doesn’t. Well, at least not in Tokyo.

With women-only subway carriages without a single man inside, there’re few chances love would blossom underground.

Actually, groping was such a serious problem for Japanese women on the commute home, with packed subways where they were often forced into close proximity with men, that special cars were introduced to protect them.

At least you don’t have to tolerate male travellers various smells…Not romantic at all, I told you!

Downtown Kyoto is at its most atmospheric by night with its traditional wooden neighbourhoods converted into trendy (and expensive!) restaurants and bars.

Not much to look at by day, the streets come alive by night, crowned by the twinkling, beckoning and hypnotic charm of thousands glamour-laden lanterns.

We were lucky enough to spot ephemeral glimpses of geiko and maiko into narrow alleys, hurrying on their way to their appointments, and soon disappearing into the night.

And you thought kimonos weren’t sexy…

Buskers singing Bob Dylan’s songs…translated in japanese…which was, hum, interesting.

Really cool biker chicks…this girl waited patiently with her thumb up while I was taking shots of her.

And studs…Ah I love studs…Seriously, what would Rock’n roll be without a decent dose of studs? Like this shop filled with studded vintage clothes from floor to ceiling.

If you’d ever wonder where Sid Vicious’ beloved leather jacket was, no need to look further…

Rock’n roll for ever!