Travel day. Taking the shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto to spend a couple of days. Obviously, packing up and hotel check out started the morning before we headed to the station to hop a train to Tokyo station and transfer to the shinkansen line.
It took a little maneuvering to find our way to the ticket gate since the platform for the shinkansen is separate from the local rail lines – makes sense. There was a larger food selection outside the gate, but we were able to find something to meet the needs. I just needed coffee and water.
I’ve noticed how selections here for some things are less or not available. Like coffee. It was only available in one size. This was the same at Mom’s Touch the night before, but for soda. And, the convenience stores have a small selection of sodas. Coca-Cola is really the only thing they have, so you don’t see refrigerators full of it, just a row or two.
Anyway, we were in separate cars, so we split and boarded. I paid for luggage storage, so I wasn’t able to get the Mount Fuji view. Maybe on the way back. In my car, there was a group of Australians that brought a ton of snow gear, like boards or skis, and were cramming them in the storage area. This was directly behind my row. Didn’t think anything of it until we took off and noticed I couldn’t recline my seat, nor my row mates. Fortunately, one of the train crew made them stack it all in an empty row.
The ride was smooth, and I got a small glance of Mount Fuji from across the aisle. I got off, met back up with Mr. Horn, and we departed the station. Time for hotel check-in, and then an early dinner.
We decided on Japanese curry and went to CoCo Ichibanya chain restaurant. It was great and filling. The rest of the evening we spent walking around perusing the area and nearby mall. There are still Toys R Us stores here, in case you were curious.
Steps this day: 9,906
slow draw is... 