By Shinkansen to Kyoto

Our first sight of Liz in 8 months

We were up bright and early next morning, we were still waking up early as a matter of course, and I updated my web log. The sun was shining as we got took our luggage downstairs to the foyer at 6:45 and we were not surprised to find the taxi waiting for us. We set off in the taxi on very quite roads towards Tokyo station.

The driver dropped us off at the Nihombashi entrance to the station. As we walked towards to station we could see the Starbucks sign but the angle of the glass and the sun made it difficult to see inside. It was only as we got up close did we see Elizabeth in her normal position - reading. Needless to say the reunion was wonderful. After hugs and kisses we asked how the journey down from Yokote had been. Long, hot and tiring. She had not got much sleep.

The Shinkansen, ready to depart.

Once we had exchanged news our first task was to arrange the train tickets. This was a new experience for me so I was glad Liz could help. Rita and I had obtained rail passes before coming to Japan so we could travel without additional cost. Unfortunately Liz being a long term resident would have to buy a ticket. The first major task was to find where we could buy the tickets, one that took credit cards. We visited three booking offices before we found one that accepted cards.

The interior of the train

Thankfully the clerk at the counter had very good English and we managed to get the tickets reasonably easily. It was our first sight of the famous "Bullet Train" or as they now want it to be called, the Shinkansen . , the New Trunk Line.

With time to spare we before the train was to leave we took the opportunity to have a Starbusk'd breakfast and to buy some snacks for the journey. When we arrived at the platform we had to wait for a few minutes for the train to be thoroughly cleaned before we could get to our seats. The whole experience is like getting on an aircraft. Plush, very clean interior with comfortable spacious seats. The windows have five layers of glass to keep out the noise. The train left on time, exactly to the second. We watched the centre of Tokyo and then the suburbs flash passed. The train was so smooth, none of the dumpity-dump of the British trains.

Steve replenished lost moisture

Liz took the chance to catch up with her sleep and Rita and I read our books or gazed out of the window. I also took the oppotunity to sample some of the local drinks and replenish some of the liquids I had lost during the past three days of walking. The highlight of the journey, well for me at least, was the appearance of Mount Fuji. Initially the mountain appeared between buildings and other obstructions and it took a good 10 minutes before it came into full view. I was one of two people, the other was a German, who leapt up to take photographs. The pictures were taken while the train travelled along at over 140 mph and through the cabin window.

Mount Fuji

To ensure I got a few good pictures I just snapped away trying different settings and zoom levels. Thank goodness for my digital camera, I must have taken over 40 pictures in the ten minutes Fuji was visible. Some were out of focus, some obscured by buildings and constructions near the railway line.

After reviewing the results I ended up with just 6 pictures I thought worthwhile keeping. If I had used a normal 35mm camera it would have cost me £20 to have had these pictures developed and printed. This volume of images was not unusual and was something that happened every day. I have estimated that I saved around £425 on film processing during our trip.

The 'Bullet Train'

The trip from Tokyo to Kyoto is about 515 km (320 miles) and it took just 2 hours 24 minutes for the whole journey including stops at an average speed of over 133 mph (214 kph). There are faster trains covering the same journey at an average speed of 145 mph (234 kph). Needless to say we arrived right on time.

According to the information we have been given the ryokan, Station Ryokan Seiki, was not too far away and as the weather seemed to be holding back from the forecasted rain we decided to walk.. Kyoto staion is impressive and there were plenty of restuarants in the concourse for us to select from. We arrived at the ryokan at about 1pm and was able to register and then collapsed in the rooms.

We were in Kyoto - another new adventure.