Day 13 - Kyoto/Tokyo

Checked out of our hotel and headed North again to see the Kinkakuji (the golden temple) and the zen rock garden. It's out by the onsen we went to so we dropped our bags off in a locker at Kyoto station and headed out that way.

Both were pretty easy to find and we used the bus to help us get around. It was also an overcast day so it rained a bit but nothing more than what we get back home... drizzle.

The zen rock garden was our first stop and I joked that we were paying to stare at rocks... which we were but it was pretty nonetheless. Plus I believe John Mayer was here a few months back (I saw a picture on his website) so there was that. ;) We walked around the grounds snapping photos and finally discovered what that wonderful smell was, it is a flowering bush. Jeff snagged a few of the little flowers as he has been pressing leaves and stuff like that in his book. He seems to like doing that, who knew.

After the garden we hopped a bus and headed to the golden palace. It is beautiful and very gold! We took a ton of pictures which I hope to post soon (facebook has been pooping out on me). We had a little sit down for tea time and they gave us a sweet and green tea. It's so crazy that our trip is almost over!

Kyoto is now officially over so we headed back to the station to catch our 3:30 train to Tokyo - it's a 2 hour trip. We ate our lunch we bought at the kiosk and then I napped most of the ride.

Once in Tokyo we found ourselves following the same path we had at our very first days here. It's much easier now!! We checked into the Westin and then decided we wanted to eat Neapolitan pizza for dinner which we were both excited for! We headed to Partenope, the same place we had gone last time around. It was just that good!! For dinner we had their buffalo mozzarella pizza, a salad and tried a pasts this time as well. OMG it was soooo good!!! We even finished a bottle of prosecco as well. A few of the staff members remembered us from last time and chatted with as much as they could. Jeff took pictures and talked more with the people who work there. He even gave his San Marzano pin to the server we had from last time. I don't think I can even explain how much fun we had, just know it was memorable!

After dinner we walked out of the restaurant and saw a guy at another restaurant across the street just standing there. I waved to him and he waved back. We went over there for a drink - it was an Indian restaurant. We chatted with the guy who worked there, he was from Nepal and has been here 3 years. His English was great. Then after that we decided to go see if that tiny bar we went to last time was open... it was so we went in and sat down. They only have 8 seats and 4 were free. We ended up staying there till about 3am chatting and drinking with the patrons and the guy working the place. One woman there spoke English due to living in NY for a few years so she helped. We took a ton of pictures with them and they asked us to come back tomorrow at 7:30 for sushi as the older guy is a sushi chef. We are totally going!!! Amazing night!!!

Day 8 - Transition

Today was more of a day of transition and not really much to report. We packed up from Sendai and then hopped the train to Hiroshima. We had to switch in Hakata. It took a little over 2 hours.

Once at the hotel we just relaxed and then went down at 6:30pm for the curry rice the hotel was feeding us for dinner. I have never had a hotel give free breakfast AND dinner. We have stayed in the Toyoko-Inn in a few cities and it's really reasonable and always in great locations. Perfect for backpacking b/c then you don't have to haul your bags very far from the station. They are western style hotels but for the price you can't beat it. We saved over $3000 for the trip and haven't even made it half way through our money yet. Everyone told us how expensive Japan was and it definitely can be but we've managed to do really well on food and the rail pass has paid for itself as that is our only mode of transportation thus far. We haven't used any cabs, which are expensive, and staying close to the station has worked out well. We venture out on buses. trams or the trains to explore the areas we stay in.

Anyway, back to my post... Jeff LOVED the curry rice and has requested we make it at home as he now seems to love curry. He actually ate 2 big bowls of it b/c the kitchen lady made him take another bowl later in the evening. We took a walk to check out the small suburb of Hiroshima we are staying in... Now much here but a Pachinko parlor, which we checked out. When we returned she made him take more rice, which he gladly did of course!! Once in the room we watched a movie (War of the Worlds) and caught up on blogging and downloading pictures.

Shinkansen

To say that the Japanese train system is extensive is an understatement. It is a vast network of bullet trains, local trains, trams, monorails, and subways. My favorite is the bullet train or "shinkansen." The efficiency alone of these wonders is incomprehensible. When the train ticket shows a departure of 16:29 (4:29pm), the train leaves the station at the exact stroke of 14:29. Everyone is in line and ready to board with the Conductors assisting people on and off in an orderly fashion. There is a series of chimes and whistles and then the doors shut making an air-tight seal. Only one time has a shinkansen that we were on been late and it was only 2 minutes late at that (it was a relay shinkansen that connects to a major line). Anyway, these trains travel at over 200kmh and the ride is smoother than an airplane. The decor inside is extremely spacious and plush with hostesses selling food and drink. There are smoking cars, western-style toilets, internet connections, play areas for children, etc. We have ridden the shinkansen now about 10 times and will ride it many more times over the next week. So far we have been on the following trains:


Hikari - means "light" - travels at 270kph - 300kph (almost 200 mph)
Kodoma - means "echo" - travels at 285kph (about 175mph)
Tsubame - means "wing" and "swallow" - travels at 240kph (relay train) to 260kph (over 150mph)


The shinkansen is an incredible experience and our JR Rail Pass has been paid for several times over. There is nothing quite like listening to your music, drinking a beer, and eating some Japanese food while sitting in a plush chair made of bamboo wood cruising at almost 200mph as the japanese countryside rushes by. Welcome aboard!