Back to Tokyo

We set off bright and early this morning, retracing our steps back to Takamatsu Station. It marks the beginning of our journey home, and we are glad to be heading homewards.  Takamatsu station was a nice place to be - the ladies in the Willie Waffles kiosk there make the best cinnamon buns, and we munched on a couple and enjoyed a coffee in the sun waiting for our train. In the corner of the platforms there is a beautiful arrangement of flowers and vegetables. It says quite a lot about the place I think.

The Marine Liner, the train that runs between Okayama and Takamatsu, is a double Decker, and unfortunately our reserved seats were on the lower deck, so as the train passed over the magnificent bridges that hop from island to island, we had a view of concrete slab. But there are large sections where you can see, and there are magnificent views of little islands, sparkling blue sea and rugged coast.

We had around twenty minutes wait for our Shinkansen from Okayama, just enough time to buy some supplies for the long trip to Tokyo. The station bento boxes are great.

But the novelty of being on the train does wear a little thin after a few hours. We caught a glimpse of Hemeji Castle flashing by, and could only see the base of Mt Fuji as it was shroudēd in low cloud.

So, after eating everything and drinking everything and listening to a couple of "Short History of Japan" podcasts we hit Tokyo in time for afternoon rush hour. We were very glad we'd sent our bags on, as we had to catch another two busy  trains and navigate down what seemed like an extraordinary number of escalators. Once again Google maps tried to send us to the wrong hotel - it seems to struggle with Japanese hotels, or perhaps it only gives directions to hotels that pay? Whatever, I was cursing and struggling with the phone, while Anne looked up and saw our hotel a couple of blocks away. The hotel appears to be in a rather shady part of Asakusa, but it is very comfortable and convenient. We had dinner in an Indian restaurant round the corner, which was ok.

Tomorrow we want to visit Kamakura and the great Buddha there, and walk one of the hiking trails.