I got back home a little after 11 PM last night. I decided to try to do the 16 hour trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima (well, actually it was Kawasaki to Mukaihara) in one marathon journey. Started 7:06 AM and arrived home at 11:18 PM. Almost all of that was either on trains or transfering between trains, I only had one layover of 44 minutes. In total, 11 transfers and about 920 km. The fare would normally been around $100, but using the Seishun 18 Kippu it was only about $20. There were a couple times I had to stand for a short while, but it wasn’t so bad overall. I did have the forethought to bring some drinks and snacks, though.

I’ve got one more day on my ticket to use before September 10th, so I’ll have to think about a day-trip somewhere close.

Today I slept in and piddled around the house a bit. School starts again tomorrow, but I’m hoping there won’t be too much to do on the first day of classes…

I’m taking about a week and a half of vacation, heading up to Hokkaido using the Seishun 18 Kippu. I’m planning on stopping at a few places along the way, including a day in Tokyo. Hopefully I’ll be able to post a few pics along the way.

Pretty & pretty cool place, esp. since it’s not a repro like many other castles here. Second after Himeji I’d say. Got better lit pics on my camera. Now heading for Osaka for the nite & Nara tomorrow.

[view of Matsumoto Castle]

First time. Glad I’m not taller!

[View inside a capsule hotel in Tokyo.]

Went to Tokyo Tower this evening. Great view but was a little dissapointed monsters didn’t attack or I wasn’t whisked to another world…