Wednesday, January 18, 2024

• Big travel day – after nearly three weeks in Tokyo, it’s time to hit the road!
• We packed everything up and arranged for our suitcases to sent on to Osaka from the hotel. This was the first time we’d tried the Yamato/Kuro Neko transport luggage service, so fingers crossed it works as reliably and as easily as everyone seems to think.
• Jumped a packed rush-hour commute rom Shibuya to Tokyo St, found the Shinkansen gates, stopped for a coffee and picked up some ekiben, then jumped on the Hikari 639 towards Shin-Osaka Station.

• It’d been a few years since we’d rode the Shinkansen – turns out, still fast!

• We also got lucky as we were going past Fuji, it was a beautifully clear day, and I was able to get some test shots with my telephoto lens (that I picked up somewhere earlier on this trip, probably Yodabashi Akiba)

• Managed a bit of a nap on the train, the transferred at Kyoto station to a local HR line to our final destination of the day, Nara.
• Couple more snaps –

• Checked in at tyhe Daiwa Roynet hotel in Nara – we loved this place, so much so we’re staying there again in 2025.

• Had enough of travelling now we were there, so we Uber’d an okonomiyaki meal for lunch.
• Immediately went to check out their public onsen – already 5 guys there having a soak, but everyone was super chill, no problems whatsoever.
• A new character had released in the mobile gatcha game I was currently playing (Spiral of Chronos in Punishing: Gray Raven, bringing the release of Lee Hyperreal), so took some time rolling that dude, weapons, cub and memories.
• We ate dinner at the hotel, trying their version of Nara speciality Miwa Somen noodles – silky smooth and absolutely amazing.