Day 10: Kurashiki and Aloha Hiroshima

We really made good use of our JR Pass by taking the Shinkansen everywhere we could go.  A short ride got us to Kurashiki, a town that was formerly used as a film set for old samurai movies.

However it's been gentrified with paved sidewalks and modern restaurants and shops.  Susan was disappointed that the old town with narrow streets and alleys, full of tiny shops was not as she remembered five years ago. 

The lovely river that flowed down the center was lined with willow trees and wisteria which was probably in bloom last month.  The side street was very cute and quaint and we found clothes that fit us! This was quite an accomplishment as Japanese clothes do not fit typical American bodies, yes, even us.

Our soba lunch was delicious; in a small family restaurant.  We both had thoughts of getting back to reality and home.  From this experience I can honestly say that Japan is not expensive if you eat local-style and travel by train and subway. 

The furoshiki bag/purse idea has been growing on me since Tokyo; got a small one to use for evenings and it also packs flat too.

Wayne made reservations at a tempura restaurant and pre-ordered our dinner.  Wow!  How special and there were only eight seats.  He bought out the restaurant just for us four.  A sweet young couple own the place and do all the work.

After dinner we joined Cheryl at a street fair "Yukata Matsuri".  It was crazy busy with food and toy vendors lining the shopping areas.  People were walking all over the place because the roads were closed.  Lots of fun.

The walk back to the hotel was not as long as I anticipated and being Friday night, there were lots of young people out enjoying the evening.

Back to Hawaii tomorrow--we are prolonging the vacation by traveling from Hiroshima to Narita by Shinkansen; should take us about 4 hours with one transfer.