Day 6: Kyoto to Hiroshima on the Shinkansen

Got up early and walked through Nishiki Market.  This is another covered arcade but with food shops galore!  Wish I could have brought back everything I saw.  We also hit Loft and Takashimaya after lunch and actually got lost walking back to the hotel.  It was like a twilight zone episode--when the familiar become strange--it seemed like the hotel disappeared.  I had never been to Kyoto and did not get my bearings well enough.

Still, we made it back to the hotel, did a quick check out and got a taxi to the train station.  Kyoto station is so large that you must tell the taxi driver if you are taking a "train" or the Shinkansen.  Entrances are different.  So specialized and yet convenient.  Another short two hour ride with one transfer brought us to our final destination, Hiroshima. 
This route went through the countryside, hilly with green bamboo forests, cedar and other conifers.
The Rhiga Royal Hotel is first class!  Nice single room tonight.  My suitcase sent from Tokyo, was waiting in my room. 
Met Wayne's friend, Mr. Nakaiki who graciously and generously hosted our dinner and karaoke after dinner .

Tomorrow, Tuesday, begins the 'package-tour' segment, in which we join the others traveling from Honolulu.

Day 5: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto

Going by train is such a civilized way to travel.  Our departure was early in the morning (7:30am).  Being Sunday, the station was empty and we had Green Car reserved seats.

The Shinkansen (bullet train) is so smooth-riding and fast!  There are rarely any bumps even though I could hear the train wheels on the tracks.  It glides so smoothly but does have a little side to side sway. The Japan Rail (JR) trains and system are notorious for running on schedule to the split second!

Arrived two hours later in Kyoto; before lunch and check in time.  Kyoto has somewhat of a casual vibe compared to Tokyo.  Since we couldn't check into our hotel, we stored our bags in lockers at the train station and took a local train and then a local bus to Mizu no Mori to see water lilies and lotuses.  Not lotus season yet! But the lilies were in bloom.  This was a healing and relaxing day.  The local bus wound through the outskirts of Kyoto and wherever there was space, a rice field was planted.  The homes are just like those seen on TV.

I was inspired to put colorful, seasonal plants outside my front door.

Back in the city we walked to Sanjodori shopping arcade.  This connects to Teramachi and many, many other covered arcades.

We met Susan's sister Nan and her  husband Ed, at Katsukura tonkatsu restaurant for dinner. 

Toyoko Inn is a cute little hotel, just right for overnight.  Breakfast in the lobby was perfect for us, onigiri, tsukemono and miso shiru.  Susan made a good observation that this little hotel caters to women by the following indications:

• Welcome packet of useful items, hairband, shampoo, conditioner etc.
• Breakfast provided in lobby
• Women clerks at Front Desk