Well Dad (of the Bradley variety) arrived safe and sound into Japan late Monday night for his second trip to Japan. I’d like to think that he came to visit me, but on his last visit he caught a train around central Japan and took the Shinkensen down to Hiroshima, this time, he came to finish his train Japan journey and go north. So we’ll be heading off to Hokkaido tomorrow morning for a glorious four-day adventure around Japan’s scenic northern island, but more on that when we return.
Dad started off his trip with a view of the Romance Car, a train that runs from Tokyo, past our window to Hakkone, Tokyo’s day trip getaway regon. I had informed dad that seats were booked out and that we wouldn’t be able to get a seat on this futuristic train and that his dreams would go unfulfilled, but I did offer to take a look at the train on the platform before it departed to show him what he would be missing out on. The train was nearing departure and we rushed up to take a look at the train. The special thing about the romance car is that the driver sits above the front passengers at the front of the train. This means that the seats go right to the front and you can sit in what would normally be the driver’s seat, giving you a 180-degree view. I encouraged dad to take a look at the plush interior before the train departed and he was a little hesitant as it was due to depart in a couple of minuets, little did he know that I actually possessed tickets to the train. As the doors started to close I needed to physically hold him back and he tried to jump off the train. I took him up to the second row seats and produced our tickets. The rest of the train trip was like being in a candy store with a schoolboy.
Arriving at Hakkone-yamoto we took a quick look around town before catching a small train, akin to a Switzerland zigzag train, and twisted and winded up the mountains. Hakkone is a tourist mecca, although it still retains a great deal of charm. It’s close enough to Tokyo to serve as an easy get away, but situated in a beautiful mountain reagin and protected by National Parks, it’s beauty is exquisite. At the end of the zigzag railway we caught a cable car up a very steep hill and had hoped to catch a ropeway over the top of the mountains, unfortunately we got there too late. The ropeway was operating, but only one-way. We caught the cable car and the zigzag back to the Romance Car and boarded. We had the second row on the way up and we were much further back on the return, or at least that’s what I led dad to believe. So when sad down in the very front seats, with the amazing view, I had fooled dad a second time. If the trip up there was like being in a candy store with a schoolkid, the return trip was like being in a candy store with an Alex.
Yesterday we went for a walk around the Imperial Palace and I mean literally around the Imperial Palace. We missed the entrance and walked the wrong way round to find it. Those Royals must surely have a good life. It reminded me of any Disney movie I watched with a Royal and made me want to be one. We walked through the East Gardens and the ornamental garden was beautiful.
Today dad is visiting the Rail Union and then we’ll head off to the Tokyo International Film Festival. Finally I get to watch a Japanese film with subtitles. Then tonight we pack for Hokkaido ready for our 6am train tomorrow morning. So wish us good luck and we’ll tell you all about it when we return.
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