Picking up the pieces in Japan.

[drron]

No we didn't though our time there wasn't conducive to much exploring.

 

[drron]

I now headed to the front of the shrine to see the reason this place is a recommended attraction. In fact if on a bus tour you only see the front of the shrine.

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And no I didn't walk on water for that shot.

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[drron]

We continued along the highway stopping at a mall as it had a Daiso shop.Once again mrsdrron found things that she didn't even realise she needed.At 108 Yen they are a bargain.However proof reading is not always great in Japan.

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Our plan was to turn inland on route 303 and then go down the valley that parallels the lake.There was something vaguely familiar about the sign to route 303.

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Despite the weather there was still beauty in the scenery.

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Passed little villages and despite the weather people camping.

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[docjames]

An early start.At breakfast everyone was given 2 big grapes. No idea why.

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I’d have assumed based on the prior post it was a special offer to their VVIPs given that must have been about $20 worth of grapes.......

 

[drron]

Would be a great drive in good weather.

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Now some of mrsdrron's shots through the windscreen.There were lots of tunnels and emerging from them was the best time for a photo.

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The GPS was often interesting.

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I was finding it easy to drive despite only having a GPS that was in Japanese. You cant go fast as the top speed limit we came across was 80kph.On this road it was 50 and down to 40 on the twisting sections.And the Japanese police do have unmarked police cars.

 

[drron]

I’d have assumed based on the prior post it was a special offer to their VVIPs given that must have been about $20 worth of grapes.......

Yes it was those that were gold ambassadors or above.You got handed a card that was displayed on your table.Different colours according to status.

 

[drron]

Back to the hotel but stopped off at a new mall not far from it.If fine probably a 15 minute walk away.looks new and a few businesses had the Japanese hallmark of a new venture.

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None of the restaurants really stood out so we got our fish and rice bowl at the food court.

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Down in the supermarket they had Japanese haney.

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Looked just like Australian honey!

The next day was no better.The view from the restaurant showing the other side of the hotel views.

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[drron]

A paddle board lesson on the lake as we prepared to leave for the days drive.

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An unusual road bridge.

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First stop or actually slow drive by was Hikone castle.Poured as we arrived so definitely not a day to walk the grounds.A narrow road goes halfway around.We first turned left so the castle was on my side for pics.

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The boat tours around the moat were operating but there seemed to be a lack of passengers.

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I think the ducks and swan were going to be unlucky.

 

[drron]

Now we have turned around most of these are mrsdrron's pics.

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Mrsdrron really likes the spider lily which has become a symbol of autumn in Japan as it flowers at the Autumnal equinox.

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[drron]

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There was a reason why the swans were here.

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The gardens next to the castle.Not nearly as impressive as Kanazawa.

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Me and my chariot.

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[drron]

The last of the garden.

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[drron]

The last of the drive around Hikone Castle.

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[drron]

As we drove away we actually got better views of the castle from the main road.

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[drron]

Back on the road and the weather wasn't changing.

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At this spot the rain had stopped so I stopped.

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Because across the road was this.

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[drron]

The striking statue here is of a horse.

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A black horse at a Shinto shrine is representing a prayer for rain.Well it certainly worked today.

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Just after the shrine you enter a fairly long tunnel. On the other side the rain had returned.

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Along with signs telling you the bleeding obvious.

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[drron]

Driving down the west side of the lake we came to something we had seen before.

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But the weather got worse.

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We stopped at Katata station to book our train for the next day's run to KIX. At the station a familiar name.

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We had hoped to stop at a crab restaurant just before the toll bridge but it was closed. So stopped at the supermarket and bought some sushi and fruit.

Despite the weather I enjoyed my time here.The hotel was excellent and obviously a lot to see in the region. I also felt confident now about driving in Japan having been confronted with terrible weather and a GPS with no English.hopefully we return one day.

 

[drron]

The view at breakfast from the hotel.

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We dropped the car off and then caught the local train to Kyoto. An unusual behaviour from a Japanese mother who got on about 2 stations from Katata with her ~ 3 year old son. She screamed at him for at least 10 minutes. She kept pointing at his arm which appeared to have a small burn. The look on his face was one of terror. He was obviously fearful of his mother. I wanted to go over to him, give him a big hug and let him know that things should get better when he is older. For the last 5 minutes of the trip he got a small car out of his pocket and played with it quietly. Not a sound passed his lips.

But notice by the time we had reached Kyoto blue sky was appearing.

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The one on the left is the Haruka for KIX. On the right yet another type of JR Ltd Express.
So the views from the train.

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Began to notice some signs of Typhoon Jebi's strength.

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Then passed through Osaka.

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[drron]

As we got closer to KIX evidence of Jebi became more frequent.

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It was reassuring to see planes taking off from KIX.

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Looking back on the bridge from the terminal.

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And then the reason road services were not back to normal.

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A piece of the roadway is missing.

 

[drron]

Slight drama arriving at KIX as our tickets had not been stamped.Let us exit anyway.After check in we had a sushi lunch.Quite a few restaurants before security with a good variety. Once past security we had a Starbucks and mrsdrron found a new Kit Kat flavour- Kyoho grape.She just had to have some.

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A great place for watching planes.

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And our plane to take us to OKA - Naha,Okinawa had arrived.

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[drron]

We had an advance purchase J ticket.Not meant to get cheaper but it did-probably because many had cancelled after Jebi.A 734.2-3 per row for J and 3-3 in Y.Doubt much difference in leg room-

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Certainly no difference in service but then it was only 1000 yen dearer than Y.Some views on our way to take off.

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And rolling.

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And off over the fast ferry.

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