Sapporo Heading South - Can't keep the Idiot Out

[Noel Mugavin]

Only a couple of stops to Shimbashi Station, and then a short walk to Don Quijote
Old Shimbashi Station






Last Japan dinner at Coco Curry


Back on the Yamanote to Shinjuku for some more photos. An unfortunate 20 minute delay on the packed train at Gotonda Station, had enough of being a sardine and got off at Yoyogi Station to get some fresh air and stretch the legs.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The quintessential Shinjuku shot

 

[Noel Mugavin]

I was fading fast and umming and ahing about heading to Golden Gai. In the end, decided to make my way down there






Didn't last long, so one last look at Shinjuku and a rid eon the Yamanote and back to the hotel.
Bit of a stroll up to Zojo-ji Sange Gate.

And back to the hotel and the last night in Japan

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Up early and down to the monorail as I wanted to try and get a sunrise shot at Haneda.


The luggage




Plenty of time for photos, was fing cold though








I wasn't 100% sure where the sun would be coming from, didn't quite have my bearings. Ended up not being so great due to a bit of cloud around

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Enough was enough, my hands were just about frozen and I needed to get back into the terminal and get rid of my remaining yen.
A last egg sandwich


Dropped the bags, through immigration, a t-shirt from uniqlo, bits and pieces from the 711, end result 6 yen left.
To the lounge and some breakfast


The ride to Singapore


Uneventful flight, JAL's entertainment selection is pretty bare though.
Hour and a half in Singapore, then the last leg to Perth. No upgrade unfortunately, bloke in the seat next to me told me his flight from Bangkok was late the day prior and missed the connection, and he and others had been re-booked on today's flight. Few business seats taken from that flight perhaps.


Late night arrival into Perth and so ends another visit to Japan.
Very much enjoyed the snow, disappointed missed out on Ginzan Onsen as I was with the lack of snow at Kawaguchiko. Having said that, I was spoiled by the viewing conditions of Fuji, and I think I'm suffering a bit of Fuji overload.
Tried a few new things - herring roe - no; unagi - undecided; uni - liked it, however took the very safe route of it being in a deep fried croquette with cheese. Don't know how much of a uni taste I got.
As for over tourism, get out early, get to the places least visited.
I have already booked another trip for the last 2 weeks of January 26. Will have another attempt at Ginsan Onsen and will also spend a bit more time in Tokyo. Have had only brief visits the lat few times, so time to rediscover some parts of the city.
I have been spending a bit of time learning Japanese, however I went to water under pressure and was very disappointed in my poor performance in that regard. As an aside, we have had about 30 Japanese students at our school the last 2 weeks so have been getting a bit of practice with some of them. They are very polite, being very complimentary of my efforts. Feel a bit guilty though, one of the boys has taken to footy, gave him a Freo Dockers ball I had sitting around. Next day he comes in with a Freo water bottle, have set him on the path to disappointment.
That;s it from me, thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it

 

[Black Duck]

Thanks for the interesting report Noel. Great pictures especially of Fugi

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

The texture of uni puts me off it so I think you cheated a bit there! What a fantastic trip. Thank you so much for sharing some of the more off the beaten path points in Japan!