Snow, Onsen and Crab!

[VPS]

Sigh the lunch didn't happen, queue was too long.
However I did take some pictures of Kenrokuen in snow.
Hmmm please wait for the photos when I get home )

Of course

 

[rbjhan]

As discussed before, the new pricing makes national JR pass very bad value for most I'd say.
However JR West still sell regional passes and the price is not bad. I bought a Kansai Hokuriku 7 day pass for 19000.
Problem is, even though unlimited rides on express trains are allowed. After the 6th time neither online or machine will let you make seat reservation anymore.
And they got rid of non reserve seats in most of these trains!!!

 

[rbjhan]

Which means, if you want to ride an express train, queue up at Midori no Madoguchi! Damn I hate those long lines with a passion. //rant over.

Luckily Haruka (the airport train) still has non reserve seats. So I'm sitting in one now amongst all the passengers with big suitcases haha.
I'm not going to the airport obviously. Need to transfer to Shinkansen at Shin Osaka. I'm going to Kurashiki.

*Yes, another con of this pass is that you can't take the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin Osaka as it belongs to JR Tokai.

 

[rbjhan]

So I took the 10 am Haruka, arrived at Shin Osaka about 10:30. Made the 10:37 Kodama towards Hakata.
Hmm, I remember Kurashiki seems to not have too many good restaurants.... maybe have lunch at Okayama instead?

 

[rbjhan]

Hmmm as it turned out maybe I shouldn't had lunch in Okayama....
Ordered my customised TN cover in Kurashiki, but it won't be available till 4pm....I have a dinner reservation at 7pm.
It will be a mad dash back to Kyoto!!
Currently Google maps is saying I should be back at 6:30....We shall see....

 

[ShelleyB]

Hmmm as it turned out maybe I shouldn't had lunch in Okayama....
Ordered my customised TN cover in Kurashiki, but it won't be available till 4pm....I have a dinner reservation at 7pm.
It will be a mad dash back to Kyoto!!
Currently Google maps is saying I should be back at 6:30....We shall see....

I look forward to seeing a photo of the cover!

 

[rbjhan]

I look forward to seeing a photo of the cover!

Sure thing!
Let me tell you, that shop is DANGEROUS.

I feel like I didn't pick too many things, it came close to 20K Yen!

 

[ShelleyB]

Sure thing!
Let me tell you, that shop is DANGEROUS.

That just makes me keener to visit.

 

[rbjhan]

That just makes me keener to visit.

Hey I've never been known to encourage NOT spending money

 

[Seat0B]

But honestly, I don't think posting on the go would do it justice....maybe some kind of a diary and then the proper TR when I get back!

Exactly what I'm doing! i don't know how people manage it on the go on a phone. I just keep my trip diary the old fashioned way - by writing in a diary and sticking in interesting tickets, receipts, brochures etc. I like re-reading these randomly at future times. And I use them to put together my AFF TR.

 

[rbjhan]

Exactly what I'm doing! i don't know how people manage it on the go on a phone. I just keep my trip diary the old fashioned way - by writing in a diary and sticking in interesting tickets, receipts, brochures etc. I like re-reading these randomly at future times. And I use them to put together my AFF TR.

Yes I'm only capable of writing some random thoughts on the go.
No idea how people can finish a whole trip report like that!
Plus I really need the computer to work..... Phone is not enough!

 

[Seat0B]

So far the Airalo esim is working great, if anyone wants to know....

How much daily data do you typically use, rb? I'm trying to get a handle on how big an esim to buy and am not sure how my use here versus on the road would stack up.

Airalo has worked very well for me, in numerous countries

We have had great results with Airalo in Japan, Thailand, Spain and Portugal, but a total failure in Sri Lanka. It's not the cheapest, but it is the easiest we have had so far.

For our 3 week trip to Japan, we got 5GB ea and came home with at least 2 GB ea still left. We did email, news scrolling, video calls to home, and general internet using, but no streaming or heavy social media uploading. YMMV.

 

[Justinf]

Yes I'm only capable of writing some random thoughts on the go.
No idea how people can finish a whole trip report like that!
Plus I really need the computer to work..... Phone is not enough!

I recommend getting really sick and doing nothing at nights other than typing away on your iPad.

 

[rbjhan]

I recommend getting really sick and doing nothing at nights other than typing away on your iPad.

That requires an iPad, or some tablet...
I'm a phone only kinda gal on the go.

 

[rbjhan]

Got on the 4:40 Nozomi from Okayama. Non reserve seats are chokers! I could only find a free middle seat ;((
Good news is I should be able to make the dinner!

 

[rbjhan]

Bunch of people got off at Himeji.
Managed to find an aisle seat!

That vacated middle seat was taken in no time though...In case you are wondering how busy it is!

There are people standing in the space between cars.

 

[rbjhan]

Okay I know why now.
Starting tomorrow it's a long weekend.
In Japan this is much more important as AL is not a thing mostly.

 

[Matt_01]

@rbjhan is the public holiday ‘The Emperor’s Birthday’ I always find it interesting when travelling and happen to be there for National Holidays that you had not planned for or knew about. We were once in China during Golden Week and it was busy (an understatement) last year I was in Mongolia during Children’s Day and it was an experience to see the change in Ulaanbaatar and Sukhbaatar Square on that day. We have been in Japan for some of the major festivals but avoided Golden Week.