Mar 13 - Nagoya to Ito

Woke up and packed to get ready to take the trains to my last major stop in "Ito" south of Tokyo.     Checked out around 9am for an 11:29AM train, so decided even with my 

"packs" (luggage turns into knapsacks) that I would walk from the Ryokan to the train station -- about a 25 minute walk, but I'd figured out how to get there without getting lost.

On the way I saw this guy on a bike fully loaded, as it were:

Got to the station and stored my luggage in a locker.   Walked around and found a breakfast "bread and pastry" place to eat at.

After breakfast I still had an hour a change to wait for the train.   I saw a queue forming in front of one of the department stores and

people with chef's hats inside setting up a big table.   What better to do than wait in line?    So I got in line (I was only person number 8 or 9).

By the time they opened the doors - about 10 minutes later - the queue was around the corner with more than 30 people.    Turns out

they were all waiting to buy these pieces of funnel cakes that are so popular here in Japan.    Basically a circular "wheel" cut from a 

large log of cake that is made by dripping batter on a spinning spindle, which forms a log as the batter cooks on the spindle and grows

larger and larger (thicker diameter) over time.    I got one small piece to go in plastic -- others paid more for larger pieces or pieces in 

pretty boxes.    About $3 US.   Planned on having some on the train later.

Went downstairs to the lower levels of the department store, which is where the "food for sale" area is.    It was like a huge gourmet market.    Walked

around for a while before settling on a small sushi and veggie plate to take with me for lunch.   Came in a little 'bento' box and with a small ice pack to keep

it fresh.    The sushi I picked was cooked sushi, so not like it was going to go bad (some pressed eel and shrimp and mackerel).

Got to the platform with about 30 minutes to wait and then got on my train.   First train (or two) was a Shinkansen (bullet train) and I was in the first car

all the way front.    This was actually a "bad" thing in that I had to walk all the way up 16 cars from where I got on the platform, but I guess I needed the

exercise.

Here's what the car looked like from my seat and some of the images out the window as we got underway:

Getting close to noon it was time to break out the lunch:

And after lunch the conductor made his rounds to check on tickets:

There was a lot of scenery as we continued in the direction of Tokyo (or in my case Ito) -- as with most trains a lot of "telephone and power poles" :-)

BUT being Japan we eventually got to somewhere that had a rather spectacular backdrop -- Mt Fuji!

Here's a video of part of the "Fuji Fly By"

To finally got to Akima station, which was my "drop off point" to transfer to a train to Ito.    I got off and tried to find the platform to Ito, but misread the sign -- actually it was a "dual" platform 

for two lines and I, of course, got on the wrong line!   Ugh!    Figured it out about 4 stops later, so got off and went back.    No charge -- just a waste of time!

Made it back and found the correct platform, then had about a 40 minute wait for the next train.   Got on the correct train and headed towards Ito.    Took a few pictures out the window

as we headed in that direction or stopped at a few stations in between:

Got of the train in Ito and grabbed a cab to the Ryokan.    They were waiting "en mass" for me at the front door, greeting me, taking my luggage and 

shoes (giving me 'house shoes' to use).    The assistant manager who insisted his english was 'not good' was fine -- went through various things with me

like how to use an Onsen (I knew already but let him do his thing), where the onsen baths were in this ryokan, when dinner would be served in my room, etc.

All very nice and professional.    He showed me the "funicular", which is used to avoid the 75 steps up the hillside (read as "cliff") to the outdoor onsen they have

way up high.   Will take pictures of that tomorrow and post.

The room is huge and typical ryokan in style.   When I arrived it was setup for 'table service' and a lady immediately showed up and provided me with a little

sweet treat (a jello like rectangle) and hot tea.     She left as I was having this and then I took some pictures of the room.

Put on a Yukata that they supplied and headed for the funicular and the "upper" outdoor onsen to soak for a while.    Again, pictures tomorrow.

After soaking there for a while i headed back down the funicular to the indoor hot-tub onsen and soaked there for a bit too.    Feeling much relaxed from

my travels I went back to my room and, after about 15 minutes, they arrived to serve me dinner!

As with previous trips to Japan this was an elaborate multi-course meal with lots of little elements to it.   Here are pictures!

What a great meal!    As they were serving dessert they came in and cleared my table and replaced it with a futon for sleeping.   I got into bed and

read for little and then fell asleep.