Ah… There is always a point when you think about going home. Given how short this break was my current thoughts are “why can’t this be longer!?”

It has been a great trip, we’ve discovered some new places, tried some new food, had great experiences with our Japanese friends (thank you Gaku & Ryoko- so great to see you both again), experienced lovely gardens, and spent time discovering new suburbs. It’s been great fun, but so short. It really feels more than just over a week. However, Mt Fugi continues to elude us…. I guess it just means we will have to return.

More on the other side of the pond….

Yes it’s true! Excellent coffee can be found in Japan! And with tasty cake.

Last Japanese breakfast today. When we entered the room we were asked if we wanted Japanese breakfast…. YES! Man it was fantastic, the fish was lovely, as was all the accompaniments. We finished it off with a coffee – in the hope of staying awake.

This food will be missed!

We arrived back into Tokyo at around 5pm yesterday.

I’ve been given the hurry on…. So today will be a day for walking, checking out interesting places, food, and catching up with friends.

Okay… Not quite the drink of choice, but refreshing.

Today will be a day for castles, design, and a train ride. We better get to it!

After arriving in Nagoya and dumping suitcases at the hotel (because in Japan you can not check-in before 3), we jumped on the train and headed out to Kinji-foto where we visited the SCMAGLEV and railway park.

From the start it is a very impressive museum devoted to the history of train travel and Shinkansen. It contains aversion of all 39 Tokadio Shinkansen, conventional and maglev rolling stock on display. There are a lot of exhibits explaining how the technology works. A number of the trains you can walk on and look at the interior, as well as around. A large number of the information panels featured English, in addition to options to press buttons and turn handles :). According to the exhibit, the maglev should be operational by 2027…. Something to come back and experience!

There were a number of people and school groups visiting – and popular with people. We certainly had a good time – it’s worth going.

It is located in an industrial part of Nagoya, where you have fabulous view of the port and harbour. Adelaide pales into comparison!

We had a great time in Kyoto… Lots of walking, cycling, boat riding, climbing steep hills, and eating. Now traveling to Nagoya – less than an hour away.

These are fantastic! Coffee version of cinnamon cookies, traditional sweet of Kyoto. Company has been around since 1689.

Today being Wednesday, the Scenic romance train doesn’t run. However, we hired bikes instead and cycled around Arashiyama. We’ve seen some monkeys, eaten an icecream, visited a temple which is 1200 years old. Now it’s time for lunch!