My luggage has left me. I am putting myself in the hands of Japanese efficiency and having it forwarded to my next hotel. This leaves me free to experience one of the other Japanese marvels – the Shinkansen. The first line was completed by 1964 in time for the Tokyo Olympics, and many parts of the world are still playing catchup, hampered by bureaucracy and politics. Nothing like a political will being hampered by a short term wish for re-election. Never mind the future, or even common sense.
It takes an effort of train navigation to be rewarded by it’s efficiencies, especially for a foreigner not versed in the multiple Japanese alphabets. But it is worth it. Travelling at speeds up to 300km/h I was able to visit Odawara and it’s reconstructed samurai castle, originally established in the early 15th century. If you really wanted to play the tourist part you could dress up as a samurai or ninja – at a price. Or you could stick with the reality and marvel of the thick stone ramparts and embedded gates made out of century old trees.
On the way back to the station for the return journey there was a light dusting of snow as I walked by the multitude of smaller eateries selling various seafood prepared in various ways. A reminder that Odawara is a seaside town with nearby mountains and their ski resorts on the other side.
Back in Tokyo I checked in to my new hotel in readiness for extending my advice beyond the city with a small group of hopefully like minded photographers.
