I haven't been on the Shinkansen for a while and I forgot how awesome they are! Sleek and huge. You could have one as a pet if you were a giant. Anyway the lovely lady on the tannoy welcomed me in as usual and now we are flying towards Tokyo where I will change for Mt Fuji. [I realise that I am writing most of my blog entries on the train and I'm only on the train so much because I have my rail pass. So make the most of the regularity now!]

I Pokémonned hard at the Pokémon Center in Osaka but the Pokémon that they give away in store don't go to English games. I think its a mild form of racism.

Mr Yano is a cleaner at the hostel. He is the most enthusiastic man ever and he took a group of us to another isakestu pub thingy, and though we didn't know what was going on most of the time we had a laugh (me, 2 Swiss and 2 Aussies). I tried too many new foods to list but the highlights were the chicken dumplings and the hot Kobe sake. Lots of it was fish etc and I chewed them quickly and swallowed it before my gag reflex rejected it. The important thing is i ate them with minimal fuss! They have huge radishes here which are tender and tasty.

Status
• Looks like the snow is really coming in now :) ...
• I've really settled into travelling mode now and am feeling pretty healthy...
• Excited to go the the main Pokémon Center in Tokyo...

Food: Okonomoyaki. Was really tasty, I think it's like a pancake version of bubble and squeak.

Maz Hockstar, I have a Japanese question, if you can press a button and turn around your seats on trains (as I read in your earlier post), does that mean that at any point on a train journey you can just press a button and start rotating like a bond villain? I hope it does. Also, I'm liking the stubble, it gives you a genuine explorer look. Keep up the good work :D Jan 7, 2013

Fiona Hockin I realise that when you hit Thailand the blog will be a little thin so enjoying it all at mo. Jan 8, 2013

Vivienne Locke Wow Alex - so glad you are having such an awsome time! Loving your Blog! Ride on Man!! tons of love V&A Jan 9, 2013