Last stop in Nikko was to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. These are scenic river rapids whose pathway is lined with numerous statues who have taken on a character with their growing moss and red caps.

The area is just over a 2km walk from the main temple area so does not get many tourists as the only travel option is on foot. Also the rains had now decided to start hammering down quite heavily.

The rain always waits for me and timed its worst for my arrival. There was nobody here although a small group did arrive as I was leaving.

I made my way back to my hotel where I had left my bags. There are two Nikko stations, the old one in front of my hotel, and the Nikko Tobu station closeby.

I walked in the rain with my bags to the Tobu station only to be told my JR pass does not work here and I had to go back to the older station by my hotel.

On arrival back at the older JR station the train had just left but the next train was not for more than one hour. There were some historic features but not much to do for the hour wait

Finally the train came and it was a scenic ride thru the open countryside.

With the urban sprawl of Japan it is rare to see such open landscape which was similar to Korea.

As we neared Utsunomiya the urban sprawl began.

At Utsunomiya I transferred back to a bullet train on the main line to Tokyo.

Again the First Class Green Car was empty.

The train from Tokyo to Kyoto was almost three hours from 17.33 to 20.12. The bullet trains seem fast when planning but it does take time to cover the ground they have to travel.

I'd been to Kyoto on my first trip in 2011 so when I arrived at Kyoto station I was familiar with the surroundings. There were several people wearing traditional kimonos.

The rain was coming down again as I left the station and walked to the hotel. I had a general idea where it was but I was walking round the same streets in the now heavy rain which once again timed its vengeance for my arrival.

After asking in another hotel for directions I eventually found it. Rather than a traditional capsule which I'd already stayed in a couple I went for a Business Cabin this time.

These were walk in closet style compact room with a flat screen tv and room to store luggage. There were also economy style cabins with less floor space and just the mattress between the divider walls. This hotel also had a womens floor as normally they are mens only.

I would be here for two nights so a chance to shelter for tonite and wait out the heavy rains.