This morning we were up and showered pretty early because we were to be on the Shinkansen from shin-Osaka at 8.40am. We caught the local train from Osaka straight to shin-Osaka where we found a large store, Eki Marche, which sold bento boxes (just as Chari said there would be). With the comprehensive description of the contents all in Japanese, we took a guess and picked bento boxes without seafood (Tom's preference), and we weren't sure if they were breakfast, l...

What a day - very challenging. My knee is still unreliable, so Tom went hunting and gathering for breakfast, and managed to bring back some sandwiches (a little uncertain of the filling in one of them, but the other was egg, lettuce and carrot), and some milk for coffee. After brekky we set out toward the aquarium - catching a JR train to Bentencho station, and then catching a different subway train on the Chuo line to Osakaka - this involved using a machine to b...

We arrived in Tokyo very early, just after 5am, as the city was awakening. Before we went through immigration I had my first experience with Japanese public toilets! As I lowered myself to the seat I took stock of the various buttons "spray", "dry", "bidet" etc with their accompanying illustrations, and then I was startled to hear the loud sound of rushing water. I thought I must have touched one of these buttons by accident and was about to get doused - head to ...

Happy birthday Oliver!! So sorry we can't be there! We hope school is especially fun for you today, and we know you will love your birthday dinner - with your selection of pork belly, and the look of mum's incredible cake - I think you'll have a marvellous time! We took our time packing this morning, and watched an episode of West Wing while we mentally went through our packing lists, until it was finally time to call a taxi. Chari came up to the station with us ...

All packed and ready to go. My suitcase is very light and looks half-empty..... What have I forgotten??? Looking forward to experiencing life in Japan, albeit as a tourist. Uncertain of how we'll go language-wise, but impatient for the adventure to start. Anticipating beautiful landscapes.