tohoku - part 2

the last i posted about my tohoku trip was i joined junko and the kids at their house, together with kyoko. junko and kids just returned from disneyland not long ago and we were just goofing around.

now the non-kids kena the minnie mouse hat. ha.



then we all headed for dinner. short walk to the train station where there are many shops and restaurants.



we ate at this interesting place. basically, it serves many types of bread. you can order any main course and the bread is free-flow. the breads are just placed on baskets just like how you will find them in bakeries.

many japanese restaurants are very kids-friendly. they will pass a basket full of toys around and kids get to choose one item. at least the toys keep them busy.

main course-pasta (cannot remember if this is what i ordered)

kids meal-wedges and mini hamburger

bread

more bread. i remembered the black one to be squid ink bread. how cool.


dinner done! we had to part. aw. hope to see all of them soon.



the following day, i had to part with kyoko too, as i headed north on my own. here begins my solo journey! took a local train to ueno station so i could hop on the shinkansen　新幹線 (bullet train). the signboards at the train stations have english and japanese by the way so no worries you non-jappies out there!


love trains! see it approach!


you can prepare yourself before the trains arrive by looking down! they are so precise. they let you know exactly which door you are suppose to be at when the trains arrive. woo.


this is my ride! Shinkansen Max Yamabiko　新幹線MAX やまびこ! it is a really cool train. a double-decker!



along the way, more sakuras!


yes, solo journey. so you will see more of my self-taken pics along the way. me in the train!


i was heading for nikko 日光 and had to alight from the Shinkansen at utsunomiya station 宇都宮駅 to change to a local train. this is the city of utsunomiya. had a quick peek and a breath of fresh air before plopping myself down for another hour of train ride.



arrived at nikko station. beautiful nikko. can you see the snow-capped mountains in the distant? although spring is here, the snow have yet to melt.


took a bus to go towards Lake Chusenji.


halfway, i stopped at Akechidaira Ropeway 明智平. which it supposed to have a superb view.



can you see the zig-zags? it is the famous zigzaggy slopes that leads to Lake Chusenji and back.


i hopped onto the ropeway (also known to us as 'cable car') and yes you can see me and my backpack.