Kyoto, 03.05.24

Getting from Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, our next destination, is not quite straightforward and I had not booked anything online. One choice was going back to Tokyo and then by shinkansen to Kyoto. The other one was taking a bus from Kuchigawiko to Mishima, which is a smallish town connected to the main railway lines. Online were several departure times but a reservation was required. In the end it was not all that difficult although the bus was almost full. Departure was 10.55am with about two hours travelling to Mishima to catch the Shinkansen at 13.46 directly to Kyoto. 

Kyoto Railway Station

Mishima was a neat little station with separate platforms for the local trains and the Shinkansen. As we were a bit early we could watch the Shinkansen trains arriving and departing at very short intervals. On one track passed the express trains without stopping which was fascinating to watch as they did not slow down at all. What was interesting is that the Shinkansen run on the same tracks as ordinary trains. They must be laid down with great precision and care. 

A ticket for the Shinkansen is usually threefold. One is the receipt, one showing the departure station and arrival station and the third one the reservation seat number. On the platform one has to look at the third ticket to see which car the reservation is in and what seat number. Then one lines up at the right gate and the train stops at exactly that spot!

They are really amazing these Bullet Trains. We travelled between Hakata and Tokyo at 300km but still inside it was very quiet with no vibrations. Acceleration was noticeable and braking smooth and comfortable. In the Green Cars the seats were large and soft and could be reclined and the space between seats was very generous. The use of cell phones for calls was prohibited and passengers were asked to refrain from loud talking. Very civilized it was and very safe.

Shinkansen

 

Yet the Shinkansen sort of works on old technology. They run on standard gauge and standard rails which are welded together to provide a smooth ride. No magnetic elevation or other fancy stuff. The first Shinkansen operated in 1964 between Tokyo and Osaka. It is a busy line with more than 143 million passengers per year. 

We made it to Kyoto in good time and through the crowds we found the local train service to Toji station and from there five minutes on foot to our hotel named Omo3. The same hotel company as in Tokyo but a different level of comfort and service. This one had a nice reception area with a corner for coffee and snacks. The room was neat and tidy. Perfect. It also had a laundry where we could get our clothing up to scratch again. Perfect. Plus down in the lobby area we could buy two mugs for coffee and then with the mugs the amount of coffee we could drink was limitless! 

In the evening we tried to find somewhere to eat but the recommendations of the receptionist were all booked out. We ended up in a little bar not far from the railway station where we had duck, dumplings, rice and garlic bread! for dinner served and cooked by an unenthusiastic waiter and cook. We were the only guests at that time and they just could not be bothered. It showed in the food. The beer was nice though. 

Izakaya Restaurant Kyoto