Day 1 - Friday 25 March 2016
It’s always somewhat of a challenge negotiating your way around Japan Railways. We had pre-booked a JR Rail pass but it was JR East. Of course we then go to the wrong Ticket Office and are redirected to the other side of the station which is a real schlep with all the cases. Finally we get our passes but the next train with seats is 2 hours away. No matter its lunch time.
Cases in tow, we wandered out of the station and under the railway arches are a range of lunch joints. We chose one an having been before realise that you need pay at the automatic ticket machine and chose your set meal. Despite the cases the ladies were very helpful and found us a seat in the corner surrounded by all the luggage.
Having been to the maze that is Tokyo station we allowed plenty of time, which is always needed as you negotiate corridors, escalators and thousands of travellers. As it turned out we had time to spare which was a good thing as Stuart had managed to strain his back muscles that morning so we were taking things extra slow.
Needless to say the train left on the dot and we headed north to Morioka. The secret of travelling in Japan is pre-planning and the information about Times Car Rental said it was 2 minutes from Exit b4. But where was Exit B4? Little did we know it was not the station exit but exit B4 from the underpass from the station !
Luckily, although the lady in Times Car Rental spoke not a word of english, she gave us the keys and after a quick fiddle with the SatNav to ensure it spoke in English we headed out of town !
It’s always somewhat of a challenge negotiating your way around Japan Railways. We had pre-booked a JR Rail pass but it was JR East. Of course we then go to the wrong Ticket Office and are redirected to the other side of the station which is a real schlep with all the cases. Finally we get our passes but the next train with seats is 2 hours away. No matter its lunch time.
Cases in tow, we wandered out of the station and under the railway arches are a range of lunch joints. We chose one an having been before realise that you need pay at the automatic ticket machine and chose your set meal. Despite the cases the ladies were very helpful and found us a seat in the corner surrounded by all the luggage.
Having been to the maze that is Tokyo station we allowed plenty of time, which is always needed as you negotiate corridors, escalators and thousands of travellers. As it turned out we had time to spare which was a good thing as Stuart had managed to strain his back muscles that morning so we were taking things extra slow.
Needless to say the train left on the dot and we headed north to Morioka. The secret of travelling in Japan is pre-planning and the information about Times Car Rental said it was 2 minutes from Exit b4. But where was Exit B4? Little did we know it was not the station exit but exit B4 from the underpass from the station !
Luckily, although the lady in Times Car Rental spoke not a word of english, she gave us the keys and after a quick fiddle with the SatNav to ensure it spoke in English we headed out of town !