NSun's 2025 Adventures in Asia

[NSun]

I checked out of the hotel and went to the train station - well, at least the one I thought was right. I ended up going to the wrong one so had to get a whole new ticket - one of the stupidest mistakes I made in my life. Basically it was from Shin-Osaka rather than Osaka station...or it could've been the other way around. Anyway, enough whinging and self-resentment.

I got an ice coffee from a cafe chain called Doutor.



I went on to have dumplings for lunch before boarding the delayed train.



I then went on a walk around nearby department stores. I almost wish I would've bought a thing or two but the power plugs would make it not worth the effort.

 

[NSun]

Then when I knew I was at the right station, the train ended up being delayed by an hour. Ah well, I got to see some of the other trains.





This is the one that'd take me to Tottori.









And onward we went. We passed through Kobe.





Akashi - a city where Mitsubishi has a major factory.



This bridge was I believe the line for the Shinkansen.

 

[NSun]

The last hour or so saw us go through some rural areas that honestly reminded me of Switzerland.









Coming into the city.



And finally made it - 4 hours later than expected. Took me about a minute to find old mate.



Unfortunately old mate took a couple of days off work to see me and the first of those two was 'wasted' if you know what I mean. Oh well, he was still happy to see me as he hadn't had many visitors lately and he was looking forward to seeing me. We did get to spend the rest of that afternoon and all day the next day together.

He is someone who always knew he wanted to do something involving Japan as he studied it at uni and is fluent. He was a lifesaver to me as no one spoke English here - he helped me check into my hotel. My hotel was the Green Rich.





The view from my room.

 

[NSun]

Old mate took me on a walk around town and then took me to dinner. This prefecture is the smallest in Japan and didn't look like somewhere you'd go as a tourist unless sand dunes were your thing. But I did enjoy catching up with him at all that had happened in our lives in the past year or so.























That night, we had dinner at this fast food chain - Sukiya.



My order - was about A$10 all up.