Day Ten - Hiroshima - to Narita (Tokyo Airport) - Planet Japan

So time to say goodbye to Hiroshima.  I liked it here.  It was quiet and it seemed peaceful.  Ironically, I briefly saw something on the news app today about FW Trump and his decision to pull out of some nuclear treaty.  Terrifying.  When you saw pictures of what the damaged did to this city and now, some 70 odd years later how they have rebuilt it and do not point the finger of blame at anyone, personally I think we can all learn something from Hiroshima.

We did say we would have a bit of a lie in this morning then make our way to the station for 12 noon.  However, I did not sleep particularly well.  The

We saw this food advertised in a 'British Pub' as traditional British Food.  I don't recognise any of it!

mattress, once again, was like sleeping on a slab.  Both of us were awake before eight.  Originally, we were going to pay to have breakfast at the hotel but after yesterday and me enquiring about a vegetarian option and the fact that it would have cost around £12 which in any currency is a lot to pay for some bread.  The view from the restaurant looked really good but not worth it.  I suggested that we just go, even though we have train seats reserved for our journey back to Tokyo. We left the hotel and made our way to the bus stop, caught the bus and got to the station.  We found the JR (Japanese Rail) office and rebooked our tickets.  So instead of going to Osaka and changing, we ended up changing at Kobe.  It was fine. I did not think for one minute it would not be. The Japanese are so organised.  The first part from Hiroshima to Kobe took about 1 hour 10 minutes. The trains obviously go so fast but you really do not realise it, apart from when your ears pop!  We did not have a reservation for seats on this part but there was no problem.  We have figured out now what you have to do and it works.

We changed trains at Kobe and took the opportunity to get a bento box.  For those of you who do not know, a bento box is a selection of food.  I love them and often have them for my Saturday night dinner from Wasabi.  Wasabi (a food chain) are everywhere in London and I am sure I am funding most of them. A trend which will continue when I get home.  For Andy, as always, it was easy. 

Me with the tourists (as you do)

He had the equivalent of a Sunday dinner, meat, rice, green beans, potato and some other bits.  I got my cards out that say three variations of I am a vegetarian, no meat, without meat.  The woman who served me looked beside herself as she tried to figure out what she could offer me. They really do not recognised vegetarianism as a thing here.  I was given a box, a small box, compared to Andy’s so went into the shop next door and bought a rice cake with tuna in it.  You can get these in London too and they are good for on the go.  They are basically a triangle of rice, covered in seaweed with a filling.  Mine had tuna mayonnaise. I also bought some crisp things.  I am pleased I did as my bento box was essentially six pieces of sushi; whilst Andy’s was full of sorts of meaty delights.

I was reading up on vegetarianism here in Japan and it looks as if I made the same mistake as a lot of people, when thinking because of Buddhism a lot of the people would be vegetarians.  This is not the case.  In face apart from Phoem Penn (the capital of Cambodia), this is the most difficult place I have had to negotiate around eating.  I am beginning to think I am such a fussy eater, and trust me I am not.  I just do to enjoy eating meat.  I read somewhere that after the war food rations in Japan were very harsh and most people only ate rice and vegetables and this lasted for many years.  Now they view a vegetarian diet as one that is for the poor.  As I keep saying, I have not gone hungry, it has just been a challenge.  

So I am typing this whilst on the train to Tokyo, it should take around 3 hours to arrive.  The Japanese use these trains like airplanes.  In fact, when I was

My Bento Box (more rice and fish basically)

looking to organise this trip I did look at flying back from Hiroshima to Tokyo and firstly it appears that not every major city has an airport.  Secondly, the flights are very expensive and far and few between.  But I can see why now as they have a fantastic train system that is totally adequate.  Plus you managed to get a good look at rural Japan en route as you pass through the smaller towns.

We changed trains at Tokyo (getting good at this now) and made our way to the Narita Express which took us straight up to the airport.  Caught the shuttle bus to the hotel and checked in.  It is OK, a typical airport hotel but plenty of room and my own bed!  We went down to the restaurant and opted for the buffet menu, a bit pricey but it is an airport hotel but more importantly, there was quite a bit there I could have.  So now I am feeling stuffed, the first time really.  Don’t get me wrong, I have enjoyed the food I have had but it has been a bit of a fuff.  At least with a buffet I could have a strange mix of

Andy's Bento Box!

everything.  Back to the room and chill.  I have packed as much as I can and we have breakfast included in our room.  The hotel run a shuttle to the airport so I think we will aim for the 9.00 shuttle as we fly just after 11.00.  

I have really enjoyed Japan.  It is a beautiful country and the people are so lovely, they want to please.  They are polite, quiet and attentive but not in a creepy, overpowering way.  I love the fact that when you get off the train and the cleaners are waiting to get on to clean it (even though it really isn to dirty), each one of them bow and say (I am guessing) some form of thank you.  Bowing is a huge thing in Japan and I kind of like it.  It is a beautiful country and I really would like to return at some point, after I have read up about it a bit, and explore it some more.

As always, with my love x