Thankfully I had a lay in, the festivities of the Gyobar last night gave me a foggy head. I packed up my stuff ready for the trip to Nikko.
Two hours north by train of Tokyo into the countryside. We had swapped the high rise buildings for high rise mountains. Straight off the train the vibe was completely different.
Despite being in cattle class, it felt equivalent to first class back home. When the train pulled into the station everyone queued to allow the cleaners to go through each carriage before we embarked – no way that would happen back home.
Each seat had ample leg room and even a fold out foot stool. From my window I watched the city give way to rice paddy fields. This time of year is when the farmers start preparing for planting. Tractors ploughed through flooded fields, as I whizzed by.
Soon lush green mountains and forests became the backdrop, heralding our arrival into Nikko. We called into a cafe where I sampled Chiffon cake. I had the orange chiffon, a light sponge cake that had bits of the fruit baked into it.
At 1500h we checked into our Airbnb. More of a traditional style accommodation for our brief stop in Nikko. It also provided our opportunity to do some washing!
We had a relatively chilled evening, getting a few beers and food from the supermarket and cooking it at the house. A Total shift in gear from Tokyo.
Tomorrow we will be visiting the shrines which this region is best known for.
Stu's Camino 