Nara, 13 October. As the Narita (Tokyo) airport train emerged from its tunnel around 6 this evening, I braced myself for big city-bright lights excitement. I was surprised to realize that my first impression of Tokyo was darkness. In the hour and a half I spent in the terminal, the sun had set and Narita had become pitch black. We had almost arrived in Tokyo before the landscape was overcome by the neon and flashing LCDs I had expected. From Tokyo Station, I boarded the Ginga Express, a night train that would take me to Nara via Kyoto.
If my first impression of Tokyo was darkness, then my first impression of the Kansai (Kyoto/Nara) region was light. When I dismounted from my upper bunk Ginga “couchette,” the sun had just risen, and the sky glowed pink over the distant umber mountains. In the foreground, pale green fields peacefully swished by. After the chaos of travel and mouse-trap maze of Tokyo Station, Kansai’s rural tranquility was a sight for sore eyes.
After 35 hours of travel in 9 vehicles, I arrived tired but happy at Sayo’s house in Nara. I have the good fortune of working with Sayo, and the equally good fortune of being in Japan at the same time as her vacation home. Her family welcomed me into their home for two days, and Sayo took me on fabulous tours of historic Nara. Definitely an auspicious beginning to my journey -- thanks!
Transport count: 1 bus, 2 light rail lines, 2 airplanes, 3 trains and 1 car (35 hours)
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