The Bullet Train:

We were advised not to take big bags on the bullet train, so we checked our bags into The Asakusa View Hotel lobby. We weren’t quite sure if they understood we were leaving the bags there for three days, but I think they got it in the end. Then we walked to the subway and took it to Ueno station, which would have been perfect except for our train departed from Tokyo station. Usually this type of mix up is my fault, but for once it was all Angelica’s. I immaturely reveled in this for a short period of time. For a second I wished I knew the Japanese phrase for “nyah nyah.” But of course I said nothing and kept my mouth shut, as this was a once in a lifetime mix up for her, and a weekly occurrence for me. But since we were nearly an hour early for the train we had plenty of time to get to Tokyo station. We still had twenty minutes to spare before the train’s departure. So I bought a supply of rice balls. Let’s make this train ride interesting.

Maybe you’ve seen pictures of the bullet train. Coincidentally it’s shaped somewhat like a bullet. Only a giant white bullet. Like maybe a bullet designed for giants. Or Godzilla. The inside of the train was nothing spectacular. It was just a train. The seats were comfortable. And they have a roving cart where you can buy beer or coke or Pringles. The attendants all bow when they enter and leave the cars. Angelica started making a gong noise every time someone bowed. It was pretty funny, but I think it was probably offensive in some way too. But only I could hear it, and that makes it ok.

We saw some great mountain views as the train cruised towards Kyoto. Mountains. The ocean. Fields. Cows. Refrigerator factories. You know, all that good stuff.