11/28/2023 Faster than a Speeding Bullet!                               Tokyo to Nagoya to Ise to Toba.

 

Time to depart from our teeny, tiny room for places we've never visited. Our checked luggage went in one direction, and we headed toward the train station to catch the world's finest quick-transit Bullet Train (Shinkansen in Japanese) to Nagoya.

It wasn't my first ride on this incredible train. In 1975, my friends Betty, Peggy, and I enjoyed our first experience during a trip we took from Australia to the Orient during a summer break from teaching. 

Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains introduced the world to modern high-speed rail travel and currently operate at a maximum of 186 MPH. (Some can speed up to 200 MPH). As of August 2022, the fastest train on Earth, based on its record speed, is the Japanese L0 Series Maglev, which has a record speed of almost 375 MPH!

Miki, "#1 Japanese Trip Leader", would give us a heads-up as to the best shots of Mt. Fugi, and I managed to get some pretty good photos on a perfect weather day, despite the Bullet Train speed and trying to hold my cell phone steady while swaying on the platform between the cars.

I love trains and wish the U.S. invested more in them for public transportation. We had highly comfortable seats with plenty of legroom, spotless bathrooms, and spacious windows on either side for sightseeing. Boarding didn't require unending lines, dealing with the TSA, global entry, or check-in. The station signage was clear. 

We hopped aboard the Kintetsu Express train in Nagoya to continue our transfer to Ujiyamada Station. We were encouraged and had plenty of time to visit a 7-Eleven to pick up lunch when we changed trains as we headed to Toba. 

Below is the bento box I chose, along with a large Asahi beer for just under $15. I was in heaven! 

After arriving at the Ujiyamada Sation, we rode to the famous Ise Shrine ( a collection of shrines in a riverside complex with some structures dating back 2,000 years). It was a breezy Fall day that required layering for the journey while in the shaded woods, so I was pleased when we returned to the sunnier areas.

Miki

I never heard of Toba, Japan, but it was a fantastic experience, beginning with its phenomenal Hotel Todaya Toba, a destination for locals with few tourists. In fact, we were probably the only non-Japanese during our stay. It was like night and day compared to Tokyo's teeny, tiny Ginza Grand Hotel.

Check out this room and my view...

Poor red slippers are not allowed to journey 

beyond the toilet.

This hotel had multiple restaurants, so we had to pay attention to each of the coupons we were given for meals, or we would still be roaming the halls. I loved the two-sided placemats indicating if the table was taken or available. I never had to worry that my seat would be taken while I refilled my coffee cup or revisited the French toast station continuosly during breakfast.

continuously

Hotel Todaya had a swimming pool, spas and hot tubs, and masseuses. I enjoyed an hour-long deep tissue massage by a masseuse who couldn't believe how short my little fingers were. Her tugging and pulling were for naught.

Dinner was one amazing course after another. Almost everyone was in their kimono. I was too tired to change after my massage, so I documented everyone else instead.

But, the star of the hotel was the lobby robot. I loved watching the little ones'  fixated reactions - at first, fear and confusion, followed by copying the movements. I learned from watching them that there were six short programs on the touch screen (some were more animated than others, but the best was when Mica interacted with him).

D