The Train Experience

Day 2 in Tokyo we exchanged our Japan Rail Pass ($1600 for the two of us for 3 weeks) for all the tickets we need to travel around Japan. We bought the white pass (not first class green)) and it is perfectly sufficient, even with Ted's long legs, lots of room for us and the carry-on bag in front of me. We reserved seats and have found it really easy. Trains go punctually to the minute, the guards bow to the driver when he enters the station, they bow to passenger when they leave your car. All very formal. We have to show our JR pass even when using the tickets but it's a cursory glance. On busy lines, it's hard to stow lots of bags but they don't seem to use the front seats so you can put them there too,

  The first trip is out to Takayama, west to Nagoya, change trains (bit chaotic for us but enough time) then north into the 'mountains' (2000ft). We brought all sorts of gear for cold weather, but it was 30 and raining up there! A brief view of Mt,Fuji poking out of a cloud, then everything disappears into the mist again. We will get another chance on the way back to see it.

  Rolling through lovely small farms, rural landscrapes and then following a rushing river up to Takayama was nice as it had finally stopped raining. But as soon as we arrived it started up again..Ted now has a big see-through umbrella and I've bought another folding one so we are set for serious rain now. I have a full length raincoat and rain jacket but it's too hot to put on much - light clothes, umbrella and good shoes does it.