mrwunrfl

I leave for Japan for Bali in 5 and a half hours and am a bit sad to be leaving. My JR Pass is good for two more days, so I thought about staying. But, I am leaving for Bali and not back home and work.

Yesterday, started at the Tokyu Inn in Matsumoto. It is across the street from the bus terminal which is across the street from the JR station. The previous day, the bus from Kamikochi stopped on the street at the side of the terminal. After getting off the bus, if you turn around and look up you will see the Tokyu. The room was actually a bit bigger than standard business hotel and recommend the higher floors to be farther from the railway.

Caught the bus from the front of the JR station to go to Matsumoto Castle. I told the driver that I wanted to go to Matsumotojo which was a good thing. He announced the stop when we got there, it was not obvious. The bus was 100 yen and runs on the hour and half hour, I think (schedule was posted). I got the 9AM bus and was at the castle in less than 10 min, I think.

Matsumoto-jo is magnificent and well worth the visit. There is a nice collection of muskets inside. Followed?@the route through the castle and then walked back towards the station. Stopped at the M-Wing building, second floor, where there is free internet. Checked hyperdia and changed my plans. Instead of the 11:10 train to Shinjuku, I would catch the 11:03 train to Nagano since it was only 50 minutes, or so, away. My New Japan Solo book had a map of Nagano that showed that it was an easy walk from the station to Zennoji Buddhist temple. Got a seat for the Nagano train and also a seat on the 13:58 shinkansen from Nagano to Omiya where hyperdia told me I could catch a local train to Shinjuku.

I made the 11:03 train for Nagano. About 35 minutes bfore arrival, the train begins to descend down a ridge giving great views of the city in the valley. Stowed my back in a koin rokka and caught a bus for the temple (temple, I think, not shrine). Not worth paying the 500 yen for the route inside the shrine unless you are Buddhist, I think. Had lunch on the way back and made it to the Shinkansen with 10 minutes to spare.

It did rain a bit on the walk back from the shrine to the bus stop and, like KimJapan said, umbrellas did suddenly appear in the shops. One had umbrellas for only 300 yen.

The Asama Shinkansen trip to Omiya was interesting and I made the connection (11 minutes) easily to the local train that arrived Shinjuku at 1600. Checked in to Hilton and made it to Tokyo Dome in time for first pitch at 6PM. The Sapporo team )(Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters) lost to Fukuoka 9-3. Gotta go.

mrwunrfl

Actually, it was 9-6

emd

This is inspirational. I hope I can get the timing down as well as you have on the trains, buses, etc. Right now that is my biggest concern, figuring out all the transportation and schedules to see if the itinerary is doable. I have given my son many of the schedules to research, and it is driving him nuts but hopefully will teach him the goodness of planning for travel. I am glad for you (and envious) that you got to see a game in the Dome, or any game for that matter. It appears we will be too early for Japanese preseason 2005 games, we will miss them by about one week (according to the Commish on that Japanese baseball site, I've been emailing w/him). How in the world did the team get a name like the Ham Fighters?
It sounds sad to leave Japan. I bet you'll be back in Japan again. I know we will go back again, and we haven't even gone yet! Bali should be another adventure, and that nice new hotel.

Elainee

When we are in Matsumoto we will be following the mrwunrfl path. Unfortunately, we will not have time for Bali this trip. Have a great time!!

mrwunrfl

The team from Sapporo, the Fighters, is sponsored by a company called Nippon Ham. The Fukuoka team, the Hawks, is sponsored by Daiei, so they have "FDH" on there caps for Fukuoka Daiei Hawks.

emd, you are going to be there during cherry blossom time, I think. Are you working that into your plan?

I spent 12 nights in 12 different beds/futons in Japan. The Conrad Bali is great. The bed is extremely comfortable, probably the most comfortable one for me ever. Not going anywhere today but the pool(s). Staying here three nights and it feels good to not be moving.

emd

Yes, cherry blossoms are in the plan, hoping that by going further south we will see them in late March. Also working on Sumo. But I think we will just be leaving as the Tokyo Internatl. Anime Festival starts, which saddens my son. Baseball and anime are biggies for him.
Enjoy the down time. It seems you earned it w/the marathon travel in Japan. Whew.
I wonder if the Ham Fighters have a mascot; it's a funny thought.

emd

BTW, news from home: The city here is pretty chaotic today due to the procession and viewing and upcoming funeral here. I'm going to walk down to Penn. Ave this evening from my downtown office to see the casket go by. I understand that former prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone will be here.

emd1

I meant Constitution Ave.