Back to Tokyo

September 6, 2023, from the Itinerary: Today, you will go back to Tokyo and relax a little bit. Maybe explore the area around the Imperial palace if you like.

My hotel for the night was the 5 star Hoshinoya Tokyo which is one of several of the Hoshinoya properties and I'd like to try more of them. This was heaven after many nights of sleeping on the floor:)

I slept pretty well, but the sake probably helped. Breakfast was good and the rain started coming down.

Thankfully it stopped before I had to leave. I walked over to the train station, trying not to sweat, and was only partially successful.

There were 3 trains today - 2 local and 1 bullet train.

Unfortunately, both local trains were delayed and I almost missed the fast train to Tokyo. The automated trains have a real driver who is required to go through a process where he checks his screen, looks out of the window, salutes the track, and only then starts the train. I haven't been able to get a real video of it, but I tried.

Between stations I was able to stop at a store and get some shortbread cookies in the shape of a cat which were delicious - too bad I couldn't find more:)

I had 2 hours on the bullet train which flew by.

And another view of Mt. Fuji (still not visible)

Looking at the weather, there's another typhoon on the way and this one looks like it's coming right for Tokyo this time. Fortunately, I will be gone by the time it hits land.

I ended up walking from the station to the hotel - trying not to sweat and not too successful. I arrived at this wonderful hotel hot and sweaty. Had to take off my big dirty wet boots and gave them my dirty bag and sweaty pack and got ready to be civilized for my last night in Japan. Perhaps it was even more wonderful because I was in 2 star accommodation for a week before. It will be difficult to go home. I was welcomed with tea and a sweet.

They showed me to my room and the hotel floor has a semi-private lounge with drinks, coffee, etc. The room key was a wooden rectangle, never had one like this before.

I relaxed and didn't do anything until dinner - I've seen the Emperor's Palace several times and was exhausted.

Just before dinner I went down to the sake tasting and there was a wonderful Mochi with it. So wonderful, I was offered another round that was brought to my room later in the evening!

Dinner was a fusion sort of thing - the chef was from outside of Tokyo and did a sort of fusion between modern and ancient Edo recipes. Quite unique.

After dinner I was invited to an udon tasting, so had to do that. You had to get a gold token to take over to the venue:)

Finally, I went up to try the "public" onsen. It was very dark and almost a sensory deprivation tank.