2015 Christmas Special: End-of-Year Christmas Winter Vacation to Japan in December 2015 ~ Section 3
Welcome to the third section of this year's Christmas special report detailing my end-of-year winter vacation to Japan in December 2015. There will be two main focus topics that will be covered in this third segment of the entire 2015 Christmas special report. They shall mainly be spending a westward day of sightseeing at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and dining in downtown Osaka in the Keihanshin metropolitan area located in western Japan, and the afternoon journey from the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand.
Part 1 ~ Spending A Westward Day Of Sightseeing And Dining In Osaka
In the wee hours of the next morning, which was Tuesday (8 December), I woke up early at around 4.30 a.m. after having a well-earned good night's rest. Since it was still too early to do anything, I did some personal online surfing on my laptop in the living room very quietly and headed downstairs to the hot spring bathroom for a nice, hot bath at five o' clock. Upon having a bath, I went back upstairs to the living room to change into my attire. Today, I was to be undertaking a westbound day trip to Osaka, according to my railway plans.
As for the in-bound early morning journey to Osaka, I would be scheduled to catch the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, which would be expected to leave Echigo-yuzawa Station at 7.08 a.m., and arrive at Tokyo Station at 8.40 a.m.. After arrival at Tokyo, I would have a relatively long layover of approximately 50 minutes before connecting to the Shinkansen NOZOMI Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, which would be scheduled to depart Tokyo Station at 9.53 a.m., and arrive at the Shin-osaka terminal station at 12.30 p.m..
I was lucky since I had managed to make my seat reservations a couple of days before the trip, and that I had also arranged for a cab to take me from the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa to Echigo-yuzawa Station the previous day. Soon enough, I had all my belongings ready in preparation for the long early morning trip to Osaka at 5.45 a.m., with every single portable electronic device ready too. My dad, who woke up at around six o' clock later, also offered to open and unlock the front entrance once he had seen me off.
Soon enough, my pre-arranged cab to Echigo-yuzawa Station ultimately arrived at the front entrance to the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa at 6.10 a.m.. With my dad seeing me off at the front entrance, the driver got out of the cab and offered to load my baggage into the cab boot, while I got in for the early morning trip to Echigo-yuzawa Station. Soon enough, in just few seconds, I finally departed the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa for a short early morning cab trip of just five minutes to Echigo-yuzawa Station.
My pre-arranged cab to Echigo-yuzawa Station waiting outside the front entrance to the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
Finally departing the area close to the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
Travelling past some lodges on route to Echigo-yuzawa Station at the crack of dawn
Finally arriving at the West Entrance to Echigo-yuzawa Station
After a short pre-dawn early morning cab trip of not more than five minutes from the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa, I finally arrived at the West Entrance to Echigo-yuzawa Station at 6.15 a.m.. Checking to see that I had left nothing behind in my seating area, I paid up my fare while the driver got out to help me unload my baggage from the cab boot. Thanking the cab driver for his services, I went into the station concourse and headed to the Shinkansen ticketing gates to show my Japan Rail Pass at the staffed Shinkansen ticketing gate.
I also went to check which platform the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo would depart from. According to the departure information screens, the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo would depart at 7.08 a.m. from Track No. 11. With that, I took the escalators up to Tracks No. 11 and 12 at 6.20 a.m., finding two coupled 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Sets No. P7 and P21, operating as the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, waiting on Track No. 11. Boarding was also to commence at 6.51 a.m., approximately 17 minutes before the scheduled departure timing.
TANIGAWA (たにがわ) is a major high-speed train service operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between Tokyo and Echigo-yuzawa via the Joetsu Shinkansen line in Japan. Stopping at every station en route, it is the slowest service on the Joetsu Shinkansen line, and provides high-speed commuter service between downtown Tokyo and Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture. A typical trip from Tokyo to Echigo-yuzawa takes 1 hour 28 minutes, with the service beginning and ending at the seasonal Gala-yuzawa Station during the winter seasons. The service is capable of reaching a maximum top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph). The service commenced operations on 1 October 1997, initially using 10-car 200 series sets at a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph), until they were retired from regular passenger service on 15 March 2013. E1 series sets were also used on certain services, which were classified as Max TANIGAWA services, until they were retired from revenue service on 28 September 2012. From 20 December 1997, E4 series sets were introduced on certain services as Max TANIGAWA services at a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph), with certain services using two sets being coupled together to form as 16 cars. From 26 January 2013, E2 series sets were introduced on these services at a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph), replacing the remaining 200 series sets used on regular services on the Joetsu Shinkansen line by 15 March 2013. Certain services also feature non-reserved seating, except Green Car (first class) seats, during the early morning and late night hours to cater to commuters residing in the areas between Tokyo and Niigata Prefectures. There are no extra charges required for the TANIGAWA service for tourists travelling with a Japan Rail Pass.
The main ticketing concourse at Echigo-yuzawa Station at the crack of dawn
The Shinkansen ticketing concourse at Echigo-yuzawa Station at the crack of dawn
The Shinkansen ticketing gates at Echigo-yuzawa Station at the crack of dawn
The Shinkansen concourse leading to the platforms at Echigo-yuzawa Station at the crack of dawn
The overall view of the Shinkansen platforms at Echigo-yuzawa Station at the crack of dawn
Tracks No. 11 and 12 serving the Joetsu Shinkansen trains bound for Niigata and Gala-yuzawa at Echigo-yuzawa Station at the crack of dawn
The 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
The 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Set No. P21, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
The two 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Sets No. P7 and P21, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, joined together on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
The LED destination panel of the 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
Getting ready to board the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
After spending almost half an hour of anticipated waiting on Tracks No. 11 and 12, the train doors of the two coupled 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Sets No. P7 and P21, operating as the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, were ultimately opened at 6.51 a.m.. Without wasting anymore time, I quickly boarded the train via Car No. 7, and headed into the Green Car (first class) located on the upper deck, before settling into my assigned Seat No. 25D for the short and quick early morning trip of 1 hour 32 minutes to the lively hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo.
The seat next to me, 25C, would remain empty for the entire early morning trip of 1 hour 32 minutes from Echigo-yuzawa to Tokyo. At exactly 7.08 a.m. sharp, all the train doors were closed, and the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 402 ultimately pulled out of Echigo-yuzawa Station for its early morning trip of 1 hour 32 minutes to the lively hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo. I was then on my way for a short and quick early morning trip of 1 hour 32 minutes to the lively hustle and bustle of the national capital city of Japan.
The
front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, during the boarding process on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
The rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, during the boarding process on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
A view of my seat, 27D, during the boarding process on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
The
overall view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, from my seat during the boarding process on Track No. 11 at Echigo-yuzawa Station
Awaiting departure from Echigo-yuzawa Station
E4系新幹線 P7編成 Maxたにがわ402号 東京行き 越後湯沢駅から上毛高原駅間
Making a brief stop at Jomo-kogen Station
Reading
through the most hilarious sentence in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets" via iBooks, where Harry's Uncle Vernon throws a temper tantrum
at the breakfast table after Harry tells Dudley to say 'please' to
obtain more bacon as a form of manners ー "WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU,"
thundered his uncle, spraying spit over the table, "ABOUT SAYING THE 'M'
WORD IN OUR HOUSE?!"
Bypassing an open farming field in the sparse, rural town of Higashiagatsuma
About to intersect with the Hokuriku Shinkansen tracks as the train gets nearer to Takasaki Station
Intersecting with the Hokuriku Shinkansen tracks near Takasaki Station
Making a brief stop at Kumagaya Station
Bypassing some housing apartments in the suburban city of Takasaki shortly after departing Takasaki Station
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Honjo as the train approaches Honjo-waseda Station
Making a brief stop at Honjo-waseda Station
A 12-car W7 Series Shinkansen Set No. W1, operating as the Shinkansen "KAGAYAKI" Superexpress No. 500 bound for Tokyo from Kanazawa, bypassing my train at Honjo-waseda Station
A view of my seat, 27D, between Honjo-waseda and Kumagaya Stations
The
front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4
Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA"
Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, between Honjo-waseda and Kumagaya Stations
The
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4
Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA"
Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, between Honjo-waseda and Kumagaya Stations
The
overall view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4
Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max
TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, from my seat between Honjo-waseda and Kumagaya Stations
Bypassing some housing areas by a warehouse in the suburban city of Kumagaya
Making a brief stop at Kumagaya Station
The
overall view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4
Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max
TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, from my seat between Kumagaya and Omiya Stations
A view of my seat, 27D, between Kumagaya and Omiya Stations
The
front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4
Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA"
Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, between Kumagaya and Omiya Stations
The
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 8-car E4
Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA"
Superexpress No. 402 bound for Tokyo, between Kumagaya and Omiya Stations
Bypassing some housing settlements by a large farming field in the suburban city of Okegawa
Bypassing some housing areas in downtown Kita-ku, Saitama, as the train gets nearer to the Tohoku Shinkansen intersection tracks
Intersecting with the Tohoku Shinkansen tracks near Omiya Station
Making a brief stop at Omiya Station
E4系新幹線 P7編成 Maxたにがわ402号 東京行き 大宮駅から上野駅間
Making a brief stop at Ueno Station
E4系新幹線 P7編成 Maxたにがわ402号 東京行き 上野駅から終点東京駅間
After a short and quick early morning trip of 1 hour 32 minutes from the popular winter ski resort town of Yuzawa, I finally arrived at the Tokyo terminal station at 8.40 a.m. on Track No. 23. Checking to see that I had left nothing behind, I alighted from the train and took the escalator to the Tohoku, Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen concourse before I headed to the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen interchange ticketing gates to show my one-week Green-type Japan Rail Pass at the staffed Shinkansen interchange ticketing gate.
Entering the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen concourse at 8.45 a.m., I headed to check which platform the Shinkansen NOZOMI Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka would be scheduled to depart from. According to the departure information screens, the Shinkansen NOZOMI Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka would depart at 9.53 a.m. from Track No. 15. Given that it was still early, I headed to the nearby station kiosk to purchase a grilled beef tongue meal box first before taking the escalators up to Tracks No. 14 and 15 to catch my train to Osaka, eventually reaching the platforms at 8.50 a.m..
NOZOMI (のぞみ) is the fastest high-speed train service operating on the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen lines in Japan. The service generally stops only at Shinagawa, Shin-yokohama, Nagoya and Kyoto Stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin-osaka, and at a few stretch stations on the Sanyo Shinkansen line between Shin-osaka and Hakata (Fukuoka). The service is capable of reaching a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), with the fastest services taking 2 hours 22 minutes between Tokyo and Shin-osaka, and 4 hours 47 minutes between Tokyo and Hakata (Fukuoka).
The service commenced passengers operations on 14 March 1992, using 300 series sets at a maximum top speed of 270 km/h (170 mph), until they were finally retired from passenger service by 16 March 2012. From 22 March 1997, 500 series sets were introduced on these services at a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), allowing the fastest trips from Shin-osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka) to take 2 hours 17 minutes, and 4 hours 49 minutes from Tokyo to Hakata (Fukuoka). However, between 2008 and 2010, these sets were downgraded to eight cars for Sanyo Shinkansen KODAMA services, and were retired from premium NOZOMI services on 28 February 2010.
From 13 March 1999, 700 series sets were introduced on these services at a top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph), replacing the earlier 300 series sets used on through services from Tokyo to Hakata (Fukuoka). From 1 July 2007, N700 series sets were introduced on these services at a maximum top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), like the 500 series sets, with all through regular NOZOMI services bound for Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata (Fukuoka) operated by N700 series sets from the start of the revised timetable on 13 March 2010.
From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, all regularly scheduled NOZOMI services, including operations truncated to the Tokaido Shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin-osaka, were operated by N700 series sets. All services operated by N700 series sets are entirely non-smoking, with smoking permitted in segregated smoking areas in Cars No. 3, 7, 10 and 15. The NOZOMI service is not valid for foreign tourists travelling with a Japan Rail Pass, and requires both the basic fare and Shinkansen express charge, along with the Green Car (first class) surcharge when using a Green Car (first class) seat.
The Tokaido Shinkansen (東海道新幹線) is a major Japanese high-speed Shinkansen rail line connecting the ultra-modern metropolitan cities of Tokyo and Osaka in Honshu, Japan. Operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central), it is the oldest Shinkansen line in Japan, and the most heavily-travelled high-speed railway line in the world, with some 5.3 billion passengers using on the line on a daily basis from 1964 to 2012. Passing through the sparsely-populated areas in Central Japan, the line has a maximum top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph).
The line was opened for service on 1 October 1964, in collaboration with the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, with the first generation trains running at speeds ranging between 210 km/h (130 mph) and 270 km/h (170 mph). From 1 October 2003, Shinagawa Station was added to the line to relieve overcrowding at the neighbouring Tokyo Station, boosting the number of daily NOZOMI services on the line. From the start of the revised timetable on 15 March 2008, Shinagawa and Shin-yokohama Stations became mandatory stopping points for all Tokaido Shinkansen services. The line celebrated its 50th anniversary on 1 October 2014, with its maximum top speed also raised from 270 km/h (170 mph) to 285 km/h (177 mph) from the start of the revised timeatble on 14 March 2015. As of 14 March 2015, th 16-car 700 series and N700 series sets operate on the various NOZOMI, HIKARI and KODAMA services at speeds ranging between 270 km/h (170 mph) to 285 km/h (177 mph) on the entire line. NOZOMI services are not viable for tourists travelling on the Tokaido Shinkansen line with a Japan Rail Pass.
Tracks No. 22 and 23 at Tokyo Station serving more Tohoku, Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen trains during the early morning rush hour
The logo of the 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Set No. P7, now operating as the Shinkansen "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 309 bound for Echigo-yuzawa, on Track No. 23 at Tokyo Station
The two 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Sets No. P7 and P21, now operating as the Shinkansen "Max TOKI" & "Max TANIGAWA" Superexpress No. 309 bound for Niigata and Echigo-yuzawa, joined together on Track No. 23 at Tokyo Station
An out-of-service 12-car W7 Series Shinkansen Set No. W1, which previously operated as the Shinkansen "KAGAYAKI" Superexpress No. 500 bound for Tokyo from Kanazawa, on Track No. 21 at the Tokyo terminal station
The Tohoku, Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen concourse of Tokyo Station during the early morning rush hour
The Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen concourse of Tokyo Station during the early morning rush hour
A kiosk selling boxed meals, snacks and beverages in the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen concourse at Tokyo Station during the early morning rush hour
Finally arriving at Tracks No. 14 and 15 at Tokyo Station
The logo of a 16-car JR Central N700A Series Shinkansen Set No. G15, operating as the Shinkansen "HIKARI" Superexpress No. 465 bound for Okayama, on Track No. 14 at Tokyo Station
The LED destination panel of the 16-car JR Central N700A Series Shinkansen Set No. G15, operating as the Shinkansen "HIKARI" Superexpress No. 465 bound for Okayama, on Track No. 14 at Tokyo Station
The logo of a 16-car JR West 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. B11, operating as the Shinkansen "KODAMA" Superexpress No. 641 bound for Shin-osaka, on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
The LED destination panel of the 16-car JR West 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. B11, operating as the Shinkansen "KODAMA" Superexpress No. 641 bound for Shin-osaka, on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
A 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C43, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 215 bound for Shin-osaka, on Track No. 16 at Tokyo Station
The logo of the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C43, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 215 bound for Shin-osaka, on Track No. 16 at Tokyo Station
The LED destination panel of the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C43, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 215 bound for Shin-osaka, on Track No. 16 at Tokyo Station
The train departure information board for Tokaido Shinkansen trains departing from Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station, indicating that the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka would be the second train to depart from Track No. 15
The LED destination panel of a 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C45, operating as the Shinkansen "KODAMA" Superexpress No. 708 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 14 at the Tokyo terminal station
The logo of the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C45, operating as the Shinkansen "KODAMA" Superexpress No. 708 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 14 at the Tokyo terminal station
The logo of a 16-car JR Central N700 Series Shinkansen Set No. Z33 (X33), operating as the Shinkansen "KODAMA" Superexpress No. 643 bound for Nagoya, on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station. I seem to remember riding on this particular train as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 60 bound for Tokyo from Shin-osaka in May & June 2010
The LED destination panel of the 16-car JR Central N700 Series Shinkansen Set No. Z33 (X33), operating as the Shinkansen "KODAMA" Superexpress No. 643 bound for Nagoya, on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station shortly before the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka arrived at the station
After spending approximately 40 minutes of anticipated waiting on both Tracks No. 14 and 15, a 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, which would soon operate as the Shinkansen NOZOMI Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, finally entered Tokyo Station at 9.30 a.m. on Track No. 15. Once the train doors were opened, I promptly boarded the train via Car No. 7 and went into Car No. 8, which was one of the Green Car (first class) coaches, before settling down into my assigned Seat No. 17D for the early afternoon trip of 2 hours 37 minutes to the lively hustle and bustle of downtown Osaka.
The seat adjacent to me, 17C, would remain vacant for the entire afternoon trip of 2 hours 37 minutes from Tokyo to Shin-osaka. Once the clock struck exactly 9.53 a.m. sharp, all the train doors were closed, and the Shinkansen NOZOMI Superexpress No. 317 finally pulled out of Tokyo Station for its early afternoon trip of 2 hours 37 minutes to the busy and lively hustle and bustle of downtown Osaka located in western Japan. I was then on my way for an early afternoon journey duration of 2 hours 37 minutes to the lively hustle and bustle of downtown Osaka located in the centre of the Keihanshin metropolitan area.
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ317号 新大阪行き 東京駅に入線シーン
The front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, during the boarding process on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
The rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, during the boarding process on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
The LED destination panel of the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
Getting ready to board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
The logo of the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, during the boarding process on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
Another front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, during the boarding process on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
Another rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, during the boarding process on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
A view of my seat, 17D, during the boarding process on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
The view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, from my seat during the boarding process on Track No. 15 at Tokyo Station
My Green Car (first class) Shinkansen ticket for the in-bound segment between Tokyo and Shin-osaka
Reading
through the most hilarious sentence in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets" via iBooks, where Harry's Uncle Vernon throws a temper tantrum
at the breakfast table after Harry tells Dudley to say 'please' to
obtain more bacon as a form of manners ー "WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU,"
thundered his uncle, spraying spit over the table, "ABOUT SAYING THE 'M'
WORD IN OUR HOUSE?!"
Awaiting departure from Tokyo Station
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ317号 新大阪行き 東京駅から新横浜駅間
Making a brief stop at Shin-yokohama Station
A grilled beef tongue bento meal box for myself
Bypassing some housing apartments in downtown Asahi-ku, Yokohama, shortly after departing Shin-yokohama Station
Bypassing a large rice paddy farming field in the suburban city of Isehara
Bypassing a large rice paddy farming field in the suburban town of Nakai
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban town of Oiso
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ317号 新大阪行き 小田原 (通過) ~ 三島 (通過)
Bypassing a forest and some small shrines in the suburban city of Mishima
A view of my seat, 17D, between Mishima and Shin-fuji Stations
The
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Mishima and Shin-fuji Stations
The front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Mishima and Shin-fuji Stations
The view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, from my seat between Mishima and Shin-fuji Stations
Bypassing a large rice paddy farming field in the suburban city of Fuji
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Fuji
Passing through Shin-fuji Station
Crossing the Fuji River on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
A beautiful view of Mount Fuji on a bright and clear winter's afternoon as the train crosses the Fuji River
A bottle of Coca-cola and a box of Jagariko (じゃがりこ) potato sticks, together with a bottle of mineral water, for myself
Bypassing some suburban housing areas in downtown Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ317号 新大阪行き 静岡 (通過) ~ 浜松 (通過)
Bypassing a green farming field near the suburban city of Hamamatsu
Crossing Lake Hamana between the border of Shizuoka and Aichi Prefectures
A view of my seat, 17D, between Hamamatsu and Toyohashi Stations
The
front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Hamamatsu and Toyohashi Stations
The
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Hamamatsu and Toyohashi Stations
Bypassing some suburban infrastructure in the suburban city of Kosai
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Toyohashi
Passing through Toyohashi Station
The
view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, from my seat between Toyohashi and Mikawa-anjo Stations
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Toyokawa
Bypassing a large farming field between the suburban cities of Okazaki and Anjo
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Anjo
Passing through Mikawa-anjo Station
Bypassing a large farming field in the suburban city of Anjo
A view of my seat, 17D, between Mikawa-anjo and Nagoya Stations
The
front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Mikawa-anjo and Nagoya Stations
The
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Mikawa-anjo and Nagoya Stations
The
view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, from my seat between Mikawa-anjo and Nagoya Stations
Bypassing several suburban infrastructure in the suburban city of Kariya
Several tall infrastructure located in downtown Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, as the train approaches Nagoya Station
Making a brief stop at Nagoya Station
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ317号 新大阪行き 名古屋 (発車) ~ 米原 (通過)
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Maibara
Bypassing a large farming field in the suburban city of Hikone
Bypassing a large farming field in the suburban city of Omihachiman
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Yasu
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Otsu
The
front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Maibara and Kyoto Stations
The
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, between Maibara and Kyoto Stations
A view of my seat, 17D, between Maibara and Kyoto Stations
The
view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka, from my seat between Maibara and Kyoto Stations
The view of the Kyoto Tower as the trains approaches Kyoto Station
The view of the Hotel Granvia Kyoto as the train approaches Kyoto Station
Making a brief stop at Kyoto Station
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ317号 新大阪行き 京都駅から終点新大阪駅間
After an early afternoon journey of 2 hours 37 minutes from the busy and lively hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo, I finally arrived at the Shin-osaka terminal station at 12.30 p.m. on Track No. 22. Checking to see that nothing had been left behind in the cabin, I quickly alighted from the train and took the escalators down to the Shinkansen concourse of the station before heading to the Shinkansen ticketing gates, reaching there by 12.35 p.m.. It was there that I showed my Japan Rail Pass at the staffed ticketing gate.
Exiting the Shinkansen ticketing concourse, I went to the cab stands situated on the other side of the station building, where I rolled up behind some other passengers to get a nearby cab, given that my very first destination in Osaka would be the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, having last visited the aquarium nine years ago. Once my turn to hail a cab came, I quickly told the driver to take me to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. With my baggage loaded into the cab boot, I finally departed at Shin-osaka Station at 12.40 p.m. for an afternoon trip of half an hour to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in downtown Minato-ku near Osaka Bay.
Shin-osaka Station (新大阪駅) is a major interchange railway terminal complex situated in downtown Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan. It serves one of the main railway terminals serving Osaka and the Keihanshin metropolitan area, making it one of the busiest railway stations in western Japan. The station serves as the western terminus for the Tokaido Shinkansen line, and the eastern terminus for the Sanyo Shinkansen line, with train services for the Kyushu Shinkansen also beginning and ending here in shorter 8-car formations.
The station was opened for passenger service on 1 October 1964, in collaboration with the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen line, due to construction issues for Shinkansen trains coming into the city centre. Other than serving the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen lines, the station also serves as an interchange station for the Tokaido Main Line (JR Kyoto Line) and the Osaka Municipal Subway Midosuji Line. Most Shinkansen trains from offer direct service to the Sanyo Shinkansen at Shin-osaka, also continuing as far as Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata (Fukuoka). An additional eastbound Shinkansen platform serving Tokaido Shinkansen trains for Tokyo, Track No. 27, was opened to ease overcrowding at the existing platforms from 16 March 2013. Other than serving the Shinkansen lines, most limited express trains bound for the Kii Peninsula and the San'in region also start and terminate here. The station also serves as a mandatory stop point for the Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka trains linking to Kansai International Airport. The station is expected to serve the Osaka Higashi Line from 2018.
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館) is a large public aquarium located near Osaka Bay in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, Japan. Located just adjacent to the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, it is one of the largest public aquariums in the world and is accessible via a short five-minute walk from Osakako Station on the Osaka Municipal Subway Chuo Line. Opened in 1990, its largest tank holds 5,400 cubic metres of water, also housing approximately 29,000 animals, notably with two whale sharks and several manta rays in its largest tank.
Tracks
No. 21 and 22 serving some of the Tokaido, Sanyo & Kyushu
Shinkansen trains bound for Okayama, Hiroshima, Hakata (Fukuoka) and
Kagoshima-chuo at Shin-osaka Station during the early afternoon rush hour
Looking back at the out-of-service 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, which previously operated as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka from Tokyo, on Track No. 22 at the Shin-osaka terminal station
The logo of the out-of-service 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, which previously operated as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 317 bound for Shin-osaka from Tokyo, on Track No. 22 at the Shin-osaka terminal station
The train departure information board for the westbound Shinkansen trains bound for Okayama, Hiroshima and Kyushu on Tracks No. 21 and 22 at Shin-osaka Station during the early afternoon rush hour
An out-of-service 16-car JR West 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. B1, which previously operated as a chartered school trip service, on Track No. 20 at the Shin-osaka terminal station
The logo of the out-of-service 16-car JR West 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. B1, which previously operated as a chartered school trip service, on Track No. 20 at the Shin-osaka terminal station
The Shinkansen concourse of Shin-osaka Station leading to the platforms during the early afternoon rush hour
The Shinkansen ticketing concourse at Shin-osaka Station during the early afternoon rush hour
The cab stands located outside the Shinkansen entrance to Shin-osaka Station during the early afternoon rush hour
The black cab that would soon take me to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan from Shin-osaka Station
Finally departing Shin-osaka Station
Travelling across the Hanshin Expressway near downtown Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, shortly after departing Shin-osaka Station
Crossing the Yodo River between downtown Yodogawa-ku and Kita-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
Travelling along the roads of downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, on a bright winter's afternoon
Travelling across a flyover to the Hanwa Expressway in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, while approaching a toll gate
Travelling past some downtown infrastructure in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, on the Hanshin Expressway on a clear and bright winter's afternoon
Travelling across the curved sections of the Hanwa Expressway near downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
Travelling across the diverging flyover from the Hanwa Expressway to downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
Travelling along the roads of downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, close to the direction leading to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Travelling along the roads of downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, with the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan coming into the background
Finally arriving at the massive steps leading to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
After a bright early afternoon cab ride of approximately 40 minutes from Shin-osaka Station in downtown Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, I finally arrived at the drop-off point near the big steps to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan at 1.10 p.m.. Paying my cab fare, I checked my seating area to see that nothing had been left behind while the cab driver helped to unload my baggage from the boot. Thanking the cab driver for her kind and warm services, I took the big steps up to the ticketing booth of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, arriving there by 1.15 p.m..
I then went to purchase a one-day adult ticket to visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan for the afternoon. Since I was excited for my visit to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan for the first time in nine years, I headed to the aquarium's front main entrance, where my one-day ticket was automatically scanned before I took the elevator up to the second floor to commence my aquarium tour at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. I then spent the rest of the entire afternoon at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, viewing various sea creatures on display in their various tanks.
In the main atrium of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan itself, there were various sea creatures and freshwater marine animals on display in their tanks, including Asian small-clawed otters and freshwater fish, with good views of Osaka Bay. The highlight of my aquarium day would then be the large fish tank holding 5,400 cubic metres of seawater, observing two very large whale sharks and the arctic North Pole section, as if I was like being in a kingdom under the sea. It was then that I suddenly realised that the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was better than the COEX Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea.
About to take the big steps up to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a clear and bright winter's morning
The exterior view of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a clear and bright winter's afternoon
The exterior view of the Tempozan Ferris Wheel in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a clear and bright winter's afternoon
My one-day adult ticket to visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The interior of the passageway leading to the upper aquarium tank levels on the second floor at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
A beautiful view of Osaka Bay facing the Port of Osaka from the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
The miniature of the miniature underwater tunnel displaying small reef sharks in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Two small nurse sharks swimming in the miniature underwater tunnel display in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Taking the long escalators up to the upper levels of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Overlooking Osaka Bay near the Port of Osaka as I make my way up to the upper levels of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Stopping at the Asian small-clawed otter enclosure in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The aquatic creature sign displaying information about the Asian small-clawed otters in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Three Asian small-clawed otters in their aquarium enclosure in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
An aquarium worker about to feed the Asian small-clawed otters in their aquarium closure with fish
Stopping at the sea lions and seals section of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Two furry seals resting in their enclosure in the sea lions and seals section of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Several penguins waddling about in their glass tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
A large aquarium tank housing some small fish in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Several varieties of fish swimming about in their aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
A large whale shark swimming below me in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The massive saltwater aquarium fish tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
A manta ray swimming beside me in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Another massive whale shark swimming gracefully beside me with its belly slightly upwards in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the massive whale sharks swimming beside me in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The two massive whale sharks swimming gracefully in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
A school of several small fish swimming close to the two massive whale sharks in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the massive whale sharks swimming gracefully on its own in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The massive saltwater aquarium fish tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan as I continue my tour across the aquarium to the lower levels
One of the massive whale sharks swimming gracefully with some smaller fishes in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The signboard by the massive saltwater aquarium tank indicating that this particular tank holds 5,400 tons of seawater in the Osak Aquarium Kaiyukan
One final view of the massive whale shark swimming gracefully in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The two manta rays swimming close to the whale shark in the massive saltwater aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The three Japanese spider crabs sitting about in their aquarium tank in the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Taking the escalator up to the Arctic Circle section of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The beautiful view of Osaka Bay from the Arctic Circle section of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a clear and bright winter's afternoon
Stopping at the Arctic Circle section of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan as my last aquarium stop for my day visit
After spending the afternoon of experiencing a wonderful and wanderous Kingdom Under the Sea at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, the clock was finally showing 2.20 p.m.. Taking the elevator back down to the first floor given that my entire aquarium tour for the day was already completed, I exited the aquarium through the main ticketing gates and went to the Tempozan Ferris Wheel before taking the escalators down to the cab stands located just adjacent to the Tempozan Harbor Village.
Hailing the nearest cab down, I immediately informed the driver, who could speak English, that my next intended destination was Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街) since I was to be getting a early Christmas present for my parents in celebration of the upcoming Christmas festive season. The driver then assisted me in loading my baggage into the boot of his cab while I got in for the trip to Hankyu San-Bangai in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, near Osaka Station. With everything loaded in, I finally departed the Tempozan Harbor Village at 2.35 p.m. for a mid-afternoon cab trip of 35 minutes to Hankyu San-Bangai in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, near Osaka Station.
The ticketing booths and entrance to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a clear and bright winter's afternoon shortly before I departed for Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街) in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka
The exterior view of the Tempozan Ferris Wheel in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a clear and bright winter's afternoon shortly before I departed for Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街) in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka
The exterior view of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a clear and bright winter's afternoon shortly before I departed for Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街) in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka
The black cab that would soon take me to Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街) in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, from the Tempozan Harbor Village in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka
Finally departing the Tempozan Harbor Village in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka
Travelling along the roads of downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
Bypassing some housing apartments in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
Bypassing some housing apartments in downtown Fukushima-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
Travelling along the roads of downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, on a bright and clear winter's afternoon
About to bypass underneath Osaka Station in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka
Bypassing some shopping malls and luxury hotels in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka, near Osaka Station
Finally arriving at Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街) in downtown Kita-ku, Osaka
After a short afternoon cab trip of 35 minutes from the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan located in downtown Minato-ku, Osaka, I finally arrived at the cab stands at Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街) at 3.10 p.m.. Paying my cab fare, the driver helped to unload my baggage from the cab boot, while I checked to see that I had not left anything behind on board. Thanking the driver for his kind and warm services, I looked through the various stores available carefully before selecting the store that would be the most suited for my Christmas shopping.
Soon enough, I managed to stumble upon a notable local Studio Ghibli merchandise store, known as Donguri Republic (どんぐり共和国). Entering the store itself, I looked across the various merchandise available before selecting the Christmas presents that would be the most suited for my parents' Christmas presents. At Donguri Republic itself, I purchased a few Studio Ghibli-themed jigsaw puzzles and Totoro purses. Upon purchasing my Christmas merchandise at Hankyu San-Bangai (阪急三番街), I was starting to become hungry for some early dinner.
With that moment, I walked across the busy pedestrian street of the Umeda business district and went into Osaka Grand Front before taking the elevator up to the overhead pedestrian bridge linking from Osaka Grand Front to Osaka Station City. Reaching Osaka Station City, I quickly took the nearest elevator up to the tenth floor, where much of the restaurants in the shopping mall were located, eventually arriving there by 4.35 p.m.. Once I was on the tenth floor, I browsed through the many restaurants available before selecting the one that would attract my tastes and preferences.
After spending approximately 1 hour 25 minutes of anticipated waiting on Tracks No. 23 and 24, a 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, which would soon operate as the Shinkansen NOZOMI Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, finally entered Shin-osaka Station at 6.50 p.m. on Track No. 24. Once the train doors were opened, I boarded the train via Car No. 8, which was one of the Green Car (first class) coaches, and settled down into my assigned Seat No. 1A for the early evening return trip of 2 hours 33 minutes back to the lively hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo.
The seat next to me, 1B, would remain vacant for the early evening return trip of 2 hours 33 minutes from Shin-osaka to Tokyo. Once the clock struck precisely 7.10 p.m. sharp, all the train doors were closed, and the Shinkansen NOZOMI Superexpress No. 408 finally pulled out of Shin-osaka Station for its early evening trip of 2 hours 33 minutes to the lively hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo in eastern Japan. I was then on my way for an early evening return trip of 2 hours 33 minutes back to the lively hustle and bustle of the national capital city of Japan.
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ408号 東京行き 新大阪駅に入線シーン
The front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, during the boarding process on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
The
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, during the boarding process on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
The logo of the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
The LED destination panel of the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
Getting
ready to board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48,
operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
Another
front view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, during the boarding process on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
Another
rear view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR
Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen
"NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, during the boarding process on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
A view of my seat, 1A, during the boarding process on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
The view of the Green Car (first class) cabin on board the 16-car JR Central 700 Series Shinkansen Set No. C48, operating as the Shinkansen "NOZOMI" Superexpress No. 408 bound for Tokyo, from my seat during the boarding process on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
Planning out the return trip on my blog on Track No. 24 at Shin-osaka Station
Reading
through the most hilarious sentence in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets" via iBooks, where Harry's Uncle Vernon throws a temper tantrum
at the breakfast table after Harry tells Dudley to say 'please' to
obtain more bacon as a form of manners ー "WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU,"
thundered his uncle, spraying spit over the table, "ABOUT SAYING THE 'M'
WORD IN OUR HOUSE?!"
Awaiting departure from Shin-osaka Station
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ408号 東京行き 新大阪駅から京都駅間
Making a brief stop at Kyoto Station
My Green Car (first class) Shinkansen ticket for the in-bound segment between Shin-osaka and Tokyo
Bypassing some housing areas in Yamashina-ku, Kyoto, late at night
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Otsu late at night
Bypassing some housing areas and suburban infrastructure in the suburban city of Kusatsu
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Omihachiman
Bypassing some housing areas and suburban infrastructure in the suburban city of Hikone
Passing through Maibara Station
Bypassing some housing areas in the suburban city of Maibara at night
Bypassing a rural farming area near the suburban city of Ogaki at night
Bypassing some suburban infrastructure in the suburban city of Hashima late at night near Gifu-hashima Station
Passing through Gifu-hashima Station
Bypassing some suburban infrastructure in the suburban city of Hashima late at night shortly after passing through Gifu-hashima Station
Bypassing some housing apartments in downtown Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, as the train approaches Nagoya Station at night
Making a brief stop at Nagoya Station
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ408号 東京行き 名古屋 (発車) ~ 豊橋 (通過)
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ408号 東京行き 浜松 (通過) ~ 静岡 (通過)
700系新幹線 C48編成 のぞみ408号 東京行き 新横浜駅から終点東京駅間
After an early evening return trip of 2 hours 33 minutes from the lively hustle and bustle of downtown Osaka, I finally arrived back at the Tokyo terminal station at 9.43 p.m. on Track No. 16. Checking that I had not left anything behind on board, I promptly alighted from the train and took the escalators back down to the Tokaido & Sanyo Shinkansen concourse before heading to the Tohoku, Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen interchange ticket gates. At the Shinkansen interchange ticketing gates, I showed my Japan Rail Pass at the staffed interchange ticketing gate.
Upon entering the Tohoku, Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen concourse at 9.50 p.m., I went to see which platform number the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 417 bound for Echigo-yuzawa would depart from. According to the departure information screens in the Tohoku, Joetsu & Hokuriku Shinkansen concourse itself, the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 417 bound for Echigo-yuzawa would depart at 10.24 p.m. from Track No. 20. Without wasting anymore time, I quickly took the escalators up to Tracks No. 20 and 21 to catch the last train to Echigo-yuzawa, eventually reaching there by 9.55 p.m..
After spending approximately 20 minutes of anticipated waiting on Tracks No. 20 and 21, two 8-car E4 Series Shinkansen Sets No. P5 and P15, which would soon operate as the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 417 bound for Echigo-yuzawa, ultimately entered Tokyo Station at 10.16 p.m. on Track No. 20. Once the train doors were opened, I boarded the last train to Echigo-yuzawa via Car No. 7, and went up to the Green Car (first class) cabin, before settling down in my assigned Seat No. 25A for the late evening return trip of 1 hour 28 minutes back to the popular winter ski resort town of Yuzawa.
The seat next to me, 25B, would remain vacant for the entire evening return trip of 1 hour 28 minutes from Tokyo to Echigo-yuzawa. At exactly 10.24 p.m. sharp, all the train doors were closed, and the Shinkansen Max TANIGAWA Superexpress No. 417 ultimately pulled out of Tokyo Station for its short late evening trip of just 1 hour 28 minutes to the sparse, rural and popular winter ski resort town of Yuzawa. I was then on my way for a short, quick evening return trip of 1 hour 28 minutes to the sparse, rural and popular winter skiing resort town of Yuzawa.
Part 2 ~ The Journey To The InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
After
spending three days of trains and relaxations in the popular skiing
winter resort town of Yuzawa, it was finally time to head to Yokohama to
spend the remainder of the holiday. On the early morning of Wednesday
(9 December), I woke up at around 8.30 a.m. after having a well-earned
good night's rest. Packing up the remainder of my belongings, I went to
have a nice, hot shower and changed into my attire for the day. Noticing
that I was still tired from my railway trips for the past three days, including the previous day,
my parents decided that I should follow them in the car to Yokohama.
This
was to give me a break from my railway schedule and to help me get some
rest before my luxurious northbound journey to Aomori the next day. I
was lucky since I had not made any reservations for the journey to
Yokohama. Packing the remainder of our baggage, we checked the entire
second floor area to see that nothing had been left unpacked area before
laying our baggage out in the first floor near the front entrance to
the lodge. We then had some light beverages near the kitchen area so
that we would be more hydrated for the long road drive to Yokohama.
The
view of the ski elevator leading to the ski mountain peak from the
second floor living room in the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
The view of the open skiing hill at the ski mountain base from the second floor living room in the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
After
spending the rest of the entire early morning packing up our baggage
for the road trip to Yokohama, we were ready to depart the Onsen Ryokan
Koizumiya Yuzawa at 9.30 a.m.. My dad then went to get our rented car to
the front main entrance of the lodge with our car, while we all brought
our baggage out to the front door to have them loaded in for the trip
to Yokohama. Once my dad had arrived at the front entrance to the Onsen
Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa, we helped to load our baggage into the car boot
before boarding for the trip to the ultra-modern satellite port city of
Yokohama.
Once
everything had been loaded into the car boot of our rented silver
Europcar, we finally left the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa at 9.55 a.m.
for a bright and long early afternoon road trip of 3 hours 40 minutes
to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand, stopping at some rest
stations for lunch on route. In conclusion, the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya
Yuzawa was decent on the first two levels, though the last two levels of
the lodge were quite filthy and musty. Though it was alright, I think
we came too early since there was no snow upon our arrival.
Our rented silver Europcar car waiting outside the front entrance to the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
Overlooking the Joetsu Shinkansen viaduct just before we departed the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
Finally departing the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
Bypassing the Yuzawa Grand Hotel shortly after departing the Onsen Ryokan Koizumiya Yuzawa
About to cross underneath the Joetsu Shinkansen viaduct near Echigo-yuzawa Station
Intersecting with the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway shortly after departing Yuzawa
Bypassing a mountain forest in the popular winter ski resort town of Yuzawa on the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
Travelling between the mountains in the popular winter ski town of Yuzawa on a bright winter's day
Travelling across the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway on route between Yuzawa and Nakanojo
Stopping at a rest station near the sparse, rural town of Nakanojo along the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
The exterior view of the rest station in the sparse, rural town of Nakanojo near the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
The main entrance to the rest station in the sparse, rural town of Nakanojo near the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
Bypassing some sparse housing areas in the suburban town of Higashiagatsuma
Travelling along the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway near the suburban city of Honjo
Stopping at a rest station in the suburban city of Honjo by the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
The main entrance to the rest station in the suburban city of Honjo near the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
The interior of the rest station in the suburban city of Honjo near the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
A bowl of char siew ramen noodles in the rest station near the suburban city of Honjo near the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
A
cup of Starbucks Coffee hot cocoa for myself outside the rest station
near the suburban city of Honjo near the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
The car parking area located outside the rest station in the suburban city of Honjo near the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
Travelling along the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway again shortly after departing the rest station in the suburban city of Honjo
Overlooking the Joetsu Shinkansen viaduct close to the suburban city of Honjo
Bypassing a mountainous forest in the suburban city of Okegawa on the Niigata-Tokyo Expressway
Bypassing a neighbourhood in downtown Nerima-ku, Tokyo, on the way to the Tomei Expressway to Yokohama
Bypassing a small neighbourhood in downtown Suginami-ku, Tokyo, on the way to the Tomei Expressway on route to Yokohama
Bypassing some suburban housing areas in downtown Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, on the way to the Tomei Expressway to Yokohama
Travelling across the Tama River between downtown Tokyo and Kawasaki
Travelling along the Tomei Expressway close to downtown Yokohama
Bypassing Yokohama Station across the expressway flyover as we enter Yokohama
About to turn to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand past the Yokohama Landmark Tower
The InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand coming into view on a clear winter's afternoon
Finally arriving at the front main entrance to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
After
a long bright early afternoon road trip of 3 hours 40 minutes from the
popular winter resort town of Yuzawa, we finally arrived at the front
main entrance to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand at 1.35 p.m..
The hotel butler offered to open our car doors to help us get down
while two baggage porters arrived with a baggage trolley to assist us
with our baggage. While my dad arranged for the hotel to park our rented
car, I followed my mum and younger brother up to the check-in reception
counter on the second floor.
At
the main hotel reception check-in counter itself, we checked in for the
remainder of our vacation in Japan. Upon completing the entire check-in
process, the check-in reception lady informed us that we were to be
allocated to Rooms No. 2501 and 2502 located on the 25th floor
respectively, with Room No. 2501 still undergoing cleaning. With that,
we took the the elevator up to Room No. 2502 on the 25th floor,
eventually arriving there by 1.55 p.m.. The room had a king-sized bed
with a beautiful view of Tokyo Bay.
Once
the adjacent Room No. 2501 was ready for our use, we opened the
connecting door, only to sense a foul smell of smoke, which my parents
detested as we were vulnerable to having asthma attacks. My dad then
called the hotel reception lady to complain about the problem, and she
came up within just a few minutes. Noticing that Room No. 2501 was a
smoking room, the hotel reception lady apologised to us and offered to
re-locate us to the 26th floor, where non-smoking rooms were available.
She
also informed us that the baggage porters had been notified about the
issue and our baggage would be re-delivered to us once we had settled
into our new rooms on the 26th floor. With that, we thanked the hotel
receptionist for her services, and she escorted us to the 26th floor,
where we were re-assigned to Rooms No. 2601 and 2603. As we could not
smell anymore smoke, we settled comfortably into our assigned Rooms for a
well-earned rest for the entire afternoon, with our baggage being
brought up to us soon enough, so we could sort our attire for the coming
days in Yokohama.
For
my Room No. 2603, there were two twin individual beds with a bathroom,
while for my parents' Room No. 2601, there was a master bedroom with two
toilets, a living room and a large marble bathroom. Both our rooms also
offered scenic and beautiful views of Tokyo Bay. Since we were hungry
for a quality tempura dinner later that evening, I was lucky as I had
arranged with the hotel to reserve a dinner table for us at 8.30 p.m. at
Ten'ichi (天一) restaurant at the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
while checking in.
The grand entrance hall in the first floor at the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand during lunchtime hours
The
main hotel check-in reception counter on the second floor at the
InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand during lunchtime hours
A view of Tokyo Bay from the hotel check-in reception counter in the second level of the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
A
view of our initial room, Room No. 2502, on a bright winter's
afternoon, though we changed to the 26th floor due to the smell of smoke
from the adjacent Room No. 2501 next door
The view of my current room, Room No. 2603, where my younger brother and I would sleep in the afternoon
The overall beautiful view of Tokyo Bay from my Room No. 2603 on a bright winter's afternoon
A beautiful view of Tokyo Bay from my Room No. 2603 as dusk begins to fall across Yokohama
A view of the master bedroom in my parents' Room No. 2603 at dusk
Overlooking downtown Yokohama from my parents' Room No. 2603 at dusk
The marble bathroom in my parents' Room No. 2603 at dusk
The living room in my parents' Room No. 2603 at dusk
A beautiful view of Tokyo Bay from my Room No. 2603 as night begins to fall over Yokohama
After
spending the rest of the entire afternoon having a well-earned rest
from our long road trip from Yuzawa, the clock was finally showing 6.15
p.m.. Since we were desiring to look around downtown Yokohama, we took
the elevator down to the main entrance hall, where my dad went to the
concierge for the butler to retrieve our rented Europcar for us. Our
first destination in Yokohama for that evening was to do some shopping
around the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store first before heading to
Ten'ichi for dinner.
Soon
enough, one of the hotel butlers finally showed up with our rented
Europcar at 6.35 p.m.. Thanking the hotel butler for taking care of our
car, we promptly boarded the car for the short road trip to the Yokohama
Takashimaya Department Store located in downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama.
Once we were all on board, we finally departed the InterContinental
Hotel Yokohama Grand at 6.40 p.m. for a short early evening road drive
of just 20 minutes to the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store in
downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama.
The large Christmas tree in the grand entrance hall at the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand at night
The grand entrance hall in the first floor at the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand at night
Our rented silver Europcar car waiting outside the front entrance to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
Finally departing the compound near the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
Travelling
along the roads near the Minato Mirai 21 district in downtown Nishi-ku,
Yokohama, on the way to the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
Finally
arriving at the car parking lot close to an alley of shops and
restaurants near the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
After
a short early evening road trip of 20 minutes from the InterContinental
Hotel, we finally arrived at a car parking area by a shop and
restaurant alley located close to the Yokohama Takashimaya Department
Store at seven o' clock. Parking our car, my dad went to pay the fare
for parking in, while we got our belongings before alighting the car.
Locking our car, we walked across the alleys past some restaurants and
shops before eventually reaching the Yokohama Takashimaya Department
Store at 7.05 p.m.. Entering the main
department store itself, we spent the first hour shopping on the various
levels, where my mum looked through some fragrant perfumes, whereas I
followed my dad and younger brother up the escalators to the sixth
floor, where the baggage and backpack section was located. There, my dad
bought himself a new backpack since he gave me his older red one for my
own use. Meeting with my mum on the first floor at eight o' clock, we
took the elevator all the way up to the eighth floor, where the
restaurants were located, and walked across to find Ten'ichi (天一).
Walking across the alley by some restaurants and gaming arcades on route to the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
About to cross a narrow road to the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
A lineup of restaurants and cafeterias in the eighth floor at the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
Walking across the eighth floor of the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store on the way to Ten'ichi (天一) tempura restaurant
After
walking across the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store to the eighth
level for approximately 10 minutes, we finally arrived at the entrance
to Ten'ichi tempura restaurant at 8.10 p.m.. A waitress then came to
check our reservation for 8.10 p.m., and upon being positively
identified, we were directed to our reserved table near the cooker
counter. With our belongings safely stowed, we were left with the menus
to make our reviews before we placed our main meal orders for the
upcoming deep-fried tempura dinner later on.
Soon
enough, one of the waitresses came by to take down our main meal orders
for dinner. We ordered an assorted tempura set fresh from the counter,
together with some glasses of drinks, such as white wine and red wine.
That evening, we had a wonderful and sumptuous family dinner of high-end
deep-fried tempura, and we were unable to resist ordering more seconds
fresh from the counter, with my most favourite part of the meal being
the Japanese whiting fish (kisu; キス). This would be one of the best
Japanese tempura dinners I would never forget.
The interior view of Ten'ichi (天一) tempura restaurant in the eighth floor of the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
A piece of deep-fried prawn (ebi; 海老) tempura on my tempura plate
A glass of white wine to accompany my tempura dinner
A piece of Japanese whiting fish (kisu; キス) tempura on my tempura plate
A piece of deep-fried asparagus tempura on my tempura plate
A piece of deep-fried mushroom tempura on my tempura plate
Another piece of deep-fried Japanese whiting fish (kisu; キス) tempura on my tempura plate
The
open counter deep fryer galley in Ten'ichi (天一) tempura restaurant on
the eighth floor at the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
A piece of deep-fried scallop tempura on my tempura plate
A piece of deep-fried shishamo tempura on my tempura plate
My third piece of deep-fried Japanese whiting fish (kisu; キス) tempura on my tempura plate
Another piece of deep-fried scallop tempura on my tempura plate
A piece of deep-fried conger eel (anago; 穴子) tempura on my tempura plate
The
open counter deep fryer galley in Ten'ichi (天一) tempura restaurant on
the eighth floor at the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store shortly
after we had finished our dinner
After
having a sumptuous high-end deep-fried tempura family dinner at the
Ten'ichi tempura restaurant at the Yokohama Takashimaya Department
Store, the clock was finally showing 9.15 p.m.. Since we were feeling
stuffed to the brim, we paid our dinner bill and proceeded to the
elevator lobby near the eighth floor restaurant level. Taking the
nearest elevator back down to the first floor, we went outdoors near
Yokohama Station to access the car parking area located behind the
Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store as the store's business hours were
already finished for the night.
Upon
reaching the car parking area behind the Yokohama Takashimaya
Department Store by 9.35 p.m., my dad paid the parking fare, while we
boarded our rented silver Europcar for the late evening road trip back
to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand just near the Minato Mirai
21 district of downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama. Once we were on board the
car, we departed the car parking area behind the Yokohama Takashimaya
Department Store at 9.40 p.m. for a short late night road drive of 15
minutes back to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand near the
Minato Mirai 21 district of downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama.
The view of downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama, near the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store and Yokohama Station at night
The exterior view of the Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers in downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama, at night
Walking across the narrow alley to the car parking area located behind the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
The car parking area located behind the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store at night
Finally departing the car parking area located behind the Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
Travelling along the roads of downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama, at night on the way back to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
Travelling
along the roads near the Minato Mirai 21 district in downtown Nishi-ku,
Yokohama, on the way back to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
Finally arriving back at the front main entrance to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
The grand entrance hall in the first floor at the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand late at night
After
a late night road trip of 15 minutes from the Yokohama Takashimaya
Department Store in downtown Nishi-ku, Yokohama, we finally arrived back
at the front main entrance to the InterContinental Hotel Yokohama Grand
at 9.55 p.m.. Taking all our belongings from the car, my dad went to
arrange for the butler to park our car at the hotel's car parking
basement while we headed to the grand entrance hall before heading to
the elevator lobby. Taking the elevator back up to the 26th floor, we
were finally back in our Rooms No. 2601 and 2603 at 10.05 p.m..
Since
I was to be undertaking a luxurious northbound Shinkansen trip to
Aomori the next morning, I went to have a bath, and changed into my
pyjamas before preparing whatever necessary belongings required and
setting up all my electronics to be charged overnight. I then arranged
with the hotel reception to give me a wake-up call at 5.30 a.m., and
arrange for a cab to take me to Yokohama Station at 6.30 a.m. the next
morning, also setting up my mobile phone alarm to 5.30 a.m. Once
everything was done, I finally turned in at 11.15 p.m. for a well-earneg
good night's sleep.
This officially brings the third segment of my 2015 Christmas special vacation report about my end-of-year winter vacation to Japan in December 2015 to a formal conclusion. All the remaining two sections of the trip report will be posted up once I have selected the highest quality photographs and videos for them. Please do be patient as these require some time and effort in gradual stages on my part to ensure that these remaining two sections sound interesting to the entire Blogger community.
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