I experienced my first real earthquake in Japan last night. I mean, I’ve probably experienced plenty of them but trains are so bumpy that who’d know? And then there was that simulated earthquake in the learning centre, but this was definitely the real thing, a 5.3 magnitude of intensity 3.
I was lying in bed and noticed that the room felt like it was swaying a bit. Then it was over. I heard the buzz of the NERV app notifying me and I knew it wasn’t just a couple getting too vigorous in the room next door.
After watching a bit of classic Doctor Who on the television, thanks to Chromecast, I then enjoyed a sleep where there was no need to wake up early.
Another viking breakfast, this time with a different selection, back for some more relaxation, then a walk to the station to collect my ticket to Tokyo.
Though my ticket said Hayabusa, I am actually on the attached Komachi service from Akita. These “Mini Shinkansen” services to Akita and Shinjo don’t go as fast or have the same clearances as regular Shinkansen lines. So the cabins are narrower, 2 by 2, with steps at each door to make up for the extra space to the platform.
The landscape changes from snow to clear to snow and back again. Near Koriyama I notice how low the clouds seem every time I pass through here. It’s almost as if we are flying through them.
I think I’m coming down with something. I don’t feel well. Fortunately, today is a bit less demanding than some. I finish the classic Doctor Who episode (Survival), listen to music and snooze a bit on the Shinkansen.
After arrival at Tokyo Station I have to find the Sobu Line Rapid. Google says platform 3, but there are two of them. This is the underground one, down where you catch the Narita Express.
There’s a Train Art shop at the top of those escalators, just saying.
I’m catching a commuter express towards Kimitsu. I have my backpack and it’s quite busy. I don’t get a seat until after Chiba. It’s a brilliantly clear day above Tokyo, perfect weather for the Tokyo Skytree, which I can see. I’ve never been up it.
It’s an industrial and farming area with a refinery on one side and dry brown rice paddies on the other. Not pretty country by any means.
Kisarazu, my stop, is a somewhat run down and not particularly attractive city from what I can see around the station. I don’t really care, I kind of like these types of places. I’m just glad it has a decent hotel near the station, although Washington isn’t my favourite chain.
It’s past 2 PM and food options are seemingly limited. But then I see a bakery beneath the hotel which claims to have award winning curry buns. I buy a bun and a couple of rolls to eat in my room.
The curry bun is really good! The other rolls are nice as well!
A brief rest and I have to return to the station to catch the train that is the reason for my visit.
Due to low patronage, JR East wants to close the section of the Kururi Line between Kururi and Kazusa-Kameyama.
I want to catch it before they do.
A two car E130 waits at the platform. I take a seat on the right in the front car. Many school students, mainly girls, join the train.
Most of them get off on the way to Kururi. The countryside along this stretch is mainly flat, with pale dry farmland on one side, nondescript houses, factories and warehouses on the other.
The sun is close to setting behind distant mountains, a few puffy clouds behind. Some of the little stations are interesting and there is the occasional patch of remnant snow in the shade.
There are only a couple of passing loops on the Kururi Line and there aren’t many services the full way to K-K.
The countryside gets more interesting after Kururi, finally becoming scenic as we pass through high reeds and across the winding river lined with bamboo. The fewer the people, the better the scenery unfortunately.
It’s becoming dark when we arrive at the terminus of Kazusa-Kameyama. Obviously this area has seen better days. The only shop open near the station is a tiny liquor store. Another house has flower wreaths across it. I wonder if someone passed.
I know there’s a lake and a hot spring resort nearby, but I haven’t time to explore. Though there are some genuine passengers for K-K, most are like me and just want to snap photos of the train and the station before catching it back.
This train returns in the darkness as far as Kururi. There is a brief wait until another service, this one three cars, arrives on the opposite track. We cross the tracks and climb on board for our return ride to Kisarazu.
There are some genuine commuters as well. Some young Indonesian ladies drag a big bag of what look like duty-free items, get out at the following station.
The ride back is mainly in darkness, with few places open until the outskirts of Kisarazu.
I have a little wander after arriving back. A too-crispy apple crepe from a tiny Marion’s Crepes shop. Lots of ground floor izakaya with big lanterns outside, looking inviting in the night, but smokey and boozy inside.
I don’t feel like that. After a late lunch, I just want to have an early night and eat that small cup of Nissin noodles and some of the snacks which have been overloading my bag.
Tomorrow I’ll explore some more of the Boso Peninsula and ride my first Japanese sleeper train.