Irreverently irrelevant.
Sysadmin, developer, web dude in a science research organisation. WordPress, Japan, planes, trains, Arduino, Raspberry Pi/Pico, puns, dad jokes, etc
- Blog
- Profile
- Homepage
-
Heading southwest on the Tokaido Shinkansen
After a few days pause the compass journey has restarted. B and Alex are in Tokyo and will meet me in Osaka tomorrow. In the meantime I’m heading south to Kyushu for the final two points of the Japanese railway system compass: West and South. It will be a massive two days. I caught the…
-
The Prince of Shinjuku
I wasn’t planning on spending more than an hour in Tokyo on this trip, yet here we are again. At our favourite hotel in our favourite area, Shinjuku. The other two are spending an extra day here while I do some extreme training to achieve my goal of the final two compass points of the…
-
From slow to Super Express
This morning at the hotel breakfast the background music changed to the closing credits from Spirited Away. It was quite appropriate: The soundtrack had been running through my head during our stay there. This was, after all, a bath house as well as a hotel. Unazuki Onsen has a number of large hotels offering onsen…
-
Kurobe Gorge Railway
There’s a great story to be told about the construction of the Kurobe dam and the railway that served its construction and operation to this day. From freezing winters to tunnelling through 160 degree Celsius rock. Fortunately, the first part has been opened up for tourists. Unfortunately for us recent heavy rains have shut the…
-
Kurobe Gorge Railway
There’s a great story to be told about the construction of the Kurobe dam and the railway that served its construction and operation to this day. Fortunately, the first part has been opened up for tourists. Unfortunately for us recent heavy rains have shut the line beyond Sasadaira. Still, after coming all this way we…
-
Disappointment and delight at Unazuki Onsen
The rattling Chiho train eventually arrived at the Unazuki Onsen terminus. We were greeted by the hotel shuttle bus driver bearing bad news. The reason for us coming here, the Kurobe Gorge railway, was closed and would only be running to Sasadaira tomorrow. Bummer. But what could we do but make the most of our…
-
Aboard the Chiho Railway Express
Heading to Unazuki Onsen aboard the very shaky Chiho Railway from Toyama to Unazuki Onsen. I love this kind of private railway with old fashioned cars running straight through local areas.
-
The scenic Takayama Line part two
The scenery continues to be spectacular from Takayama to Toyama.
-
A KiHa 120 at Inotani
Fortunately not everything has been upgraded on this route. Waiting for me at Inotani was a good old Takayama Line KiHa 120 railmotor. My favourite and first Japanese model railway car. Now I get to stand at the front or back and watch the scenery pass by.
-
Local to Inotani
Takayama Station has undergone a wholesale change since our last visit to this city. In many ways it is surprising that they kept the old one for so long considering the tourist traffic here. Today we are off to Unazuki Onsen, continuing our diversion off the NEWS route. We start with the local train to…