Nikko to Hakodate

Today we would take trains to Hokkaido which is the large island at the north of Japan.

Nikko has a lovely station. When our train arrived, it was loaded with tourists who had come to visit the temples.

We changed trains at Utsunomiya. Here is a Shinkansen train on another platform.

Note the small windows.

The duck snout is designed to reduce pressure when passing through tunnels.

We came north on this more modern Shinkansen to Sendai where we changed trains to an older Shinkansen. I found the newer version more comfortable and it has bigger windows.

The red indicates where you line up to get on your carriage.

The line north.

To be honest, I don't like riding these trains all that much. There is a wall beside the track that chops out much of the view.

Yes, the speed is impressive but that is about it.

I had hoped to see some Autumn leaves but it was still too early.

We passed through the 53 km tunnel to the island.

The mountain to the right is next to our destination, Hakodate.

Our hotel is quite a change from the inn and is located above the station. A market sets up here every morning.

Lovely cloud.

The mountain.

We finally got around to eating some ramen and we went to this traditional ramen joint across the square.

My spicy version.

Robin's salt version. Mine was excellent with outstanding noodles. Robin enjoyed her dish. We both finished our bowls.

These people were waiting to get in. The cost was about $A 10 or $US 6 per bowl.