Day 3 - Monday 30 March - Tokyo to Fukuoka

Had a very solid six hours sleep last night, but still woke up at 6am not able to get back to sleep :/

After downloading all my photos, went across the road to find something to eat.

A bit after nine we headed to the station and jumped on a train to Tokyo main station.  There we activated our JR passes for the rest of the trip and organised the trip to Hakata (Fukuota).  We weren't able to get reserved seats on a non-smoking car of the Tokyo to Shin-Osaka trip but did for Shin-Osaka to Hakata.  Then popped into Starbucks for a coffee/snack.

Stu on the train between Akihabara and Tokyo stations 

Went then to catch our train.  The unreserved cars were up the front of the train, which meant a very long hike up the platform trying to get past all the people that were lined up in front of the train.  Got in a queue for the second car.  We tried to get two pairs of seats on the right side of the train, but failed.  At least we got one. 

So the train ride was pretty cool.  Very fast and smooth.  The scenery just *whizzed* by!  Even got a decent view of Mt Fuji, although cloud was obscuring its middle.

Mt Fuji from the train 

Bento box we got on the train between Tokyo and Osaka 

At Shin-Osaka we changed trains and then sat somewhat bored for another few hours.  We had a 'silent' car, which meant we couldn't really talk or play cards :(   The link to Kyushu goes under the sea, so that was a little boring.  In fact the second half of the trip was largely in tunnels - boring! heh

Our second Shinkansen (of many) 

The trains look a lot like aircraft on the inside! 

This is a Silence Car! No talking! 

Got to our hotel in Hakata no problems - it's right opposite the station - score!  Somewhat bigger than the last hotel too, and it has internet!!!! hurrah!! ;)

Were just about to down to Canal City for dinner when Natty and Sandra turned up - we ran into them at reception.  So then we stood around for like 3/4 hour trying to decide what to do.  In the end went to Natty's sister's current home town of Kashii for dinner and to see her flat.  Was pretty cool, and Rosie is lovely.  

Natty and Rosie 

Mobile phone recharging stations in Kashii mall 

So then rushed back to Hakata to try and see the fountains before they stopped for the night.  Came in just as the 9:30 show was finishing.  We thought that was it, so wandered around the shopping centre looking at the arcade type stuff.  At 10pm there were more fountaining, but missed those.  

Canal City 

Fountains in Canal City 

Pachinko (?) machine. Some such ball bearing machine anyway
Photo by Natto 

Massive wall of TVs in Canal City 

Eventually wandered back to the hotel.  Where it's now rather late...