Akihabara in the morning, then Shinkansen to Okayama.

Tuesday, 23 August, 2005
Day 4 – Akihabara then Shinkansen to Okayama

We were addicted to Akihabara and went back for one last wander. Bit of shopping, trawling through Sofmap again for some knick-knacks. Couple of more electronic shops then off to JR Tokyo bound for Okayama.

Bought tickets earlier at Ochanomizu station. Japan phrase book has great section of fill in the blanks – we used it after trying to communicate ourselves – it worked a charm - and very helpful train attendants make this job a little easier too.

Shinkansen from JR Tokyo Station was amazing. 300 km/hr and you don’t really know it, about four hours and presto, we arrive. Video shows that speed a bit though. Lovely little drinks trolley supplied me with ample ale.

After getting out of Okayama station we trek the kilometer to Excel Okayama Hotel, about 1.2km from station. Stinking hot. Truly, when I signed the credit card thingy I left it soaking in sweat.

Up to 10th Floor room. Fabulous, although with the most dangerous big opening window have ever seen – easy to fall out to the concrete far below. Great view of Okayama Castle or U-Jo to us locals – {Cam insert – locals?? That’s funny}. Also off the left was the picturesque Koreukan Gardens (one of the three best in Japan)and the north part of the city. Amazing!!
Happy we cancelled our conference recommended accom. and went on our own (for ½ the price).

Dinner at a local (what we now know) noodle bar. Hilarious experience as the waiter tried to explain that we had only ordered one noodle (the basic) dish and that we should get 2. We put this together later when the 1 dish came out and a little bowl for me. There was so much laughter from the kitchen, all with love of course. The other dishes we had ordered were now quite obviously intended to be mixed in, and with, your noodle dish. We had a very difficult time ordering here.
Very few in Okayama had any English up to this point and we felt a tad isolated.