Day 8 June 25

Looks like it's going to be a long days travel. We pack up all our things and then leave them at the front desk before going for a walk to the local shrine and look at the incredibly high trees there. There are supposed to give off energy and we're going to need it today.
First we take the bus to Misima station. They call it a highway express but it was quite slow. I'm not sure if we even got on the highway. From there we caught the Shinkansen to Kyoto. Waiting on the platform as other bullet trains went past the speed was incredible. If they didn't stop at the platform the just suddenly appeared for a few seconds as they flew by. The one we were going on was one of the fastest. The Hikari. So we zoomed across Japan. All a bit of a blur except for the Panasonic Ark which stood out because it looked like something from outer space.
Reaching Kyoto we realised we had to make 3 train switches because of their complex ownership of railways. The family looks tired as we walk between different stations and up and down stairs loaded up with bags. Eventually we reach Kamikarusa where our apartment is. It's raining and we have to find the place. It's about a 15 minute walk but it seems so much longer. And when we get there we can't find the front entrance.
Inside it's a pretty amazing looking flat but missing any kind of instructions how to operate stuff. Nor or there any glasses to drink out of. It's pretty big and there's 3 bedrooms which is unusual for Japan but the mattresses are very thin. Oh well. Liz and I go for a walk and find we're next to quite a busy little area with a Uniqlo store where we buy a few little things. We also try and buy groceries. The milk thing is scary but we get it right this time. No so the sugar which is something else altogether. I've got a google translator but I forget to bring my pocket wifi.
We pass a Korean BBQ on the way and decide we'll eat there tonight. Gathering up the kids we go back to the restaurant and we're ushered to the back to a more traditional eating place. In faltering English they ask me how much I want to spend and we work out the dinner like that. Kicking off with  there most popular dish beef tongue we start to get a bit scared about what might be coming. But Remi and I like it. Tastes a bit like bacon really. Everything else is a bit more normal but incredibly flavoursome. We converse with the owner and he gets us to try little things I can't pronounce. Home to a glass of wine and bed.