We had to be up, packed and breakfasted early today, as we had a 10:00 AM booking on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Atami station. Breakfast was in the hotel coffee shop and we were all soon loaded on the bus for the 45 minute drive through the 10 Purovu~insupasu (10 Province Pass).
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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I’ve always admired Japan’s railway system, including its world-renowned shinkansen (bullet train), as it is famously clean, safe, modern, and efficient. As we’ve learned from friends who explored Japan by train a few years ago – Japanese people are extraordinarily helpful. If you are ever lost or in doubt, you can simply find the nearest station attendant and ask for help — unlike in many countries, they’ll actually be happy to assist. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva
Japan is one country you can truly get around easily in by train. We found this out during our 1985 travels. All we had to do anywhere in Japan was pull a map out and we would get offers of assistance. This applied to both trains and subway systems. You never had to wonder if your train would be on time, it always was. Thanks for reading Aiva. Have a great Wednesday. Allan
That is nice of the man to help you with your dinner. I imagine I wouldn’t know how to properly eat everything in Japan. Also, I’m wondering how fast the bullet trains go now, I thought I heard about 200 mph.
We have come a long way since those days of naivety and after all our Japanese homestay students. I think the max is 200 m/h on the main line, but test runs have achieved 275 m/h. Even though they have the best safety record in the world, I am not sure I would like that speed. Even the TGV in France was unsettling if you looked at anything close to the windows. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
This is my kinda article. An unapologetic nostalgia mixed with train travel. Perfect. The toilet signs are amusing and, as are the rotating seats, I’d never heard of that before. The mother and daughter shot is a gem and I enjoyed reading about Atami, which I haven’t yet visited.
We were glad to get on the Shinkansen on this trip. In 1985, we went back with a 21 day Japan Rail Pass and rode the trains up and down Honshu and Kyushu. A great wat to travel. The National Railway Museum in York has one of the original Bullet trains. We visited in 2008 with our boys. It was a lot simpler to get people to agree to a photo in those days. All we had to do was point and ask “shashin?” Likely not the same since social media. Thanks for coming along Leighton. Allan
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I’ve always admired Japan’s railway system, including its world-renowned shinkansen (bullet train), as it is famously clean, safe, modern, and efficient. As we’ve learned from friends who explored Japan by train a few years ago – Japanese people are extraordinarily helpful. If you are ever lost or in doubt, you can simply find the nearest station attendant and ask for help — unlike in many countries, they’ll actually be happy to assist. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva
LikeLiked by 1 person
Japan is one country you can truly get around easily in by train. We found this out during our 1985 travels. All we had to do anywhere in Japan was pull a map out and we would get offers of assistance. This applied to both trains and subway systems. You never had to wonder if your train would be on time, it always was. Thanks for reading Aiva. Have a great Wednesday. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is nice of the man to help you with your dinner. I imagine I wouldn’t know how to properly eat everything in Japan. Also, I’m wondering how fast the bullet trains go now, I thought I heard about 200 mph.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have come a long way since those days of naivety and after all our Japanese homestay students. I think the max is 200 m/h on the main line, but test runs have achieved 275 m/h. Even though they have the best safety record in the world, I am not sure I would like that speed. Even the TGV in France was unsettling if you looked at anything close to the windows. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is my kinda article. An unapologetic nostalgia mixed with train travel. Perfect. The toilet signs are amusing and, as are the rotating seats, I’d never heard of that before. The mother and daughter shot is a gem and I enjoyed reading about Atami, which I haven’t yet visited.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were glad to get on the Shinkansen on this trip. In 1985, we went back with a 21 day Japan Rail Pass and rode the trains up and down Honshu and Kyushu. A great wat to travel. The National Railway Museum in York has one of the original Bullet trains. We visited in 2008 with our boys. It was a lot simpler to get people to agree to a photo in those days. All we had to do was point and ask “shashin?” Likely not the same since social media. Thanks for coming along Leighton. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person