Sayonara Japan

Getting ready to leave. We had breakfast in our room with a beautiful view of the mountains. It is going to be a very long day, but it is time to go home. We are weary and long for our own bed. I used to include toilet in that but I have to say, I am going to miss the toilets of Japan. They are clean, neat, always have paper, free and usually heated. Also going to miss the coffee vending machines. Sorry we didn't discover them earlier. 

We never know how any trip is going to turn out. But, looking back, we did really well with our Japan plans for not being on the tour bus. Tokyo was a whirlwind. Our ryokan in Arashiyama was worth every penny. Kyoto was beautiful and the temples a site to behold. It was great staying with Jonni and getting out of the city. I was concerned it would be too much to go back and forth, but it was really very convenient, and he made it even more so by offering to drive us to and from the station. And Hakone - Hakone was the icing on the cake! Never did I imagine we would enjoy it so. I totally recommend it to anyone visiting Japan. 

Had some time to kill, so we went back out to the garden. Took some more photos. Petted the koi. Rang the bell at Happiness Hill. At the waterwheel, we had our final Jerry B. travel memorial. Going to let the poor guy rest from now on. It is still early - guess we will make our way to the train station.

Arrived at the station early. I guess we always have to wait somewhere - so now we will wait at the Yumoto Station - where we are right now. We are watching all the crowds head up to Gora (where we were yesterday). So glad we did it our way. Somehow we managed to escape the hoards of people, again.

The 12:20 Romance Car came right on time. In retrospect, we could have boarded the earlier train since no one ever looked at our tickets. But being the good doobies that we are, we waited for our train. The ride was a comfortable hour and a half. Ordered a box seafood lunch which was, once again, pretty delicious. Don't think we had a bad meal yet. Didn't lose any weight on this trip no matter how much we biked or walked. Pulled into Shinjuku station - went straight to the west gate, like we were told, and viola! there was an airport limo bus waiting. We had reservations for the 2:20 but they took us on the 2pm no probem. Bus was another comfortable hour or so trip - no hassles and drops you right at the departure terminal.

Checked in and we are now sitting in the Sakura Lounge - I'm sipping wine and preparing for the 13 hour flight home.  Flying into JFK because they do not offer Premium Economy on the Boston flight, unfortunately. So we will do our 13 hours in comfort and take the hour and half JetBlue flight to Boston. Should get in around 10pm. Car service will pick us up. Hope to be all tucked in by 11:30 - midnight the latest.

Next time... Be it ever so humble..