The Road to Osaka
Once we survived the flight with only our asses damaged, it was time to take the train from Narita Airport and meet Shimpei for the drive to Osaka (the distance from LA to San Francisco) about a 6 hours.
First step was to get our JR Rail Passes so we can ride any train in Japan for the time we are here. Then take the Narita Express train to Shinjuku station and find Shimpei ( he was waiting for as at the platform and solved that whole issue ), Cross from the JR line to the complete other end of the station to the Keio Line, dragging the heavy luggage, to get to Shimpei's house ( and yes we have almost the same square footage in the RV as he has in his apartment ).
Next was to get Shimpei's car, and get some Ramen for dinner. So, we headed to a Ramen stand that we had been to before that had good ramen, this time the taste was completely different ( still good ) but not anything like the one we remembered. After eating Miki and I asked Shimpei if the owner changed, he said nope just the flavor changes often and some times it's good, bad or awesome but worth the risk.
After Ramen we headed back to Shimpei's place and packed the car for the midnight run back to Osaka. We were on the road by 10pm and headed out of Tokyo and for the mountain route south. The we took the Chuoudou Highway that is a toll based road from Tyoko to Osaka, it costs about $109 to drive it, but you do not need to get off the highway at anytime as they have rest stops, restaurants and other attractions along the way. Stopped a few times for rest breaks and to buy Omiyage of pickles and hand made soba noodles. I was able to sleep in the car for almost the whole trip, while Mikiko and Shimpei talked and listened to music. Unfortunately Shimpei was the only person that could drive since Mikiko and I didn't get the international driver licenses this trip. Poor Shimpei......
We pulled into Osaka just after 4am jumped in the ofuro (A Japanese Style bath where you need to take a shower and get clean in order to jump in the tub and soak) and crashed on our futon (A Japanese style bed that is laid on a floor.
~Keath
Next was to get Shimpei's car, and get some Ramen for dinner. So, we headed to a Ramen stand that we had been to before that had good ramen, this time the taste was completely different ( still good ) but not anything like the one we remembered. After eating Miki and I asked Shimpei if the owner changed, he said nope just the flavor changes often and some times it's good, bad or awesome but worth the risk.
After Ramen we headed back to Shimpei's place and packed the car for the midnight run back to Osaka. We were on the road by 10pm and headed out of Tokyo and for the mountain route south. The we took the Chuoudou Highway that is a toll based road from Tyoko to Osaka, it costs about $109 to drive it, but you do not need to get off the highway at anytime as they have rest stops, restaurants and other attractions along the way. Stopped a few times for rest breaks and to buy Omiyage of pickles and hand made soba noodles. I was able to sleep in the car for almost the whole trip, while Mikiko and Shimpei talked and listened to music. Unfortunately Shimpei was the only person that could drive since Mikiko and I didn't get the international driver licenses this trip. Poor Shimpei......
We pulled into Osaka just after 4am jumped in the ofuro (A Japanese Style bath where you need to take a shower and get clean in order to jump in the tub and soak) and crashed on our futon (A Japanese style bed that is laid on a floor.
~Keath