Hirosaki (Aomori Prefecture) is the “Kyoto of the North”. It took me 4
train changes and 13 long hours to travel from the Kansai region, south
of Japan, all the way to the northernmost tip of Honshu Island.
Aomori is
the jump-off point for travels to the island of Hokkaido. The JR booking staff
in Kobe had doubts about the itinerary because in one stop, I only had 10
minutes to find my next train. In Japan, sometimes looking for your platform
can be a challenge. “You have to run fast,” he reminded me.
But I made it. It was an “amazing race” moment. But thanks to the
reliability of Japanese trains. They’re a stickler to schedule. If anything, it
would be the human factor that would de-rail the plan – me! I needed to be sharp,
precise, decisive and fast. I had to be strong too because there was an 18
kilogram luggage – plus a backpack to consider.
Slept through the Tokyo-to-Aomori leg. Upon arrival in Hirosaki, it
took me 5 minutes to check into my hotel. Toyoko Inn was just 2 minutes walk
from the station exit. I amazingly felt rested. I love the comfort of Japanese
trains. They’re clean, have good legroom, and seats are very comfortable. Plus,
noise is moderated. Taking calls in the train is frowned upon. You have to go
to the empty entrance area to do so.
I took a cab to the castle grounds. There was still light at past 6 PM.
Hirosaki is considered the remote north. You have to get a limited 30-minute train ride
from Aomori. Hirosaki Castle was beautiful under the fading sun.
On my hike back to my hotel, I got lost. What should have been 15 minutes took 2 hours. And no one could help because it was a virtual ghost town, like Imaishi. I might as well be in a post-apocalyptic movie set. It wasn’t like I could knock on homes and say, “Can you point the way to the hotel?” It would weird people out. Apparently I was the only living soul walking the streets.
On my hike back to my hotel, I got lost. What should have been 15 minutes took 2 hours. And no one could help because it was a virtual ghost town, like Imaishi. I might as well be in a post-apocalyptic movie set. It wasn’t like I could knock on homes and say, “Can you point the way to the hotel?” It would weird people out. Apparently I was the only living soul walking the streets.
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| Beautiful corner in Hirosaki Park (Aomori Prefecture) |
Sounds like a Real adventure!
ReplyDeleteIt was, Ola. An exhausting but enjoyable adventure.
ReplyDelete