Through the mountains by coach

We were eating our breakfast in the little cafe in Takayama yesterday and working out the best way to get to Tokyo.

We had assumed train to Nagoya then Shinkansen to Tokyo. There was the alternative of train to Toyama and then shinkansen to Tokyo. All the options seemed to take around 5 or 5 and a half hours and to cost between ¥13000 and 15000

Then I saw a bus option. 6 hours and ¥6500

That seemed by far the better option. Half the price and not much longer in travelling time.  It did mean that Wendy didn't get a shinkansen ride but after all, a shinkansen is just a train, albeit a fast train.

The bus turned out to be an air conditioned coach with on board toilet and wifi.  Japan turned on its very best autumn colours for us.  We stopped three times for rest stops. We arrived 45 minutes early (there are a number of possible disembarkation points as you get to Tokyo but nobody wanted them so we stayed on the freeway).

It was a lovely journey

Here are some of the things we saw en route

And then, peeping at us we saw this

You might need to click on the photo to see properly

And now we are in Tokyo, near Asakusa, in the tiniest of tiny apartments.  We are agreed that if this was a hotel room we would be quite pleased with our two bedrooms and small, minute kitchenette.  As an apartment it leaves a bit to desired. However, the beds are comfortable and there is a kettle and wifi, so all my basic requirements are met. And we are very close to a main street with many convenience stores and eating places.  Can't really complain.