Fast train to Okayama

Our decision to proceed with Nara yesterday turned out to be a fortunate one indeed - it was belting down this morning as we packed our things and made our way to the Gion Station. With Josh taking the occasional glide on the wet marble that Gion ingeniously uses for pavement, we made it to the Subway without any major spillages.

A group of gaijin (non-Japanese folk) boarded the carriage we were on - nearly bowling over a poor gent trying to exit the train in the process. Their conversation was audible to everyone. It was an odd experience, exchanging faintly raised eye-brows with fellow-passengers over the rowdy Westerners.

We stocked up on some snacks prior to boarding the Shinkansen, including some Koala-shaped biscuits and Byron Bay Cookies of all things. The rain didn't let up as we blasted along the track - I was half expecting some Pacific Rim exhibit to appear in my window at any moment.

Fast as it looks.

You may have heard of the fable about the boy born from a giant peach (known as Momotaro - or Peach Boy), who is accompanied by a talking dog, monkey and pheasant on various adventures. This fable originated in Okayama, and is closely tied to the place. While we didn't notice any over-sized peaches with muffled noises coming from them (or talking animals for that matter), we did manage to locate our accommodation for the next two nights.

Momotaro - his talking menagerie now including pigeons apparently.

The forecast is for the rain to ease up overnight - so there is a chance we may even get to see the famous Koraku Garden as well Okayama Castle. 

The Martins hit Okayama.