We decided to take a break from Japanese history and do something really different on Tuesday. We left Hikone and jumped on a train to Osaka to Universal Studios Japan. We had high hopes that a cloudy Tuesday might not be so crowded. Well, those hopes may have paid off because we don't know what the crowds are usually like, but it seemed pretty packed to us. Halloween is big here in Japan and many folks were dressed in costumes for the occasion. We had a lot of fun visiting the different areas of the park and loved the Harry Potter ride through Hogwarts.
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| This Dad doesn't want to lose his kid in the crowd. |
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| This kid found some breathing room on the crowded train. |
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| Covered Main Street |
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| Harry Potter's Village of Witchcraft and Wizardry |
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| All Aboard for Hogwarts |
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| Reflection of Hogwarts |
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| Perspective building makes this building look bigger and higher than it is. |
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| San Francisco |
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New York
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| We had fun watching people having lots of fun. |
We returned from a day of fantasy back to Hikone by 9:30, totally exhilarated and exhausted.
When we woke up this morning, the clouds were starting to thin and blow out of the area. It was windy and cold as we walked back to the Hikone castle and Lake Biwa, the largest fresh water lake in Japan. If you read Monday's post, it was raining so hard we postponed a visit to the castle until Wednesday when the forecast showed clearing skies.
Making our train reservations for Gifu at the station first thing in the morning, we checked out of the hotel, stored our bags at the desk, and walked to the castle. We climbed the hill, walked around and enjoyed the views from the castle tower.
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| The wind on Lake Biwa was stirring up the water with white caps. |
The Hikone castle is small compared to other castles, but still impressive. Stairways from one level of the tower to the next are really, really steep, more like a ladder. People were struggling going down the steep stairs. Russ and I turned around like you do on a boat, and went down backwards. A few people saw us and followed our example.
Our train left for Gifu at 1:30. We picked up our bags at the hotel, bought some ready made sandwiches, and stopped at a bank to get some cash. The ATM wouldn't take our debit cards. This is the first time we have had this problem. We were directed to see a teller. From the lobby we walked into the main part of the bank with many clerks and other employees working at their desks. There were only a few customers in the bank.
What surprised us the most was that all of the people working at their desks stood up and welcomed us with bow and a verbal greeting "Irasshaimase", and a representative came out from behind the tellers window to talk with us. We thought at first it was because we were obviously foreigners, but it was a greeting they extended to each customer who comes in.
The staff was very pleasant and helpful, but could not help us with the debit cards. Their bank was not setup to take cards even though the machine had an English option. Russ finally pulled out some of our emergency dollars and exchanged a few hundred. All was good. Tomorrow is the last day of our two week Japan Rail pass. We have enjoyed having this pass and traveling on the trains. We arrived in Gifu about 2:30, and walked to our hotel a few blocks away. It's a lovely city from what we can see so far.
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| Large, sweet smell of a non-smoking room. |
We will spend the night here, and tomorrow morning will take a train to Kanayama to meet our Friendship Force Hosts for the coming week.
All is Well with the Worrall Travel R's in Gifu, Japan.
