Tokyo to Nikko and Thunderstorns

We slept in until almost 6 this morning! Going out for our run, we saw a lot more people out walking, jogging and biking. Along the path by the river, there are a bunch of large replicas of works of art that had the Sumidagawa in them. Some very nice paintings and scenery.

We always love riding the Shinkansen, the bullet trains, in Japan. They are so futuristic compared to the trains we have, both with the interior comfort, and the exterior appearance.

K.I.T.T. on steroids

The trip to Nikko was quite uneventful, which is always a good thing when traveling, though the thunderstorms rolled in while we were traveling. We arrived at the Nikko JR station and looked around a bit while we waited for the shuttle to the hostel.

Nikko Station dates back to the late 1800's, and it is mostly the same building that it has been since 1910.

Old fashioned ticket counters

"Scout" (real name unknown) picked us up in a rather serious downpour and proceeded to drive us far more quickly than was prudent in any weather, let alone a thunderstorm, to the hostel. The Space River House. The name means nothing, other than the owner (the previously mentioned "Scout") probably has done a lot of drugs. It is a rambling series of lofts and other buildings connected to an old onsen resort. A really different, but interesting and nice, hostel. You never know what you are going to get with hostels. This one is quite good.

Main public room, what used to be the dining hall for the resort, complete with kotatsu and a stage. 

complementary iMacs in all the public areas, and very fast wi-fi. 

a view out the back window. The hostel is in the middle of the mountains, miles from anything else.

 a view from the outside

the central, outdoor public area. Notice the projector hanging above. There is an Apple TV and input jacks to stream from any device. How perfectly 21st century.

Scout took all the guests that needed dinner to Matsuya Shokudou (at the intersection of 149 and 164 for anyone in the area), where we had some of the best standard Japanese food we've eaten in quite a while. Sumi had some Vegetable Itame (Japanese stir-fry) and I had Gyudon (beef and onions over rice). Good flavors, no fish, dirt cheap ($12 for both of us). we were too tired and hungry to take pictures (again!).

Tomorrow we'll chance the rain and head out to the national park for some nature hiking.