Today’s first adventure was at the laundromat. While it wasn’t exciting, it was needed. The sweet attendant helped us figure out the new fangled washer and dryer combo. We didn’t even need soap!
We caught a limited express train to Kurashiki and half the train ride time. Kurashiki is pronounced more like Kurashki (with out the extra i).
Here we are on the train in the non reserved car. (Which means we hoped we would find a seat when we boarded. This time we did!)
After yesterday’s lunch debacle, we ate right away at the little mall near the station. I found tonkatsu (breaded, fried pork cutlet)! (Plus, rice, corn soup, salad and potato salad.) Delicious!
Then we ventured a 15 minute walk to the historic district. (There is much more to Kurashiki than this, but this district was delightful!)
I wish the canal boats were going, but they were not today. Alas.
A random shop with armor in the window.
This was the sole green roofed complex we found in Kurashiki.
The canal was decorated, I believe for Hinamatsuri.
A busy street.
A brief moment with no one on the street. (And yes cars drive here too!)
I am not sure if the trees are in planters or not in the image below.
Swans on the canal. They seemed to expect to be fed.
We went to the ukiyo-e museum there too. But no pictures were allowed inside. It was fascinating though! The pictures all had stories with them and it was fun to see which ones I knew!
At the station we found yuzu and honey tea. It was yummy!
Our train back to Okayama.
It was another express train, for which I was grateful. There were no seats left in the non reserved section and we couldn’t get off before the train was moving. So we stood at the end of the car for the ride. At least we weren’t the only ones “stranded” on the train with no seats.
We grabbed supper at the grocery store and breakfast from the bakery. So we’ll be ready for the early train to Kyoto in the morning! (Thankfully, those seats are reserved!)