Stoat - Where?

After the hectic pace of Tokyo, today’s day trip was a nice relaxing contrast. This was my second time here and I again felt very relaxed here. That is, apart from being responsible for handling all the travel arrangements and ticket purchases. None of them were particularly difficult task, but when the success or failure of a trip is down to you, even the smallest challenge is made to seem complicated. After our tiring Tokyo trip and journey back yesterday, we decided to have a late sleep in and not rush things. Rushing to relax in Kyoto would’ve been pretty ironic anyway, I think.
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Barring a minor hiccup involving a confusion over terminals and far more shuttle bus journeys than I should’ve needed, meeting Mum and Jan at Narita Airport went ok. A salient tip for the wouldbe Japan tourguide - don’t assume that non Japanese speakers will be able to get into Central Tokyo on their own, because it’s not as easy as you’d think. Also, make sure you know what flight number you’re supposed to be meeting! We stayed in a decent hotel in Ueno, the New Izu Hotel, which had reasonable rates and comfortable, if functional rooms. Mum decided that futons, which would have given her the authentic Japanese experience, were not the answer to a long-haul flight and instead opted for ‘real’ beds. After 12 hours in the air, I don’t blame her!
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