11 November 2026
Back to the other side
Tsuruga to Nagoya on the Shirasagi
I have bravely returned once more to Nagoya, the most boring city in all of Japan. It is however a large city, with possibly the most extensive underground labyrinth of shopping and restaurant areas of anywhere.
To get here, I could have taken a bullet train via Osaka, or for much cheaper and less time, the limited express Shirasagi. A unique feature of this train is that it changes directions at Maibara, which means everyone leaps up and spins their seats around. If you are not expecting this to happen, you might assume the train is going back to Tsuruga and you are supposed to change trains. There is no signs or announcements so be aware. I had travelled on this line before, in the opposite direction, it surprised me last time but not this time.
After arriving in Nagoya I still had 90 minutes to spare, I knew exactly where to go, and now my oestrogen levels are much more regulated.
This is the Tsuruga Shinkanesen station. Now pay attention. To the left, via an integrated overpass (refer getting stamped bits of paper) is the normal JR stations, for the regular lines I took in Tsuruga, some of which take IC card, some do not, that part is still a mystery to all. To the right, is MORE of the JR station, for the limited express lines to Kyoto and Nagoya, which you need reservations for. To get to those lines, you must pass through a JR local station, the Hapi line private station (pink coloured), the Shinkansen station and then the other part of the JR station. What a great design!
Here is the Shirasagi no 6 that will take me all the way to Nagoya in 90 minutes, it is, a train.
The inside is, just a train.
I remembered this building from my last visit, I am staying at the same hotel as last time, down this street across from the station.
As mentioned I went back underground to hang out with the formally dressed secretaries at lady salad, where I chose the oestrogen regulating option. The girls look very strangely at me when they take the order.
Now for my room, which is the same Sotetsu Fresa as last time I was here, under $100 Australian a night.
Standard bathroom.
The window opens, so here is the view. So many options, so many places that are open, both above and below ground.