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Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - Page 3

Day 7 - Friday, 30 October 2026

The cold side

Tokyo to Niigata on the bullet train

Now I am Niigata, on the other side of Japan, facing North Korea and Siberia. Generally it is expected to be colder here, and less likely to be destroyed by a tsunami, less likely, but never unlikely.
Getting here was relatively painless, in fact I have a top tip. If you are going anywhere on the Shinkansen north of Tokyo, leave via Ueno rather than Tokyo station. It is very relaxing with almost no other people, plenty of places to sit, no punch ups, no people with bull horn speakers, all because no one is going to Kyoto from Ueno.

Anyway, now that I am here, it is grey, my hotel is near the station, and it is possibly the largest hotel room I have ever had in Japan.

Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - Inside the JR lines gates but before the Shinkansen gates in Ueno station has a lot of shops and restaurants, and no people. Very relaxing.

Inside the JR lines gates but before the Shinkansen gates in Ueno station has a lot of shops and restaurants, and no people. Very relaxing.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - There is always the possibility of more Ramen.

There is always the possibility of more Ramen.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - The departure waiting area. Almost no other people! Today for the first time I took a bullet train with the ticket linked to my IC card, very convenie

The departure waiting area. Almost no other people! Today for the first time I took a bullet train with the ticket linked to my IC card, very convenient, no more picking up tickets or QR codes. There will be a rant about this later in the trip.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - The inside of the train is, a train. I had a spare seat next to me. Total time to Niigata was just under 2 hours.

The inside of the train is, a train. I had a spare seat next to me. Total time to Niigata was just under 2 hours.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - I had just over an hour to kill before I could check into my hotel, so I waited for everyone to leave so I could take a photo of the sides of trains,

I had just over an hour to kill before I could check into my hotel, so I waited for everyone to leave so I could take a photo of the sides of trains, fascinating.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - View from Niigata station. Time for a late lunch to kill time.

View from Niigata station. Time for a late lunch to kill time.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - Behold my lunch, from Delifrance. Chosen because they had seating.

Behold my lunch, from Delifrance. Chosen because they had seating.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - Now for my huge hotel room, which is an APA, and about $100 a night. I thought it was a Dormy Inn, but my next few cities are Dormy Inn's, however I s

Now for my huge hotel room, which is an APA, and about $100 a night. I thought it was a Dormy Inn, but my next few cities are Dormy Inn's, however I suspect this APA is nicer. Hard to photograph due to angles but here is the bed.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - And allllll the way over there is my desk.

And allllll the way over there is my desk.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - Standard bathroom.

Standard bathroom.


Japan visit #14 - October and November 2026 - I even have an opening window. Photo from said window. That is enough hotel photos for now.

I even have an opening window. Photo from said window. That is enough hotel photos for now.


There are currently 1 comments - click to add

Adriana on 2026-10-30 said:

Yuk wallpaper.


The end

The end for now

Contents

Day 1 - Saturday, 24 October 2026
  The big bus to the short flight
  Wheres my plane?
  Was ANA any good or just hype?
Day 2 - Sunday, 25 October 2026
  The bears or the the typhoon?
  Umbrellageddon
Day 3 - Monday, 26 October 2026
  Wet pass office
  Roof garden in the rain
Day 4 - Tuesday, 27 October 2026
  Far away low foggy mountain
  Dry roads are back
Day 5 - Wednesday, 28 October 2026
  Unabandoned resort town
  No trains please
Day 6 - Thursday, 29 October 2026
  It finally paid for itself
  I forgot about the earthquake
Day 7 - Friday, 30 October 2026
  The cold side
  The end