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.
Nagoya central park area
Nagoya is great. I like that the walk from where I am staying by the station, to the main central park area known as Sakae, is busy the whole way, and there are 10 or more ways to walk to get there. I think Nagoya concentrates a lot of its activities into one central area, compared to places like Tokyo and Osaka that have many central areas. Although there is Gifu on the edge of Nagoya, so now I am confusing myself and no one even knows what the hell I am talking about.
So tonight I walked from my hotel to Sakae, wandered around what they call central park, which is mainly an underground shopping centre, gawked at the tv tower, and then discovered that the bus station roof was closed.
When I was last here it rained a lot during the evening, or I was too tired to walk to the central park area due to excess hiking and stayed in the station area, so tonight was the first time I had walked around this part of Nagoya without getting wet for a decade, I think.
Illuminations are ever present. I am here a bit later in the year than last time, so there are more illuminations.
I love an overpass, I can never resist.
The tower! It is very similar to the one in Sapporo, but no snow here. Actually it is noticeably warmer than the other side of Japan where I came from this morning.
I had dinner a bit earlier than normal because I spotted this pasta. All vegetarian today. That is cheese on the top. Very delicious.
Under this part of central Nagoya is a mall so long I cannot see the end.
Now for the bus station. Last time I was here this area under the roof was hosting a skate boarding competition with ramps and rails. Nothing is here at the moment, but I think they are setting up a Christmas market.
The roof was closed! I was looking forward to going on the roof, last time I stood up there in the rain.
With the decently sized earthquake here just a few days ago, I will give the ferris wheel a miss.
The main boulevard through the city has many department stores.
Also, of course, a Donki.
Here is a whole bunch more department stores. None of them are David Jones.
Now to walk back to my hotel, as I mentioned, plenty to look at for the whole journey.
I always appreciate a river/drain to look at. This one is nicer than most.
Tomorrow is a hiking day, it will be my 3rd visit to Gozaisho, last time I took an 'expert' route by mistake that took way too long, so now I must study numerous maps to make sure I take the regular route tomorrow.
The end for now
There are currently 1 comments - click to add
mother on 2026-11-11 said:
Definitely would like that salad.