I feel like I figured I might need this one in the future too…
#JohnDoesJapan
4
0
0
0
Hashtag
#JohnDoesJapan
Advertisement · 728 × 90
Breathe with the waves along the Pacific coast of Hokkaido.
#JohnDoesJapan
4
0
1
0
How about some snow? Snow is so relaxing when viewed from a nice warm train. Especially in Japan. I can feel the warm milk tea bottle in my hand now.
#JohnDoesJapan
2
0
2
0
Just watch and think about how many people this Shinkansen has relaxingly brought up and down Japan's Tohoku region.
#JohnDoesJapan
5
0
1
0
Hey, so I don't know if you could use a bit of time spent doing eight-in, eight-hold, eight-out, eight-hold breathing, but friends, I sure could.
Here's a #JohnDoesJapan thread for us.
10
3
1
0
A large, wide, forwards/backwards business class seat in a 777. It is grey and light wood effect, with doors.
Same seat, focussing on the very wide seating bench part, which stretches all the way from aisle to nearly the sidewall.
Massively excited for this massive seat — full disclosure, ANA #presstrip — heading to London today.
Another incredible #JohnDoesJapan trip in the books… three weeks of trains, gardens and joy.
Mamonaku: fourteen hours of this.
32
0
2
0
No, I definitely didn’t make myself a little pillowfort every morning and evening to sit happily and watch the trains with a quiet podcast to unwind from the busy-ness of Tokyo, why do you ask? #JohnDoesJapan
14
0
0
1
#ToyokoInn room tour! This is a regular, relatively modern single room in Oji, just north of the Yamanote Line — I’d call it “just north of central Tokyo”, really.
Charming little spot, not at all touristy, very convenient, with the most INCREDIBLE train views from the railway side… #JohnDoesJapan
13
2
4
0
A 6-8 lane street in Tokyo of 8-10 storey buildings with a myriad lights and ads on them.
A long pedestrian alleyway, with a roof, with a myriad small shops selling all kinds of things: like fried foods, on the right.
Two different Tokyos — Akihabara Electric Town and the Joyful Minori shopping street.
Twenty-mumble years ago, before I first visited, my idea of Japan was the one on the left.
Today, some of my favourite Japan memories are from places like the one on the right.
#JohnDoesJapan
20
1
3
0
The end of the Enoden line, seen from the front cab, with a hell of a lot of people there
Interior of the Enoden , after everybody got off
The front row seat behind the Driver’s cab on the Enoden
Exterior photo of the train; it is green and white, surrounded by a large amount of people
The #Enoden sure is cute — but that is a LOT of people to have to struggle through to try to enjoy a ride on board.
I knew that going in, especially on a holiday weekend, and had alternate plans. I’ll go back, but in the lowest of low seasons.
#JohnDoesJapan
7
1
1
0
Behold! The sea itself!
So real talk: you can only properly see the sea from the front window today — or any busy day — because the #Enoden is so packed full of people and you can’t see through them, seated or standing. Rider beware.
#JohnDoesJapan
6
0
2
0
Oh hurrah, it’s the purple twin tram with Kyoto’s Randen!
I love that the Enoden and Randen celebrate each other’s weird little tram/streetcar/train systems.
#JohnDoesJapan
9
3
1
0
However rammed it is, the #Enoden is certainly exceedingly cute, quirky and atmospheric.
There are, alas, people literally leaning on me to take photos out the front window, which is *not* a vibe.
#JohnDoesJapan
3
0
1
0
Busy single line rail station.
Small white and green train waits at the station
Looking forward from the train to the track beyond
Okay, the Enoden is — predictably — rammed, so I waited 12 minutes for the next train to secure the front seat with the driver’s eye view.
Would definitely recommend, especially on a busy day. #JohnDoesJapan
4
0
1
0
An 8-storey or so 1960sesque building with elevated walkways to it
Oh wow, I love the retro aesthetic of the Enoden headquarters building… and you know I love a good elevated station precinct area too. This is #JohnDoesJapan catnip!
6
0
1
0
The view from the upper deck of the green car on these double deckers is great, and #Tokyo is really turning on the weather for it! #JohnDoesJapan
12
0
1
0
A silver train with green and orange strikes at Tokyo station
The double decker green car, with green and orange stripes and the green car logo
This might be an unwise move on a holiday weekend, but the weather is gorgeous and sakura season is starting, so I’m off to Enoshima to ride the Enoden, the Shonan dangly monorail and the Odakyu Romancecar… but first, the Tokaido Line and its pay-as-you-go double decker Green Car! #JohnDoesJapan
32
0
3
0
Oh, and the #TodenArakawa tram day pass? ¥400. That's €2.
Buy it from the driver and it loads automatically onto your IC card (Pasmo/Suica, including the mobile versions), so you just tap on as you board subsequently.
[insert "japan is living in 2050" stuff here]
#JohnDoesJapan
4
0
0
0
It's called Ippukutei and it's on the west platform at Koshinzuka station — between Otsuka and Oji.
Just the best tiny old local place, with the cutest grandmas and old American music (Loretta Lynn! Jimmie Rodgers!) playing.
Hard recommendation for a lovely place to relax. #JohnDoesJapan
3
1
1
0
A small café sits next to the short platform next to tram tracks.
Inside the same café looking outside over the typical Japanese plastic food display to a pink and white tram immediately next to the shop on the platform
A three-piece snack set: left to right includes salted kelp, ohagi and a cup of tea
Close up on the countertop where a lady is rolling an ohagi rice ball in her hands
The adorable tiny café right on the #TodenArakawa tram platform, where adorable little old ladies handmake sweet ohagi rice balls (look at my sakura-flavoured seasonal one!) you saw on socials?
ABSOLUTELY worth it. Delicious snacks (¥500 for tea and ohagi), so kind, so atmospheric. #JohnDoesJapan
9
2
1
0
No but really, such an interesting series of views of Tokyo on the #TodenArakawa Line — a window into parts of the city from a perspective you so rarely get. #JohnDoesJapan
8
0
1
0
Spending a wet public holiday in #Tokyo exploring the line of the #TodenArakawa Line, aka the Tokyo Sakura Tram, and it is so cute, and so atmospheric, and trundles through such fascinating neighbourhoods, I cannot even. #JohnDoesJapan
48
5
1
0
A pink cherry blossom flask sitting next to a train window with some Japan beyond.
So on my last day I picked up one of the seasonal sakura merch flasks — partly because I am an absolute sucker for Starbucks sakura merch, inject it in my veins, partly because these are the best flasks I have ever used.
I’ll think of my lovely trip to Nagano every time I use it. #JohnDoesJapan
14
1
0
0
#Nagano hotel rec: the #DormyInn, one of my number one picks in Japan (sorry Toyoko Inn-kun!) because they often have onsen hot springs, including outdoor rotenburo baths.
Nagano’s is on the 11th floor and was absolutely delightful after days of walking around! #JohnDoesJapan
4
0
1
0
#Nagano hotel rec: the #DormyInn, one of my number one picks in Japan (sorry Toyoko Inn-kun!) because they often have onsen hot springs, including outdoor rotenburo baths.
Nagano’s is on the 11th floor and was absolutely delightful after days of walking around! #JohnDoesJapan
3
0
0
0
That’s a wrap for my day out on the #Nagaden to #Obuse, featuring #Hokusai and a lovely, welcoming temple.
Any questions? Curious about how to incorporate this into your #Japan trip? Ask away!
#JohnDoesJapan
3
0
2
0
And then it was back to #Obuse station to get back on the #Nagaden to Nagano — and one of the ex-Narita Express trains pulled up just as my ex-Romancecar did as well. Train kismet! #JohnDoesJapan
3
0
1
0
This was SUCH a great day out of wonderful retro trains, incredible art and architecture, a gorgeous temple, and friendly — and English-speaking! — Japanese omotenashi welcome.
Highly recommend, including as a Tokyo day trip. #JohnDoesJapan
4
0
0
0
A Japanese festival float. The roof is black in a traditional Japanese shape. Between the two halves there is a man and a dragon. In the interior, we can see two paintings of waves.
A close-up of the interior which now reveals a cherry blossom motif as well.
Hokusai’s Masculine Wave. Blue and white waves swirl slightly like a surfing wave tube. the style is very classic Hokusai
Hokusai’s Feminine Wave. Blue and white waves underneath a deeper blue swirl.
The second of the #Hokusai festival floats in #Obuse is my favourite, with these two waves — symbolising the masculine and the feminine that I just adore.
I love that they’ve put the originals in easy view of visitors, with reproductions on the floats themselves. #JohnDoesJapan
10
0
1
0
A very brightly coloured traditional Japanese festival float featuring internal ceiling panels with a dragon and a phoenix as key motifs.
Close-up on the dragon motif. It appears on a red round background surrounded by waves that are almost instantly recognisable in the style of Hokusai. The dragon itself is very long and has a very expressive face, looking a little bit like a sad cat.
The Phoenix appears with an orange swirl on a black background. It’s feathers and wings are ultimately green teal and orange.
#Hokusai came to #Obuse towards the end of his life, and a wealthy farmer patron built him a house/studio.
He created some of his most striking artwork — including two festival floats, now in the museum here.
This float combines dragon and phoenix motifs, and they are STUNNING.
#JohnDoesJapan
11
0
1
0