Niigata to Tokyo via Shinkansen or Bullet Train

Niigata to Tokyo via Shinkansen or Bullet Train

We cruised as the sun set back to the mainland to Niigata where we would be leaving our lovely ship and taking the train to Tokyo. In port there were some odd little creatures at the pier to greet us as we boarded our buses for the train station.

Kinda strange Welcoming Ceremony!

Our train

Guests on the train

The train went through many tunnels to get to Tokyo and there wasn’t much scenery to photograph.

In Tokyo we went straight to a Shabu-shabu restaurant where we cooked our own food in boiling water. It was an experience – very warm in Tokyo and also in the restaurant! After that we took a river cruise and went up into the Sky Tree to get a view of Tokyo from two very different perspectives.

Shabu-shabu Lunch

River Cruise

Tokyo Tree from the river – highest tower in the world

View from Tokyo Tree

View straight down looking through the floor

Then we were off to the Palace Hotel to check in for and prepare for the farewell dinner.

Farewell Dinner at the Palace Hotel

Most of the passengers left the next day for their trips home. 21 stayed for the optional Extension to Kamakura and Hokene to experience a stay at a Japanese Ryokan. I tagged along.... see next post for details.