First Asia Mega Tour II Pictures

After the fabulous day we had weather wise for our train excursion yesterday and our tremendous luck going on the inaugural train ride, today was a double whammy of unfortunate luck. First it rained all day, making our plans for walking around the city and taking pictures a non-starter. Second, there was a marathon race taking place and they closed down all of the public transportation for the day including the special sightseeing bus! We did go to a museum on the Meiji Restoration. People from the area around Kagoshima had an major influence this historical event. However, we don't have to leave for our next stop Fukuoka until early afternoon tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be better. So we think we will pack up tonight and take sometime tomorrow morning to take pictures.  In the meantime, it was a good day to get the pictures done and posted. Also if you'd like the Wife perspective of our travels, she has started blogging too! http://gloandmikeabroad.blogspot.jp

In Transit

Off from LA

Business Class on Singapore Airlines has the biggest seats I've ever seen

Wife was pretty happy that we are finally really going. 

Ah Airport World Japan. So much like Airport World everywhere else except more face masks.

After the fiasco with Jetstar Japan Airlines and our luck changing the dates on our Japan Rail Passes, finally on our way via the Narita Express towards Kagoshima. 

Making on of our two train transfers. Wife looks oh so much happier than she really was feeling.

Got to get a glimpse of Mount Fuji!

Our first real meal in Japan, Shabu-Shabu with the local specialty, black pig, accompanied by local sweet potato Soju

 This all gets cooked in the broth

The Train Excursion

This was such a blast. We had so many interactions with people, got to see the countryside, and learned about the train riding culture.

The Trains

On route

Each of the three tourist trains of this route was unique in its style

And of course there was this one that was debuting this weekend replacing a former steam line

Taking mandatory pictures

Numerous times the trains stopped a specific places to take pictures. I didn't think the views were all that great but since it seemed important I did take them.

This is...

This

Activities

You stopped at all kinds of small towns where they would sell things and people would get out to take pictures of the quaint stations. Plus there were all the festivities of the inaugural train.

And there was entertainment

And when we got back to Kagoshima there was entertainment associated with the marathon (thought we didn't know it at the time)