Microblog

Tomorrow, Friday, back home. Haven’t had a conversation with a Westerner since Hawaii 24 days ago. Only Korean and Japanese. True escape.

Posted Hokkaido Museum Day: Trains and Beer.

Hey C, D: time for ice cream, or would you rather have the black bean (whole beans) popsicle I had the other day?

Now in Otaru, Hokkaido. As far north as I’m going. Pretty town center, historic harbor area, good rail connections.

Hakodate 8:00 p.m. this evening (Monday), from Mt Hakodate.

Hiking Onuma National Park today (Monday). 40-minute train ride from Hakodate. Still winter in Hokkaido.

C, D. Post cards from Hakodate (Hokkaido). When you get these, you will have cards from all Japan’s main islands.

Honey, I’m home.

Boni-moriya department store, Hakodate, selecting everyday, made-in-Japan hashi for our kitchen.

I wonder which of C and D’s 5 bad words are represented here. Maybe all there?! (Sign in Hakodate market/restaurant.)

Now in Hakodate on island of Hokkaido. Closer to Russia (note the Cyrillic script) than S Korea.

Posted Tokyo Hiking Trails (pix).

Will miss Japanese breakfasts. Today included: miso, smoked fish, fried squid (local), scrambled eggs, veggies, French fries, salad, rice.

Hey D and C. Imagine a tunnel from your home to my home. Tomorrow I travel in an even longer one (33 miles) from islands Honshu to Hokkaido.

Friday: “Mountains. Near Tokyo. Day 2.” C, D: this train climbed a mountain (Mt Mitake). Wish you rode it with me.

Gorgeous mountain hiking 70 miles/100 minutes from downtown Tokyo. You *can* escape the huge city for the weekend.