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First Morning in Ikego
We got started on our first actual morning in Japan (after a real nights' sleep).

It was almost like a Christmas morning. 

We all got some special gifts, and had a chance to enjoy being together as a family.

Morning apparatus check.

First Turnouts
Monty got his first set of Turnout Gear. 

An exciting moment.

He looks pretty good in gear.

Good Morning! Papa and Nana are in Japan!

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Pasmo Cards
Pasmo cards, or the equivalent, are swiped at gates when entering and exiting train stations.
That automatically deducts the appropriate fare from the pre-loaded card.
When the card balance goes down, you can recharge it, with cash or credit card.
Very efficient and easy to use. Kept in a handy place, on person, at all times.

They also are also used on buses, and even at many vending machines and convenience stores.
 

Our Train Station
Our local station "Jimmuji" can be entered from either side of the tracks. There are Stations, with areas like this, one on each side. You can buy tickets, recharge Pasmo cards, or enter here.

Walking thru the gate on the left takes a simple, quick swipe of the Plasmo Card. A swipe going in, or going out, of any train station, allows passage. No swipe, and a gate immediately prevents passage.

If you didn't have a card, you could look at the map and figure out your destination. Fares are based on distance traveled. Then put some Yen (money) into the machine, and a little paper ticket is printed out. You put the paper ticket into the gate (signing in) and it spits it back out for you. Hang on to it. When you get to your destination, you put the ticket back in at that gate (signing out), it keeps it. You are all paid up.

 

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Hakkei Station
The KANAZAWA-HAKKEI (KK-50) Station is about 10 minutes away. It is a relatively large station, with multiple lines converging, making it a "hub" in many ways. As a result, there is also a bus terminal, enabling people to get around even easier.

Today, we'll take the Keikyu Line the other direction a couple stops. We board at Jimmuji (KK-52) and head to HAKKEI (KK-50) for lunch.

Types of Trains
The Hakkei Station is a great place to watch, and learn about how the trains operate.
In addition to the various train lines, there are also types of train service to figure out.

LOCAL TRAINS
Some trains are identified as LOCAL.
They tend to stop at every stop on the route.
Sometimes this is what you are looking for.
The trade off is, Local Trains may take longer to get to your end goal.

LIMITED EXPRESS & EXPRESS
Other trains are considered LIMITED EXPRESS or EXPRESS. 
They may also make some stops, but significantly fewer, taking less time in most cases.
If you know your destination is one of the planned stops, these are great choices, skipping all the stops you don't need.

The Tricky Part. The same trains, use the same tracks, and the same platforms. The only indication of which train is which, may be a display window on the train (hopefully also in English), and typically an overhead schedule sign on the platforms. Knowing the scheduled time of YOUR train is also Key to boarding the right train at the right time.

It is all easier said than done. More than once, I ended up on a train I thought was my train, that wasn't. Thus the adventure part of traveling. Sometimes you don't know where you are going, until you get there, making it more interesting.

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Ramon Lunch in Hakkei
After a successful train ride, we popped into a little local restaurant for our first Ramon Noodles meal. A combination of soft noodles, a couple pieces of pork, some green stuff (seaweed?) and a half soft boiled egg. It is eaten mostly with chop sticks. Great flavor! "OISHI" Delicious!

A short walk from the Hakkei Station to lunch.

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Back to Jimmuji
Mission accomplished. Experienced Hakkei Station. Had lunch. Now back to Jimmuji.

Another short, successful adventure and learning experience completed.

Kids in the neighborhood.

Some signs to learn.

A very common looking style of cars in Japan. Shorter and more narrow than most at home, but plenty of room inside for everyone. Smooth on the road. Driven on the right side. Most kept clean.

A local District Chief vehicle. Compact and clean like most vehicles we see.

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Next up - Some shopping
One of the local shops where you can buy some fresh fish.

Grocery Store - Comparisons
We went to a Japanese grocery store to get some supplies.

The first thing about the store, was the four attendants, appropriately stationed with light wands, who help guide you to a parking spot inside the garage. They also let you know when it is safe to re-enter the street. Nice touch.

The wide variety, freshness, and presentation of many of the items was impressive.
The pricing, at this point, was still difficult to appreciate in relative terms, but was not bad when all said and done.

The shopping carts are smaller and lighter than US carts. They had 4 spinning wheels, making them very easy to use. The carts carry (2) good sized plastic baskets that you place your items in as you shop. When you get to checkout, the basket in placed on a counter. The clerk scans each item, and places everything in another basket (paid color plastic). You pay, and then take your baskets to another counter where you bag your stuff, using your own bags or available plastic bags.

Very efficient and orderly.
 

Many items, like fruit, are individually wrapped. If you only need one, you don't have to buy three.

The package of pork meat lower middle is priced at 504 Yen (544 Yen with tax) or about $3.65 US.

The package of beef lower middle is priced at 945 Yen or about $6.35 US. Plenty of meat for several people to enjoy.

Cartons of eggs. 10 eggs per carton for about 321 Yen or $2.15 US. 6 egg cartons for a little less.
And they are very fresh!

A prepared meal for 429 Yen or $2.87 US.  853 Yen (tax included) is about $5.70 US.

Osaka Sushi prepared meals for $429 Yen or about $2.87 US. A very filling, satisfying meal.

They sell beer in the grocery store. A six pack of Sapporo beer for 1163 Yen would be $7.77 US.
Harder stuff can be found around the corner.

We feel very welcomed and at home here.


 

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