Shinkansen to Kyoto

Back to Japan... After Tokyo, we took the 10:20 Shinkansen from Kyoto. It took 2 hours and 18 minutes and cost Y13,080, roughly $130. This was a non-reserved seat but on a Tuesday, there weren't too many people on the train. Reserved seats cost a little more. We got the tickets at the station. Ask the ticket agent which cars are non-reserved. Get on and find an empty seat.

You can research the train schedule online at http://www.hyperdia.com/en/. This is a fabulous website and I couldn't have planned our trip without it.

Hold on to your ticket until you exit your final destination. Either insert it into the exit turnstile or hand it to the station attendant.

Japanese bullet train--shinkansen. It can travel at speeds up to 200 mph. They run on time so don't be late.

The best thing about riding the train is purchasing bento boxes at the stations. Make sure you arrive early enough to make a good choice. This one featured pork tonkatsu and cost Y 1058.

There are triangular sushis everywhere. Carefully follow the directions and the seaweed wraps around the rice. Voila, no soggy seaweed. The trick is figuring out what's inside. Sometimes, there's a little logo in the corner with a picture of a cow, pig or chicken. Sometimes, there's no clue and it's a potluck what you get.

Inari--soybean pocket filled with vinegar-flavored sushi rice. This is always a safe bet. Each was Y86.

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