Day 52 – Tokyo to Nikko
Today we left Japanize Guesthouse bound for Asakusa Station. Here we walked to the Tobu Skytree Line’s Station which is close by. As we had opted for the cheaper option (I know, suprise, suprise) of the non express train included in the Nikko Pass, we had to find our way to the correct platform. The express train, had a friendly staff counter, who check tickets and direct the customers. The non express customers have to fend for themselves, which isn’t took bad, but we did need to take 3 trains from Tokyo to Nikko so we didn’t want to take the wrong one.
Just a tiny shrine surrounded by massive apartment buildings, in Tokyo 
Tobu Skytree Line Station
Once we boarded the train, we waited on it for a while. After maybe 20-30 minutes, the landscape outside changed from skyscrapers to green fields. It was amazing to see. Also we were fearing the hassle of the 3 trains we needed to take, but in the end, it became the highlight of the day, as the trains were completely synchronised like clock work. All we needed to do was cross the platform to the waiting train. I honestly recommend the cheaper option to Nikko, just so you can experience the amazing train network.
Nikko is a small town around 150km North of Tokyo. After we touched base with the tourist information centre (I love these things), we walked to the guesthouse Sleping Nikko Inari, which was a short walk away, equipped with all the maps we could take. Once we exited the station, we were met with a small town charm surrounded by mountain ranges. We both had hopes that this would be like the Pai of Japan.
One of the spacious trains Nikkoooo
Once there we met the owner, who first appeared a little strange due to the very formal nature as he showed us around the accommodation. Once there, we met two other guys who had also just checked in a few minutes before us, who we got along with very well. One was a French Canadian on his first solo trip and the other was a well seasoned ex-pat Kiwi living and working in the Ski fields in Hokkaido, Japan.
We all ended up going out for dinner together, at what was our first Japanese style restaurant, ie. shoes off and sitting on the cushions on the floor. With lots of help from the Kiwi ski instructor we were able to communicate with the staff and order some food that we typically wouldn’t. As we bonded so well, we were up late planning the few days we had, until the owner came and told us to keep our voices down as guests in the private room were sleeping.
With that we all got ready to sleep.