Kumamoto Streetcars


I remember doing some research of Kumamoto and there was a suggestion to use the Streetcars/trams.   Official website: Getting Around Kumamoto

Part of my trips to Japan is to experience their transport system as it is one of the best in the world.

 

After getting out of Kumamoto station, the East exit will bring you to a location to jump on the streetcar (as they are called there). 

 

There was a flat fee, I think 170 yen, each way (for an adult). I had Suica, so I just tapped when entering and exiting. I didn’t realize that there was an all day pass for 500 Yen.

I would have grabbed that.

 

From what I gather, you want to enter the back and exit the front (but that depends on which type of street car).

There are 2 lines, A and B, and go to different locations.

 

 

I was still trying to figure out how to get to Hanabatacho station (shopping streets). There are a few different trams. I rode a few to get a feel for them going one way and the other (I also jumped on the wrong line on the way back to Kumamoto station).

 

 

This one was kinda interesting and was also the one I took. It was really a luxury tram!

This thing was like a diner tram!

 

A couple of the trams had wood flooring.

 

Some of the platforms/stops cater to both lines, make sure you get on the right one!

 

Pretty convenient to use! Either an IC or 1 day pass is good, with the pass being worth it if you are gonna use it for a few stops.

 

Osaka River Cruise


My wife really wanted to do the River cruise. I believe during the night is when people really want to do them, but I didn’t mind it being day time.

The host was pretty cool and was filled with information and history.

Kyoto Station Escalator Mountain


Kyoto station is one of my favorites. It is awesomely tall. In 2016, I didn’t explore it as much as I wanted to.

One side of Kyoto station goes all the way up. I didn’t know, so I didn’t go up all the way. I later find out it goes up to even go outside on top!!!

It can be decieving if you don’t know.

 

 

At the halfway point, there is a theatre!

 

Going even further up, is the Sky Garden

 

Final Night in Akihabara


After getting back from Nakano Broadway, we had to do some shopping and Akihabara was the spot we went to.

We came upon a bunch of anime plastered cars and I talked to a few people about their cars. I took pictures of Jacob in front of them too.

 

Nakano Broadway


We then decided to go to Nakano Broadway, this is where there are tons of stuff. We jumped on the Saikyo line to Shinjuku Station, then got on the Chuo line to Nakano Station.

It was a long walk through a covered shopping street. Then I saw the sign!

The ground level floor had clothes and supermarket and food. I thought I might have gotten Nakano Broadway wrong (it is suppose to be the better alternative to Akihabara). Then we started seeing all the shops!!! Robot Robot, Elf, Mandarake… I couldn’t believe my eyes!!!

Okay.. that was dope. I started to go to the other side of the floor and that is when my heart started to pound!!! M.U.S.C.L.E and Battle Beasts… Old skool Tomicas…

Sunshine city Pokemon Center


I didn’t take many pictures because this place was too packed.

There was a huge line to get in and check out.

 

So not only was it Oban Festival and Mountain day (national holidays for Japan), but it was Pokemon Festival too.

All the times I’ve seen Pokemon Centers, they have always been busy… this day, it was extreme!!!

 

47 Ronin Gravesite


I had waken up earlier to pack a few things and map out where to go.

I wanted to visit the Sengaku-ji Temple. This is the place where the 47 Ronin and their master are buried. If you don’t know the history of the 47 Ronin, it is about loyalty and gruesome revenge.

47 Ronin history


We arrived and Sengaku-ji Station and walked about a block to the temple. I took time to read many of the signs. It was really interesting.