'Miyako'

I sometimes think that the trains I enjoy most in Japan are those third or fourth 'rankers' that nevertheless offer some immaculate operation. Like this one for example.

This is the 'Miyako' ('Capital') half hourly service form Kyoto down to Nara, two former capitals of ancient Japan. It is a 'kaisoku' (limited stop) service taking about 50 minutes for the thirty mile trip. No great speed - but with most of the route single line and an 'all-stations' service to 'dodge around' in various loops together with six intermediate stops to make and several 'meets' with trains coming the other way - you'll appreciate that it needs to the second timing to make the service work.

These JR West Japan units offer a lovely view to 'gricers' too - you can follow every inch of the way as if you were sitting in the pssenger seat of a car.

High in the Sky

Kyoto Station is a pretty spectaclar building and I feel a certain sense of affinity with it as it was opened the week we visited the city on my very first trip to Japan in 1997. Ten years ago now almost to the day. In fact somewhere in Lancashire we have a even have a souvenir fan we were presented with as we hurried through the barrier on that day looking for the express to Kanazawa ...

Here is the bit that is far from the trains ... which are down to the right from here. Straight ahead down all those distant and dizzying escalators - this is no place for vertigo sufferers - is the main concourse where you buy your tickets and then underground beneath that a shopping centre and the subway platforms. The building to the right here is a department store, and the other end of the station on the upper floors is a large modern hotel. Contemporary architecture at its most impressive...

Most bigger Japanese stations are modern and exceptionally clean and well run but Kyoto is something special even for here. It is a building that is a pleasure to use even when you aren't down on the platforms gricing.

Ready to Roll

A busy couple of weeks - my daughter Julia and her friend has been here and we've travelled a lot.But after a trip down to Kansai I left them to travel down to Hiroshima on their own and caught Nozomi Train 26 back up from Kyoto. I fancy putting my feet up for a day or two ...

I'd carefully planned my return time to get a trip on a Series 500 shinkansen at last but with a reservation in Car 13 I should have known better. When the train rolled in at 15:08 it was a substitute 700 series so I still have to fulfil my dearest wish in terms of Japanese train travel.

Here we go ... the train just rolled in frm Okayama and just one minute for passengers to get aboard before the doors close. The platform controller is already blowing his whistle and waving a white gloved finger. In a few minutes we'll be streaking along the south side of Lake Biwa at 180 mph. Nothing like the 'shink' for the sheer experience of noise and speed