Bye bye Kyoto and onward to Hiroshima on the Hikari bullet trains. These are slightly slower than the Nozomi but we can use these with the JR Pass we bought in the UK.

We took a brief 15 min train out of Kyoto to Osaka then changed to the current train for approx 1hr 26 (Japan doesn’t do approximate times!)

Posted by YourTourGuideChick

Sat on the train we are watching the skies darken as the weather gets stormy. It has been so hot and humid in the last two days that you might as well have just stepped into another hot shower once you go outside. A good thunderstorm may help lighten the temperature a bit.

Still, we are looking forward to Hiroshima and a restful night in a Ryoken. Ryokans spoil you – they make your bed up, bring food and drink and almost put you to bed and tuck you in.

Tomorrow we will meet up with our volunteer guide Masato-San who will wander with us as we explore Hiroshima a little.

Unfortunately we are slightly later than planned to Hiroshima due to busy trains, so this evening is a pleasant chance to stop, chill and rest with perhaps a stroll to see the paper cranes in the park.