Bullet Trains, Nagoya, LegoLand, and Nagoya Castle

I don't know a kid who isn't wowed when a bullet train roars by, especially when he or she is standing on a station platform. The sleek nose of the train, the noise, the buffeting wind, and the sheer speed all combine to make it an awesome sight. Mimi and Kuri were bouncing up and down when our shinkansen (bullet train) arrived to take us to Nagoya.

On the inside, that sense of speed and granduer is greatly diminished. Riding the Shinkansen is comfortable and quiet, providing little evidence other than the blurred landscape to the speed. When you get on, all the seats are facing in the direction of travel.

However, if you're traveling with a large party, and you're lucky enough to find a group of seats in the unreserved section (it's cheaper), you can turn one set around to face the other. This isn't just a quirk. The shinkansen trains don't turn around. Once they reach their terminal destination, they simply just go off again in the opposite direction, with the seats changing direction.

Traveling south to Nagoya (about 2 hours south of Tokyo via shinkansen) allows for an awesome view of Mount Fuji. Fuji stays in the background as you move through semi-industrial sites (with a graveyard in the foreground)...

...and on into tea fields. Traveling on the Shinkansen is a excellent way to discover just how varied the landscape of Japan can be. It hardly all just cities.

Arriving in Nagoya we sought out our hotel, again by rail (subway). With three kids and a massive suitcase, I would've preferred a taxi, but we eventually made it. We stayed at the Tokyu hotel, which provided us with a massive (for Japan) room.

Freed of our suitcases, we decided to hit the city for a little dinner and shopping. Kuri came across an awesome Rolls Royce just outside the lobby.

As we walked the streets we marveled at the light show.

And attempted to create Abbey Road, only with three kids - Japan style.

We stopped off for dinner at an omrice shop (an omelet filled with rice). Omrice is a family favorite which we make at home, but something you really can't find almost anywhere in the states.

Getting around Nagoya was pretty easy once we figured out the massive, sprawling, underground stations (well, kind of figured out). Throughout the trip, Kuri insisted on holding on to his own rail ticket. Amazingly, he didn't lose a single one. 

Mimi liked to lead us to the trains and was charged with always finding us (or at least herself) a seat.

Later that first night we sought out one of my favorite Japanese stores: Hard Off. This shop specializes in used electronics, games, and toys. Like it's sibling Book Off, there are great deals to be had and amazing items to find that you'll never come across in the states.

We ended up getting Mimi and Kuri each a Nintendo DS and a few games, several of which will help them study Japanese. Yes, I know the DS is about 10 years old, but being able to pick up absolutely mint machines for fifteen bucks each, I simply couldn't resist.

Early the next morning we set off for Lego Land. After a 20 minute trip, we arrived at the station, facing only a short five minute walk to the park. There was even a giant slide down from the elevated walkway for those adventurous enough to try it.

Before we knew it, we were before the gates of LegoLand, Japan. None of us has been to LegoLand before, in the states or otherwise, so this was a big treat.

Mimi and Kuri loved the submarine ride...

...complete with both real and Lego fish.

The airplane ride was quite a bit of fun. Much like Kuri's favorite race car ride at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This ride clearly showed one key difference between my kids and most native Japanese children. My kids love to scream!

There was a boat adventure, complete with water guns (great for summer, but maybe not idea for November)...

...and lots of child-sized Lego mock-ups for the kids to explore.

The kids even got to meet Emmet.

Kuri got to spend some time building on his own...

...and wasn't shy about celebrating his creation.

The favorite section of the park for the parents, by far, was the mini land, chock full of amazing recreations of Japanese cities and famous sites.

Here's a nice shot of Tokyo...

...complete with bullet train. I genuinely wish that they'd offer kits for some of these specialized creations. The cars, and particularly the trains, were so unique, so authentic. It's a shame they're not available - Lego would've taken quite a bit of my money had they been.

This was my favorite shot from the mini land. At first glance, it looks almost real.

While the kids enjoyed the mini land, they're favorite attractions - by a country mile - were the driving academies. Mimi was able to take part in the main academy - driving on her own through a massive mock-up of streets and highways, complete with intersections and stoplights.

Kuri also got to drive on his own at the Jr. Driving School, though it was only around a small oval. This proved a bit of a revelation for me as I watched him set up racing lines through the corners and overtake on the straights. I'm not kidding. He really did take a racing line! I guess all those rides in the Porsche are having an impact.

After Legoland, we headed back to Nagoya and went out to a restaurant famous for wings close to our hotel. It had been a long day and Papa needed chicken and beer.

The next morning, our final day in Nagoya, we headed north a few stops to check out Nagoya Castle.

Papa, Mimi, and Kuri explored the castle as Mama and Mari (who had passed out in her stroller) hung out down below.

I think the primary take-away for the kids at the castle was the walls that surrounded and supported it. Built of massive bricks, and slotted together without any real mortar, there were a marvel to behold.

Well, OK, let me be honest. The biggest take-away from the castle for the kids was the "Soft Ice," or soft-serve ice cream. I have no idea why, but this is so much better in Japan than in the states - simultaneously creamier and lighter. When asked about their favorite part of the castle visit, Mimi and Kuri both replied, "Ice cream!"

After Nagoya Castle, we picked up our bags from the hotel and boarded the shinkansen once again for the last major event of our Japan adventure: a stay at a Japanese hot spring hotel (onsen). Stay tuned for the last chapter early next week!