Japan - the land which knows how to do highway rest stops right!

Hi all,

Sorry for the lack of communication, but we've been living the Gonzo journalism maxim of living it to write about it. We've just arrived back at the Nagai household (now my second home) in Inami, after a 3-day round trip taking in Shizuoka, Nagoya and Gifu. While only a small trip distance wise in Australian terms, it was still very tiring and hard (even as the designated non-driver). The purpose of the trip was to visit heaps of Satomi's old friends, as well as her uncle. Japanese hospitality certainly came to the fore throughout the entire trip, with myself being welcomed as a part of the family to these complete strangers.

The trip itself was enlightening. Japan has a hugely complicated expressway system linking almost every major town and city. Boasting smooth roads and an impressive array of tunnels throught the mountains, it only came at a hefty price tag. Tolls along the way amounted to 7350 yen (about $75 Australian) one way! And it wasn't even particularly fast, with the gazetted speed limit at 80 for the majority of the trip. But, one thing the Japanese have excelled at is the fine art of the truck stop. No flash in the pan, glorified petrol station every couple of hundred kms here. No way. Every 30kms or so, you are greeted with a veritable smorgasboard of treats of the food variety, as well as every amenity under the sun. It's something that Australia should take note of!

Anyway, this is just a quick spot to update the progress. The next 3 days will be spent around the Nagai homestead as Satomi prepares to leave for ever. Monday night we board the night bus to Osaka, where we spend the day sight-seeing and omiyage buying, before jumping on the plane late Tuesday night.

Suffice to say, this has been one of the most amazing trips of my life so far. But I promise a much more detailed post (whether you like it or not) in the next few days to try to explain how.

Love yas,

Ben and Satomi XOXO