Today I checked out of the Unizo Hotel. It was very good to start and I leave Tokyo with a heavy heart because I liked it very much. Despite the spa or onsen visit last night, I was able to sleep very well. Today I went to Nikko and thereby to a stark difference to Tokyo. Much smaller and much more peaceful is everything in comparison to the largest city in the world. And for that, I have to go to the train today. First of all, there is a lot of hustle and bustle at the train station today, everyone wants to enjoy their days off and go away. Luckily, I reserved the tickets beforehand so that I don't have to stand in line for 1 hour in front of the counter. And then you go up and realize that there is no disorder here, but clear principles. There are specific sections for each train, and where you want to get on, you stand in two lines. First and second section or CLASS. Then the train rolls into the tracks, always punctually (last year there was a big wave of layoffs at the train company in
Japan because all trains were a total of 8 minutes late - the German Railway Company could do that with just one train) and then a cleaning crew goes through the entire train within 3 minutes, and after that, you quickly find your seat or friendly train attendants help you. A very pleasant travel experience. Then you take out your bento box (a small box with many different meals inside) that you bought for little money and start enjoying the too short journey. You are not checked during the journey because you already went through a checkpoint when buying the ticket, so you can enjoy the beautiful train ride of 300 km without interruption. Everything is perfectly clean, and if there is a stain on the floor, it is immediately wiped away by a friendly man. Every time the conductor, who is always responsible for pleasant conversations, leaves a car, he bows and thanks. Wow. That's how train travel is a lot of fun. Then I went from Utsunomiya to Nikko, and when I arrived at the Hotel.In in Nikko, I immediately noticed what fresh air can do. I had become a bit tired from the train ride, and the trip to Nikko was more like falling asleep because it was so bumpy, but then I got off the train and, like in Psalm 121, I lifted my eyes to the mountains. Nikko is completely surrounded by forests and mountains, fresh air blows into my airways, and I can breathe and arrive here, as the hotel is only 5 minutes away from the train station, which is actually a shame because I have to explore Nikko on my feet. The hotel staff are very friendly again, and because I come from Germany and have such a long journey behind me, breakfast, which normally costs 20 € per day, costs me 0 €. I think that is typically Japanese, domo arigato, I say from my heart. Now I will rest a little, and later I will explore the city and tomorrow's visit to the World Heritage site, the monastery, is planned. I look forward to exploring the city later.