9:37am:

We’re on a train bound for Kobe after a quick transfer. We’re making plans to go to Himeji Castle tomorrow – the Japanese teacher that Alex works with at the high school is a volunteer tour guide at the castle and has done so for maybe 20 years. In Kobe we’re planning to visit a huge garden, the Chinatown in Kobe, and a particular Ramen shop. One thing I’ve found out is that clothes dryers are relatively uncommon here. So a given feature of the human landscape is clothes drying on balconies. This seems to be seen in a large minority of any apartments you happen to see at any one time as well as in homes – though they’re harder to spot for houses.