Shinkansen – Roving Sun

January 2, 2026September 3, 2026

Leaving Nagoya and Japan

Rather then head up to breakfast at the 名古屋マリオットアソシアホテル Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, we did a bit of packing and then went downstairs to queue for ぴよりん Piyorin. They had special 2026 Year of the Horse ones! After eating them all, we visited 矢場とん Yabaton for one last meal in Nagoya before taking the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. We enjoyed the ANA Lounge at Haneda before flying back to the US on United, ending our nearly one month long trip!

December 27, 2025August 28, 2026

Tokoname, the Ancient Pottery City

After checking out of the メルキュール東京羽田エアポート Mercure Tokyo Haneda Airport in the morning, we took the Shinkansen from Shinagawa Station to Nagoya Station and left our bags at the 名古屋マリオットアソシアホテル Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel. We then took the train down to 常滑市 Tokoname, one of Japan’s 六古窯 Six Ancient Kilns. We walked around this historic town, browsed some of the pottery shops, and bought a tea pot before returning to Nagoya.

December 19, 2025August 16, 2026

Nagasaki and Super Mario

After waking up at the ザブラッサム熊本 The Blossom Kumamoto, we checked out and headed over to 長崎 Nagasaki by a combination of Shinkansen and conventional rail. We left our bags at the 長崎マリオット Nagasaki Marriott and visited the 山王神社 Sanno-jinja and its one legged torii, having lost the other leg during the atomic bombing. After, we took the 長崎ロープウェイ Nagasaki Ropeway up to the top of 稲佐山 Inasa-yama for a fantastic view of the city. Next, we took a quick look at the 眼鏡橋 Spectacles Bridge before having a sushi dinner and checking in at the Marriott. Our room ended up being fantastic! In the evening, we took the Shinkansen over to 武雄温泉 Takeo Onsen to ride on the Super Mario train which was operating as the Midori.