This is a sequel to the first journey that I did using the Seishun-18 earlier this Spring! It has almost become a collector's hobby for me to go on trips during the three available seasons in a year, in spring, summer and winter. I love the autonomy it gives me to plan my travels, exploring places that I have not been to, connecting me to the local lines where I catch glimpses of the countryside. The scenes outside of the train windows unfold and transform as the train winds its way from the countryside into the cities and then back to the countryside again. Travelling in summer also means that you get to see fields and fields of lush greenery, mountains and buckets of sunlight filtering in through the windows. The only downside of using it though is that I have to hop onto the earliest possible train in order to maximise the day's travels, especially when I go on day trips over the weekend and there is the fact that some trains run infrequently on the local lines. Trains operate like magic clockwork in Japan. I have mad respect towards the organisation of the railway systems and schedules as well as the routines performed by the train conductors. There are also the station masters and cleaning crew designated at each station to ensure that things proceed smoothly. Having time to while away while waiting for the next train(s) that will take me to other parts of my journey also made me observe more about the goings-on. I think I can finally understand why some people find comfort in the regularity of watching trains and seeing them pull into the station. Some people take comfort in keeping notes of the train models and series that they have come across, detail them in a train-spotting notebook of some sort. Some people take photographs of the models (like me, who loves their colours), and there are some who enjoy collecting train station stamps (also, like me). Being on the same journey as others using the Seishun-18 has made me feel that I am kind of on a pilgrimage with other 'train pilgrims' on board. You know who they are simply by their behaviour and their actions. You find them at the same places you happen to be at. You notice because they remind you of yourselves. It's funny also because they make you laugh at your own train-spotting adventures. It is simply because there is that secret joy that wells up within you when you see someone else sharing the same hobby as you, isn't it? This time round, my trips centred around Tottori, Hyogo and Okayama Prefectures. I have also included some of the stopover(s) I have made en route on the overnight and day trips. Day 1: Sanda (Hyogo Prefecture) --- Tottori (Tottori Prefecture) Duration: 350 mins, 214.6 km Actual price (without using Seishun-18): 3670¥ Using Seishun-18: 2320¥ Stopover(s): Mount Daisen, Tottori Sand Dunes Overnight trip Day 2: Yonago (Tottori Prefecture) --- Sanda (Hyogo Prefecture) Duration: 400 mins, 307.3 km Actual price (without using Seishun-18): 5500¥ Using Seishun-18: 2320¥ Stopover(s): Yura town (Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory) Overnight trip Day 3: Sanda (Hyogo Prefecture) --- Uno (Okayama Prefecture) Duration: 253 mins, 235.3 km Actual price (without using Seishun-18): ~8000¥ Using Seishun-18: 2320¥ Stopover(s): Naoshima Day trip *From Uno Port, I took a ferry to Naoshima, one of the art islands, where the Setouchi Triennale is taking place this year! Day 4: Kinosaki onsen (Hyogo Prefecture) --- Sanda (Hyogo Prefecture) Duration: 241 mins, 142.3 km Actual price (without using Seishun-18): 2470¥ Using Seishun-18: 2320¥ Stopover(s): Izushi town, Toyooka Overnight trip Day 5: Sanda (Hyogo Prefecture) --- Kojima (Okayama Prefecture) Duration: 250 mins, 250 km Actual price (without using Seishun-18): ~8000¥ Using Seishun-18: 2320¥ Stopover(s): Bizen-Kataoka (South Village), Aioi Day trip **Please note that the duration includes stopover(s) and waiting time at train stations. Figures are rough estimates for easier reference. You know what is the best part of going on trips using the Seishun-18? I thought maybe it was the planning bit, or executing and watching the plans unfold. But I am sure that it is this now in my case: going on the journey for going's sake. ... the silence that reigns inside while the wheels beat in rhythm against the rails outside, the dreaminess in which we seem to stand outside our normal selves and to have access to thoughts and memories that may not arise in more settled circumstances.
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