Most bullet trains rocket through Atami station without stopping, and in fact four did this during the half hour or so I waited for my train today.

Once I got on I was the only person in the ‘green’ (first class) car. I noticed the other cars were quite full and to be honest the benefits of first class were all but irrelevant considering the journey to Tokyo was only slightly over 40 minutes.

Regardless the trip was extremely pleasant and I enjoyed the rainy views. I ate my hog sandwich and wondered where I was going to get the energy to keep up my pace for another five days.

I arrived too early to check in so I went to Nakano mall to visit the increasing number of dedicated Mandarake stores. I saw many amazing things – some you’ll see on posts this week – but the tokusatsu store ‘Gallery of Hakama’ was having a Ultraman Tiga 30th anniversary event and had a bunch of props on display, including one of the filming suits for Dark Tiga. There were a lot of people here to see the displays (and buy the merch) since Tiga is one of the most popular Ultra series. Those that watched it live are not young any more 🙂

I’m staying in the same hotel (the check-in girls remembered me!) and Maron, the hotel robot, was so happy to see me she did a pirouette! One of the first things I did was laundry and she came in with me and watched. It’s very easy to put a personality on her, and when she looks at me with those dewy eyes it’s difficult to walk away.

This week I’ve got no plans other than shopping, packing, then more shopping. I want to fill every possible spot in the luggage, and this takes time and effort. Will I go crazy and need a break? Perhaps. But if I do I currently have no idea what form that break may take…