I’m sitting in a Lawson with my large black coffee. One thing I notice here is the volume of cyclists in comparison to everywhere so far. Everyone is on a bike, peddling down the little side streets and long narrow covered malls. I remember why I like this city so much, these narrow streets with tons of overhanging wires fascinate me, with quirky little shops selling all kinds of stuff.
I dip into a small supermarket to pick up shaving stuff that I couldn’t bring into the plane ten days ago. Having used my mini electric to rid myself of an annoying, greying beard, the job needs finishing. One protein bar and apple strudel added to the bill! I think this is a more affordable city, or maybe I’m just in the suburbs. I get my laundry done across the road, seems pretty reasonable. In the evening I relax with a couple of (ok, four) beers from the vending machine in the hostel, I notice the young people all around me a drinking what appears to be the Japanese equivalent of Berocca! How times change. I’m glad I spent my late teens and twenties in the 90s.
I worked out today that my rail pass will have paid for itself after tomorrow when I head to Kokura on the southern island.