6:18pm local time Oh, dear lord... another 3 hours on a train. At least I was smart enough to eat before getting a reservation. I didn't think it could get hotter or more humid, but Tokyo terminal and especially trackside were as hot as... my ass, I suppose. I bought some more iced tea (by Kirin, it's the best iced tea I've ever had) from a kiosk just to briefly bathe in it's air conditioning. I'm on the Hikari SuperExpress train toward Shin-Osaka... I'm getting off at the next to last stop, Kyoto. This line is along part of the original shinkansen line, and at least so far it is not nearly as smooth as the newer Tohoku line that runs north. If it wasn't for the constant haze I'd be seeing some impressive scenery. Mountains looming in the distance, a neighborhoods crammed into every nook and cranny in the hills near the tracks. I've given up trying to photograph them from the train. Each time I'm ready we're in a tunnel... When I'm not it's only a brief glimpse of a picture postcard view. It is now close to 7pm and its getting quite dark. No DST, so no long summer nights like I'm used to. There is a couple seated across from me enjoying a bento box together... Watching them is making me a little heartsick as I know if my wife was along we'd be having a good time too. 6 more days to go...