8/4/2005 11am local. I just left Hakata after storing my big pack in a coin locker. The locker was needed as I forgot to reserve an extra night in Hakata after my plans changed. Tonight I'll be staying on Honshu, in Shin-Yamaguchi, about an hour east from Hakata. I'm now headed south to Komagawa, where I will change trains and head an hour east to Mnt. Aso. I really like this train, the Tsubaame Relay. It's not shinkansen fast, but the Green car is swank, and the AC is cold. After a trip to the top of the Naka-date crater (by cable car) I'll backtrack to Hakata and then head to Shin-Yamaguchi and my hotel (another Toyoko Inn.) I hope to be checked in by 8pm. The last few days have been physically brutal, so an easy day would be nice. About the change of plans... I had intended to visit Hiroshima. Saturday is the 60th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack on the city. But while shopping in Teinjin I happened down a corridor with pictures and stories of the aftermath. It made me so uncomfortable to be among so many Japanese looking at the photos. I almost felt personally responsible. I don't deal well with guilt deserved or not so I'm not going to go visit. That freed up yesterday in Hakata for some shopping, and a trip to Noko-shima island.