Our biggest breakfast buffet yet - I lost count of the number of courses we went back for. I didn't try the soup machine but the coffee machine produced a reasonable latte (coffee is not a Japanese strength).
Having repacked and weighed our bags ready for check in we headed for our final destination - Jozenkei - an onsen town with a gorge which is stunning in autumn and is lush in the summer.
A quick look at the local damn before driving on to return our car, with an impromptu quick stop at a waterfall along the way.
Caught up in the efficiency of the car rental worker, I was about to hop in his van to be dropped at the airport when I remembered the waist bag I had hidden under the front seat of our car - which was a good thing because weren't going anywhere without our passports!
On the way he told us about the local fisherman who disappeared last month in the north east. When his companion spotted a bear with a boot hanging out of its mouth, a search was begun, a bear was shot, and a human head was found nearby. No, we weren't hiking anywhere near that area, and we took bear bells, but I told him I was glad he was telling me to story at the end of our trip rather than at the beginning!
The restaurants and shops at the airport were amazing- including shops just for milk (a Hokkaido speciality), Pokemon and Ainu goods. And the lady at the information booth helped us find what our eyes had been scouring every vending machine since our first day in Hokkaido - limited edition Hokkaido coke bottles.
A short and smooth flight and we were back at Narita airport in Tokyo - with the terminal and food court now looking familiar. What a contrast of feelings - excitement (and post-motion sickness) then, thankfulness and sadness now.
We explored the bookshop and discovered how books are packaged in Japan - every paperback volumes the same height, depth and width.
Here's the entire 7 book Harry Potter series as 20 paperback volumes.
Yet more culinary exoploration for dinner, including our final vending machine purchase with our last coins - ice cream for adults (or anyone) packaged as for toddlers.
Japan - such a fabulous country to visit, and such a joy to do it together. Sad to be leaving, but looking forward to seeing everyone again.
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