From Tokyo to SPring-8

So, if today were really Tuesday, this would be posted at the right time. So let's pretend that I'd had internet access then and that I posted this on Tuesday.

So they finally let us free from Hayama! We all got packed into buses and taken to Tokyo train station. From that point, it was up to us to get to our host institutions. I was lucky and there was a Shinkansen super express (which amazingly is not as express as they get) straight to Aioi, the train station closest to SPring-8. The train ride was fine. They had really pretty conductresses? (if it were a plane, they'd be flight attendants) who were selling coffee, bento boxes (lunch boxes), snacks, candies, beer, wine, etc... and all for pretty cheap. I'd bought my lunch at a convenience store before because I thought it would be cheaper. Anyway, I got off at Aioi station.

Wierd Japanese thing of the day: this was at Aioi station.


Leaving Aioi was where the fun began. After this point, it really felt like Myst, or maybe one of those text-based adventure games where you have to solve the puzzles when you don't even know what the puzzles are, much less how they work. Here's kind of how it went:

You wake up, not really knowing where you are. You look down and see that you are holding a bus schedule and the 4:37 bus to SPring-8 is highlighted. You notice that the clock says 4:32. You also notice that you really really need to find a bathroom.

>>look for bathroom

You see lots of kanji.

>>look for sign with guy and girl

It's over there.

>>go over there

For the sake of propriety, we'll skip the discussion of learning to use the porcelain hole-in-the-ground type toilet. Suffice to say, bring tissue with you into the stall.

You go outside and look at the clock. It is now 4:58.

>> check schedule

Your schedule says another bus comes at 5:07.

>> wait

People stare at you until the bus arrives.
get on the bus? y/n

>> y

Take a ticket? y/n

>> n

You sit down on the bus along with several high school students. (Imagine the next part is a movie)

(Okay, even I can't imagine that was a movie, but just go with it)
As the bus continues on its route, you notice that the stops are being displayed at the front of the bus. You also notice that you can't read kanji, except for the occasional (something something) elementary school. Where do you get off?

a.) where the last guy on the bus does
b.) when you start seeing English on the street signs again
c.) first stop after you realize you haven't seen a house for about five minutes
d.) SPring-8 + some more kanji, one of which is possibly the one for gate

>>d

You get off at the bus stop and go up to the kiosk. The guy there does not speak English. In broken Japanese, you tell him you're supposed to call Akiko Kubo. He says he doesn't really understand. You say you don't really understand, either. The guy standing next to you thankfully does speak some English. He escorts you to the user's office.

At the user's office, you meet Akiko Kubo, your boss's secretary and the wonderful person who's been organizing everything for you. She brings you to the guest house after introducing you to the few people left in the lab. You recieve a key card and proceed to room 203.


Put key card in slot? y/n

>>y

The door opens and you enter.
Look for a light switch? y/n

>>y

There is a light switch, but it does not do anything. You notice something else on the wall. There appears to be a slot.

>>get keycard
>>put keyard in slot

The lights turn on! You try to enter the room, but find yourself restrained by your impeccable manners.

>>take shoes off
>>put slippers on


You can enter the room without guilt. You are in room 203. There is a door to your LEFT. You can look RIGHT or STRAIGHT.

>>look right

(you appear to have already put your luggage down.)

>>turn left
>>turn left
>>open door

You see a sink and doors to your RIGHT and LEFT.

>>turn left
>>open door

You again feel dishonorable about entering unless you change slippers. Put slippers on? y/n

>>n
>>turn around
>>open door
>>open door
You are now in the bath room. You have no idea how to use anything.

>>cry

I'm sorry, I don't understand 'cry.' Please use Japanese.

>>exit


I'll explain about the air conditioner (with remote control!), heater, and bathtub later.