After Kyoto, it was making base in Yonago because it was closest to Sakaiminato and Izumo. I had wanted to visit Shigeru Road and the Kitaro author's hometown since my first trip to Japan but the distance from Tokyo seemed too daunting at the time.

As far as hotel choice was concerned in Yonago, either you go cheap with Toyoko or you chose a place where every buffet dish was served to you by someone. I did not enjoy the latter so I chose to go with the former.

There has been a lot of news about over-tourism everywhere and Kyoto has been one of them. Guess that’s why there’s all these English etiquette posters up.

No direct trains to Yonago so I had to take a train to Okayama first. Other option was to take a plane there but I’d rather go by train without the security checks. Not to mention I’d have to check in a suitcase unless I used the next day luggage delivery service.

Mains plug coming in handy already.

There was some time before the Yakumo train to Yonago so I managed to find a nice rest area to have a snack.

And while there are bins to throw trash in too.

Pretty nice livery with clouds matching the name.

Yakumo train was pretty standard in the main Green carriage.

There was another Green carriage that had table seats for 4 with lamps on them. Looked pretty cool.

Some nice sculptures once you exit the station. Wasn’t very fun rolling my suitcase along the uneven ground though.

After checking into Eki-Mae Toyoko Inn, I was quite eager to visit Shigeru Mizuki Road while it was dark.

I didn’t know the trains from Yonago were hourly so I ended up taking the 3^rd last train there which also took around an hour.

Guess I didn't do enough research.

Yonago Station already had plenty of Youkai related statues and decor around the platform. Statues were pretty rough.

As soon as you got on the train, announcements are voiced by the Anime cast for Neko Musume, Kitaro and his dad Medama Oyaji.Inside, seats had photo spots giving hints at how to pose.

Every stop between Yonago and Sakaiminato had a sign introducing a different Yokai too.

There is actually a separate train fee you have to pay not covered by JR but you can use your IC card to pay it. It’s probably also why the Gegege no Kitaro themed train track was on the other end of the station.

Street lamps were Medama Oyaji and if you waited long enough you can see them blinking and dimming.

Seems there's 5 different trains themed after the Kitaro gang.

Author Shigeru Mizuki himself gets a statue right outside the station.

Kitaro at an International Youkai Summit.

Pretty cute playground, fairly much like Kitaro Park in Chofu. Obviously they didn't spend much on the statues and kept them simple since they're very likely to be damaged.

First Youkai statue I came across that wasn't part of the Kitaro gang was Ubume (姑獲鳥), a woman who died during childbirth but in the form of what looks like a bird here. Since turning Youkai she often takes on the form of a human female and abduct children during the night.

It was quiet but still quite a lot of people walking around in the dark. Mostly natives, no foreigners in sight or foreign languages heard. It felt more Christmasy than creepy with it's either neutral or colourful lighting...

Youkai spotlights on the ground felt kind of out-of-place although I think it would be cheaper than getting stone carved and maintained.

Shigeru Road was filled with really well crafted statues but unfortunately, most of them were poorly lit.

It was a bit of a rush because I wasn’t going to miss the last train back but it was a nice quiet walk.

There are the odd gimmicks that Kitaro fans should recognise but no jump scares. Just some interesting vibes (for kids mostly). There was a spot where you clapped your hand to activate a lighting effect during the night.

Manholes aren't neglected from aesthetics as usual.

Ittan-Momen is dubbed like a really fine gentleman in the Cantonese dub so I was surprised he's actually your pervy old man trope in the newer shows. Not sure if he's the same in the older seasons I watched.

Can't forget how Neko Musume [Cat Girl] has been given a moe make over in the millenial version of the show.

I think they could have kept her that way although anything to keep the business going...

I think one of the great things about Japan is how quiet it can be and at the same time, how safe it feels at night.

The excessive formalities and rules might feel superficial even to natives but it certainly keeps order.

It was pretty chilly during the night in mid-May but doubt it affects the Kappas.

Looks like I was getting the Nezumi Otoko [Rat Man] train back.

It’s pretty crazy there are stops in between which look like they’re in the middle of no where and there are still people getting on and off from them.

There are a lot of special offers for students around Japan.

I guess UK isn't much different but 50 yen for a bowl of ramen is really cheap. Ignoring the exchange rate, it's like paying 50p!

Well for me, it was well past 11pm by the time I was back so first night in Yonago was a Bento from the station conbini.

Maybe I'll cover the entire Shigeru Road on my day visit.