Haven’t been much of an early morning start this journey round compared to previous trips where I would get up at 5am to get ready for the early train. It was almost 3 hours to get there from Ueno so I put in the effort this time for the 6:30 train.

Took the Hakutaka bullet train from Ueno to Shin-Takaoka early morning and the station was already buzzing with people.

Hakutaka feels newer and better than the common white NV700 train that takes you to the major cities like Kyoto and Osaka. For one thing, the common areas for washing your hands actually have hand dryers this time! There was also a Granclass carriage, a step up from Green business class which I doubt I’d be willing to spend the money on. Green was good enough for the space already.

Foot rests were also situated underneath your own seat and mechanically controlled with buttons to adjust the height.

Before heading to Takaoka City, I wanted to visit Otogi no Mori Park (Fairy Forest Park) where there was a spot based on the Empty Grounds space Nobita and friends spend their time playing in. It wasn’t that much of a walk from Shin-Takaoka Station. The weather was warmer here than Tokyo 24C instead of 16C but it was cloudy so I didn’t have to bear the blazing sun like the other trips.

Getting there was quite interesting. After the giant Yamada office and factory place, it was just lots of rice fields. The place was fairly much barren; no shops, vending machines and definitely no familiar chain brand places. There was little space marked as a pavement to walk on too so you had to be wary of vehicles driving by.

Soon I reached the park. It was definitely fairy tale themed after its name which pictures of fairy tale story characters painted in places. It also had nice areas of plants too though. When I got there, there were plenty of teachers with the familiar groups of nursery school ages kids out to play.

Play area themed Doraemon statues was pretty special since the Fujio Museum in Kawasaki was different and not often you get to see the setup like this.

I was fortunate enough to have the area to myself for a moment before more people arrived and wanted pictures.

Park was well maintained and had plenty of areas to take a break in. There was even a Doraemon themed learning centre nearby,

Oddly there weren't any signs pointing to where all the Doramon themed spots so they were a bit hard to find. I guess they weren't expecting fans or tourists to travel all the way here to see them.

Next I found the sundial by the play areas. It was still cloudy but for a brief moment, the sun came out! Each number featured a popular gadget so it was pretty cool.

You'll probably have noticed too, the towering glass building nearby. I was wondering if it was open to the public and whether there was a way up. Maybe it was an observation deck since they were so common in Japan. Hadn’t done my research on this one.

I learned it was the "Fairytale Museum" and it ran a lot of activities for kids.

There was a mat to give your shoes a quick brush before going in.

Turns out there was an elevator up to the third floor and you could spend time admiring the various smaller mountains. It was very quiet when I was there.

Maybe because most people didn't know about the observation deck because it wasn't really advertised on the ground floor or entrance. Not being a major tourist spot probably had something to do with it too I guess.

Plenty of people taking photos with Doraemon. Park looks well sectioned from up here, clean and colourful.

American chain Tully's managed to open a branch here just last year. Didn’t notice the sandwich at broccoli in it and it did not taste good. Neither did the iced soya latte…

Always been confused about separating your trash at restaurants and cafes whenever there were only paper and plastic. Finally something to help clear it up! Seems you just put it together with paper as burnable trash can go into it too.

Clear skylines and fields compared to the densely populated major cities. All the open space and fields just feel much different and at ease compared to the big cities.

Major difference with Scotland is you don't need a car to reach these places and, public transport is clean and reliable.

Boys must have fun in this little fortress playground.

I had to take the local train at Shin-Takaoka to reach Takaoka. The train was really old and interestingly enough, there was a cutout of Rui from PA Works Komada Whisky Family movie. So IC cards weren’t really accepted until this year. Fortunate for me then I guess since less dealing with cash or buying separate tickets. It works like Enoden in Enoshima where there aren’t any gates, and you’re expected to tap the correct ticket machine though.

The trains from Shin-Takaoka to Takaoka were sparse too, at an hour per train. There was still half an hour until the next one which was probably why I was the only one there in the waiting room. Bare minimal design kind of reminds me of Takaki reaching the waiting room in 5cm.

There was actually a wanted poster in the waiting area but I’ll spare you the details...

A sign outside warns about getting on the correct train since they can go either way so be sure it shows Takaoka on the sign (not pictured).

By the time it was nearly time for the train, the station was filling up. It was just a 5 – 10 minute train down to the next station so didn’t really need a seat.

Despite the old train, the original Takaoka Station felt a lot bigger and developed than the Shin (New) Takaoka Station. It was bustling with people.

There was already a Doraemon mailbox to greet you at the station.

After arriving at Takaoka, I was looking for the exit where the Doraemon statues were, which turns out to be the North Exit towards Kojo Park. That was the direction where the Fujio Gallery was too.

Think there were a few others looking for the same.

Can’t really say they were particularly special since there are Doraemon statues all around Japan thanks to the show’s popularity. There was even a 100% Doraemon exhibition running in Tokyo where there were a whole bunch of themed ones.

I was going to pass by some local tourist spots on my way to the Fujio Art Gallery here so I thought I’d visit them. You can download an official tourism pamphlet for the area but I think there's only a Japanese one.

Caught sight of the themed tram leaving the station but I was going to walk and wait until I was heading back instead. Don't come on a Wednesday if you want to get on it since it's maintenance day for it apparently.

Along the way you might spot some Fujio characters decorating street signs (although if you're just following Maps to Kojo Park or the museum then you probably won't).

Can you spot Nobita below?

They’re listed in a leaflet which you can find at the official Takaoka City site if you’re interested in hunting them down.

First local tourist spot was the big Buddha statue, one of the three largest in Japan.

Interestingly enough, the Japanese government had tried to push Shinto as the country's main religion during the Meiji Era which lead to violent behaviour towards anything Buddhism related such as temples being burned down. Buddhism survived.

Fun the bits of trivia your learn from light novels, in this case Kijin Gentosho.

Underneath were Buddhism themed paintings on exhibition which feels much like visiting the Buddha statue in Hong Kong. Spot was quite popular.

Oh, it did have something HK didn't. Gachapons and origami cranes.

Kojo [Old Castle] Park itself was pretty nice in a common tourist sight sort of way, filled with familiar shrines, wooden bridges and Torii gates.

Keeping the Japanese phrase for "old castle" in the translations just makes the place sound more exotic, huh? Similar to keeping the foreign words for various foreign food in any country I suppose.

Afterwards, I was trying to find the giant paintbrush which was fortunately marked on Google Maps.

When I reached the area, I was kind of surprised it was within a little zoo and play area. It was free but had donation boxes by the entrance/exits.

I had a look at the paintbrush, thinking it would be decorated with Fujio characters but it was mostly Kappas. There was only Doraemon and Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) on it.

Wasn’t really there for the zoo but I was there so decided to check out what animals they had. They had quite a variety of them despite the small space. Quite liked the colourful flamingos that greeted you near the entrance. There were a few other colourful birds too including peacocks.

Then there were also the more common rabbits and guinea pigs. Personally I liked the penguins which waddled around and swam without a care for the spectators around them. Porcupine and owl was quite a sight too.

Ended up making a donation afterwards and spent quite some time there.

I continued making my way to the Fujio Hometown Gallery which was outside the other side of the park. Building looked quite old compared to the Kawasaki museum. There were barely any signs it was Fujio related other than the odd poster outside it either whereas the museum had a full row of windows showcasing Doraemon related items, so I was a bit uncertain whether I was at the right place.

When I entered, the reception already guessed I was there for the gallery and informed me it was on the second floor if that was what I was after.

I’d already seen the photos and videos by other visitors so I knew what to expect; Doraemon, the Anywhere Door right by the winding stairs. Pretty much hasn't changed but that didn't mean it was any less exciting learning about the history behind what lead to Doraemon and Fujio's other works.

Outside was also a map of the various Doraemon themed attractions around Takaoka including the signs I mentioned earlier.

I actually didn't know about the signs until I visited this place.

500 yen entrance wasn’t much of a fee. It was no photos or video as soon as you entered.

I can’t quite remember everything or the order they were in so I’ll just write from the top of my head.

After entering you’re greeted by a video subtitled English about how Fujio kicked off his career as a comic creator. Apparently he was inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s works before he decided to move to Tokyo and start his career.

Later he started Studio Zero (what a name) to adapt his works into Anime and Qtaro was the first that happened.

When he did his first “long length comic” Nobita and the Dinosaur, it was only at 27 pages. It wasn’t until the point this comic was getting adapted into a movie did he add more to it.

Most of he items on display were old comic books and pages that Fujio worked on. There was also the suitcase he used when he travelled to Tokyo and the camera he used during his travels.

So it’s fairly much a biography of his career, not as kid oriented as the museum in Kawasaki. There were hardly any Fujio Anime decorations on the walls other than a couple of select characters (Doraemon included of course).

There was an original short where you watch all the characters from his work gathering together with Doraemon and Nobita as the main stars though of course. English subbed.

At the end of the exhibit, there’s a very small gift shop and promo for this year’s remake movie. I already have plenty of Doraemon merch from my other visits to Japan so I avoided picking up any more.

I did intend to pick up a gadget guide book this time in Japan so I didn’t have to import. I had looked for it while visiting the Future Department Store in Tokyo but they didn’t have it. They did here! New and wrapped too. Saved me ordering online later.

There were actually some sculptures outside the building that wasn't Fujio related and free to view but they're not very cheery pieces of work.

When I was there anyway.

You get a little elevated view of the area though.

By the time I left it was after school time and the streets were filled with students on their bikes.

I saw the Doraemon themed tram while at Takaoka Station so I wanted to see what it was like inside and save myself the walk back.

There was a stop just outside the Shikinochugakko-mae (Front of Shikino Middle School) but not every tram was Doraemon themed. It was a bit of a wait until it looped back.

Funnily enough, the tram stations are on the middle of the road so you can find yourself wedged between traffic.

Unfortunately it was a bit too busy to take photos now it was after school time. I also didn't want to bother the locals so I did my best to point the camera where hardly anyone sat.

Similar to other themed trains, there's plenty of character art inside.

There was also Doraemon's gadgets with English labels though. Never seen the show in English.

Instead of getting off at Takaoka Station, I stopped at Kanayamachi, the preserved old area of Takaoka where it was renown for its copper item production. It was fairly much 5pm and everything was closing up.

That kind of made easier to take photos and video though.

You'll come across the red brick former Takaoka Bank which was now Toyama Bank. If it reminds you of Tokyo Station then that's because they were both built during the Taisho Era in 1910s when Western influence was having a much bigger impact on daily lives.

Most of the area is fairly much had the same vibes as any part of old Japan; wooden buildings with sliding doors, lanterns etc.

So if you feel like you’ve seen enough of that side of Japan, it might be skippable.

One thing to note, outside of the exhibition and station areas, it’s fairly much been cash only. There are also few vending machines or chain stores and restaurants.

It was quite a walk back to Takaoka Station.

Seeing these tsunami warnings can be pretty unsettling.

I never experienced an earthquake in Japan in previous trips. This time I experienced multiple ones and the first time it can be pretty scary but that'll be for another post.

Originally I had wanted to visit Ameharashi, a coastal area north of Takaoka but the sun was setting and then a 3 hour journey back to Tokyo.

So yes, thought I’d call it a day back to chilly Tokyo. And I was glad I had got the Green Pass because the platform at Shin-Takaoka for the Hakutaka was packed when I got there.

Thought I’d drop by Akiba for dinner so took a walk around while most of the maids were finished for the day. Quieter and no complaints about cameras.

Well, kind of... It's filled with noisy bikes and people showing off their cars that aren't pop culture related at all these days. Or should I say nights?

Atre's collab was with Gakuen Idolmaster now. Wasn't familiar with this new series, only the original. Really enjoyed the early games that had a mix of idol management and mini games.

There was also a Heavens Burn x Persona Royal. I think everything just collabs with Persona 5 to get extra exposure.

Returned to the Taiwanese place, Shao Yan Chun (小陽春) in Akiba’s Yodobashi food court again because I quite enjoyed their Chicken Rice.

Other areas feel more orderly than Akiba at night now really. Quite enjoy the late night walks back to base. Same brand of conbini close to each other is common but two Family Marts across from each other…?

Can’t remember if there’s “Green” Cola in the UK so thought I’d try it. It’s basically coke with a plant based sweetener instead of the risky kind.

Think you'd have to start really early if you're watching 1600 episodes of Doraemon. Not even Jump shows like the entire Dragon Ball series is that long although One Piece is kind of closing that mark.

Looking forward to reading through this!