Hamamatsu

Yesterday I went to Hamamatsu after class.  I took a train from Okazaki to Toyohashi, then another to Hamamatsu.  There is a shinkansen from Toyohashi, but I just took a regular train.  The whole trip took about an hour.

It was raining, though, so the camera didn't leave my backpack.  I hope to come back to Hamamatsu on a nicer day to see the castle and seashore.

I went to Shikisado, which has lots of traditional Japanese craft items.  There were lots of chopsticks, lacquer bowls as well as handkerchiefs, towels and bags with Japanese motifs.  There is also a tea shop inside.  It's a good place for souvenirs because it's not kitschy.

Then I went to Bungu Box, a pen shop that's well-known on the internet.  I was stunned by how small the store was -- about two people could fit inside.

They say that you can't buy happiness, but I did: