Yesterday, we left Tokyo and headed out by train to Odawara,... Nebukawa, specifically to stay one night at a Hilton Resort.  Afraid I would miss our stop, I began to worry when the ocean kept getting closer and closer..... and closer. Just when we could almost reach out and touch the water, ... we arrived. A shuttle bus was waiting at the station to take us up on a windy drive up a hill. The view from our room is fantastic and we were upgraded so our room is American size x 3. Two big windows with small balconies that look out onto the ocean which is just like down the hill and across the street. The hotel has a free onsen, so of course, we took advantage of that before dinner yesterday. The water was salty in this one, but still great. There was an indoor hot spring and a small cold water bath and then another small bath outdoors. We tried all 3. : )

This place is set apart from everything else and since were were only staying for one night, we just walked the hotel grounds, which are quite vast and decided to eat the buffet dinner in the hotel. There was a swiss theme at dinner in addition to the japanese food so it really was a treat.  The fondue was probably my least favorite thing. On the other hand, although I am not a big carnivore, the kobe beef accompanied by really sweet white onions was GREAT!

Toilets in Japan are really over the top and come in all kinds. Our toilet in the room has at least 15 controls and comes with heated seats. Now isn't that GREAT? Also, I think this is the first hotel I have ever stayed at that had a Pillow Menu:

1. Memory Form Pillow

2. Hinoki Pillow- Japanese Cypress Chips & Cotton

3. Sobagara Pillow- Buckwheat Husks

4. Cotton Pillow (Allergy Free)

5. Feather Pillow

6. Hard Pillow- Polyester

The Godfather series has been airing on tv for the last couple of days and mom has watched it intensely every day, though I think she is making up her own story of what is happening as the movie goes along. Meanwhile, I missed another episode of 24 : (

Today, we head out to Osaka in the afternoon. We need to make sure we do not miss our train. This is Japan. The train WILL leave ON TIME!