Today it was time for somewhere new. I went on a long journey from Kagoshima to Matsue, the water city. So called because it's flanked by two great lakes and the coast. Not to mention a couple of rivers flowing through the middle.

The trip here was spectacular. It was great to travel right past silver mines, huge mountains and wide meandering rivers. The whole scene covered in a thick blanket of snow. It's hard to take a good photo on a moving train!

In the evening I found a nice, little karaoke bar near my hotel. It's a serious pastime here in its homeland. Some came prepared with their own music and lyrics.