On the way back from Hakuba, we stopped briefly in Matsumoto. We had one hour, so we shoved our luggage into a coin locker and briskly walked to Matsumoto Castle. It was pretty amazing looking, but we didn’t have time to go inside, so it was back to the train station, where I picked up this Matsumoto Kitty. Apparently Matsumoto is famous for apples. Apparently.

Heading North Towards Hokkaido we stopped VERY briefly at Hachinohe to change trains. Risking missing my connecting train I just had to check out the Kitty’s on offer. In my hasty decision I grabbed this one (another Apple one!) only later realising it was actually a Kitty from Aomori NOT Hachinohe. Disappointing.

This next Kitty is one of my faves. After making it onto the connecting train in Hachinohe, going through the Seikan tunnel (which goes underneath the ocean) we arrived in Hakodate. There was another very quick train change, so quick I did not have time to look for Kitty’s. BUT on this train there was a special Kitty available. On Japanese trains they have a food service lady(or man) that pushes a cart up and down the isles selling you food. Now the one on this particular train is known as the “Twinkle Lady”. Hilarious for many a reason, but I digress, there was a “Twinkle Lady” Hello Kitty!!!! Very exciting – and here she is.

I haven’t even opened the package of the Twinkle Lady Kitty because it’s just too awesome.