Well my fears were realised last night. Worst nights sleep I've had in a long time. Had the window open and the fan on, but nothing would save me. It was so hot that I was just lying awake most of the night sweating. Dozing off for small periods of time, I never looked at my watch, but it was a long night. I certainly could not describe myself as well rested. I pretty much doze all morning, not even pulling myself up to go to the toilet until after 1, not that I had much liquid to release as I was probably dehydrated after my sweat night. It reminds me of that horrible time in Vienna, at least this time I didn't have to be up early to do travelling. There is no way I'm staying here after tonight, I'll have to look for somewhere else.
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I end up leaving the hostel at 3, after getting a few make shift maps from reception. I need to go for a walk to a 7/11 to get money, so it's about a 20min walk up the street. This part of town does have a much more run down feel to anywhere else I have been in Japan. It's interesting to see the difference. I mean it's about as dangerous as Ward Park on a Sunday afternoon, so I'm not really too concerned. Japan is one of the safest places to travel, I've seen nothing in the way of trouble for the entire month I've been here, that's fairly impressive.
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After I get my money I grab something to eat and hit up the tourist information to get me some maps. At least now I'll have an idea where I'm going. I decide to do the castle even though it's late. I don't have any intention of going inside, just a wander around the gardens to take a look. I hear the inside is all modernised with escalators and so I have no interest in seeing that. With the help of my subway map I get there, though when I come out of the exit marked for the castle there are no signs to it. I'm at a busy junction and so just pick a direction, after a bit of walking I'm not convinced I picked right, so back to where I started. Out with the map and try to find out what way I'm facing. After some more trial and error, turns out I was heading in the right direction, so back up until I see the park in the distance. It is early evening and the sun is shining off the castle as it emerges from the trees. It looks impressive. The park is fairly large and I'm sure it takes me an hour to get to the castle from when I first saw it. As I'm in the park I feel like I have been transported out of the city as I'm surrounded by trees and various moats as I cross over to the castle. It isn't too busy, which I like, due to it being late in the day. I'm able to get right up to the castle, what a price of architecture, a welcome break from the temples and shrines. There is a nice view across the moat and park extending to the city skyscrapers beyond. It's quite a contrast. The atmosphere is a lot different as I'm walking back to the station. It feels like a big city, but where Tokyo felt young and vibrant, here feels old and repressed. It doesn't take away from my walk but it is a noticeable difference.
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I get back to the hostel and am immediately reminded that I want to leave. The common room is a great size with pcs and games consoles and a kitchen to cook your own food. The people are in groups and not so chatty outside their clicks. There is one particularly loud and obnoxious woman who fancies herself as some queen bee figure. Just the type of person I want to be around. With only two showers for about 200 rooms I choose the other option, that is using another hotels public bath. It doesn't cost anything and is just round the corner. When I get there I am the only one, so I take the opportunity to relax in the bath after my walking. I get back up just head up to my room. I get a new hostel booked for tomorrow, it's just round the corner, literally 30 seconds away. Brilliant, no long travelling. Off for another great nights sleep. The last night here thankfully.