Sleek lines and cool colors on this Hayate Shinkansen at Tokyo Station. I wonder who gets to choose the paint colors?

Ticket gate at Tokyo Station.

A few of the schedule boards in the lower area of Tokyo Station before going up to the platform. There are about 30 platforms at Tokyo Station (for all trains, not just Shinakansen) so you have to check carefully which one you need to go to.

Taking a look at the Shinkansen schedule to Akita. I am catching the Komachi train.

Platform 23 is where my train is leaving from today. Start of an Akita adventure.

Heading up the escalator at Tokyo Station.

Coming up on to the platform the train timetable is shown clearly. Can you spot my train on the board?

There are lots of places to buy bento and drinks on the platform. This was one of the kiosks selling bento. It is strange how once people board the train, the first thing they do is break open the bento box and start eating. Everyone in the carriage started eating at the same time, almost like a ritual dining session.

Great shape on the nosecone here. Pity the barriers make it hard to get a good photograph. The Yamanote Line in Tokyo will be introducing barriers at all stations over the next few years also.

The double decker MAX train. Love that yellow strip down the middle section.

Looking back down the platform as the MAX and Hayate trains make a stop at Tokyo Station.

Once out of Tokyo, we made a few stops including this one at Sendai Station. I was going to jump out, but didn't want to risk being left behind. Once you get out of Tokyo the announcements on the platform for trains departing don't seem to have the same consistency. Sometimes the doors seem to just shut and the train leave without any announcements at all.

The scenery outside the window is quite peaceful although looks a little cold.

We stopped here for a while so I decided to get off and take a few shots. The whole trip took 4 hours one way, so it was nice to stretch the legs a bit and breath in some fresh air.

You don't see any of these mini snow mobiles at Tokyo Station, but here in the country areas this machinery probably gets a lot of use. Luckily today, it is bright sunshine and no snow on the platform.

Great exhibit awaiting passengers here at Tazawako Station. This was another stop the train made before we got to Oomagari, where I changed to the local line for Yokote.

I imagine when it snows here, it can get really deep. I was glad to be passing by Tazawako on a sunny day.

A lake I think with snow around. Would be nice to jump off and take some photos around this area.

Kakunodate Station, just another stop on the way.

The welcoming committee at Yokote Station letting all passengers know they had arrived at the home city for Kamakura and Yokote Yakisoba. Welcome! Welcome!

Nice to see some snow between the tracks, but the platform perfectly cleared. Coupled with the sunny weather, this was a great scene.

Older style architecture for this pass over bridge. The snow running underneath gives it a soft touch.

Yokote Station, Akita-ken

One of the signs and decorations at the station promoting Yokote. Anyone know this character?

Really liked this cute kamakura sign. Last stop for this JR line, kamakura is waiting for you.

Quite a different feel to Tokyo Station here at the local Yokote Station. The board still gives good information, but if y9ou look at the clock and then the board, you will see it is 1 hour's wait before the next train.

A kamakura decoration on top of the post box outside the station.

A small kamakura that had been built in front of the hotel.