A quick tour of Tottori, Japan and return to Singapore !

As I alighted from the ferry in Sakaiminato, Japan, my mega trip is coming to an end. From this little town, my plan was to take a train to visit the city of Tottori, then a limited express train to Osaka where I'll be catching my AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur and then back to Singapore.

The train ticket from Tottori to Osaka doesn't come cheap. As a tourist visiting Japan, it is always worthwhile to purchase the JR pass. But since I was only passing by Japan on this trip, so I just bought a single train ticket.

A nicely decorated train!

Another train decked out in detective conan 😀

Tottori train station

Tottori floral clock. Reminds me of the one in Kobe, also in Japan.

Walking around the small city of Tottori

With that, it is the end of my June trip review. A very fascinating and fulfilling tour!

Review of DBS ferry from Vladivostok, Russia to Donghae, South Korea to Sakaiminato, Japan

On the day I arrived in Vladivostok, Russia on the Trans-Siberia railway, DBS ferry happens to have weekly sailing from Russia to South Korea and onward to Japan starting on the same day.

The 2 nights ferry ride wasn't exactly cheap, but it offers a unique way of travelling to Japan. There is a website featuring the ferry ride, but booking and confirming the tickets involve sending emails to the DBS ferry staff.

Once payment is done online, I received and printed the e-ticket for the ferry ride. In Vladivostok, the ferry terminal is conveniently located next to the railway station. Since I had a few hours between arriving on the train and departing on the ferry, this gave me the chance to walk around and explore Vladivostok, including purchasing some cheap souvenirs from the local supermarket with very friendly and helpful staff.

On the ferry

There is a Zesta Bar selling food and beverages

A snack shop and a souvenir shop

Some interesting displays

 

Cruising on the sea

Stopping in Donghae, South Korea for a few hours

I took the chance to disembark and wander around the town of Donghae

Lunch at a local eatery

Initially, I was booked and assigned a bunk bed in third class, which is basically a big room containing many double bunk beds. After the stopover in Donghae, I was fortunately reassigned to second class cabin with eight bunk beds in a room. There was a washbasin in the room. Toilets and shower facility is shared at another part of the ferry, similar to third class.

Leaving Donghae, South Korea

Dinner, with a seaview, on the ferry

The ferry arrived in Sakaiminato, Japan after two nights, right on time. In all, the ferry had basic amenities, though it wasn't equipped with much entertainment amenities compared to big cruise ships. Still, it was a fascinating experience to travel on this ferry between Russia, South Korea and Japan.

Review of the Tran Siberia Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok

The Trans Siberia Railway is a famed railway for many travellers, for being one of the longest railway line in the world and the scenic journey it provides. Starting from Moscow, the train takes about seven days to traverse Siberia, Russia's hinterland. The more touristic train will then travel past Mongolia towards Beijing, China. The less touristic train will simply head towards Vladivostok, Russia's far eastern city.



This June, I had the opportunity to travel on the less touristic train. Most, if not all, of the train's passengers were Russians travelling domestically.

Each train carriage had two friendly attendants to care for its passengers, one working in the day and the other at night, round the clock. Neither they nor any other passengers speak English, but I get by on sign language. Haha!

On the train, my 'home' for seven days!

Varied scenery on the journey

Russian train station

My second class cabin

Russian train locomotive

A second class ticket entitles me to a complimentary meal. For my other meals, I will either head to the restaurant car or simply had instant noodles, bought from one of the many train stations snack shops.

Heading East !

Many snack shops at the station platform

100 is my train number 😀. The train is mostly punctual in arriving and departing from a station.

In the restaurant car, with snacks and a limited meal menu

 One of the many bridges

A train exhibit

Arriving in Vladivostok

Russian souvenirs

In conclusion, the Tran Siberia railway is a bucket list for many tourists, including me. And I'm glad that I had a chance to ride on it. The journey offers a glimpse into Siberia and its towns, some of which are not really on the world map. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

From St Petersburg to Moscow by train

After a tour of St Petersburg, it is time to leave for Moscow by train. To save on accommodation costs, I took an overnight train from St Petersburg to Moscow, Russia. There are many trains plying this route, both daytime and overnight. Russian train tickets are be bought online via a number of travel websites.

I find that the cheapest train tickets can be had from the rzd website, belonging to the Russian trains company. I bought the overnight ticket from St Petersburg to Moscow as well as the Trans-Siberian railway ticket on it. The website is relatively user-friendly and berths can be selected at the time of purchase.

On the Trans-Siberian train, I had chosen to be in a second class berth for a comfortable trip, so on the short, overnight train, I decided to experience a third class compartment.

On Russian trains, third class is an open bunk area, so there will be movement along the aisle. Second class, which I'll be taking on the Trans-Siberia train, is a four-bunk room with lockable door for more privacy and safety. In every car, there is a train attendant to take care of its passengers.

In Moscow, the metro system efficiently delivers us to Red Square, where the main tourist attractions are located.

The impressive St Basil Cathedral in Moscow

More historic architecture 😀

The GUM shopping mall near the Red Square

Here, bicycles are used for decorations

An elaborately designed shopping mall

The historic toilet!

After a great tour of the Moscow red square, it is time to head to the train station for my trans-siberia train tour!