Satoshi Nihonyanagi
Welcome to my blog, Green Tea Club !
I'll show you all the beauties and goodies in Shizuoka through this blog.
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Hope to see you around in Shizuoka !
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12/26/2012 [Wed]
Shiogo Suspension Bridge [Kawanehoncho]
Last weekend, I went for a drive wanting power of great nature. Wondering if I should proceed for mountains or the ocean, I finally concluded that spirits of nature that can recover from exhaustion of the year shall be in mountains !
Now, way to Senzu, 2 hours away from my city ！
I stopped by Shiogo’s 220M long and 11M high Suspension Bridge on my way that crossed over houses, roadway, railway, and Oi river. Actually, it was a 2nd challenge for me.
The first time was just so awful that I did a 180 on the middle of the bridge. And this time……, in the event, worse than the first stab because some of passers-by caused some sort of quake and pound, which aroused scariness from deep bottom of my mind and when a young couple dashed forward on the bridge, I froze for a moment and stepped back, turned around and headed back where I started. I saw even a child enjoyed walking on it. Why not for me ? Maybe next year……
Shiogo Suspension Bridge
Access ： 1 minute from “Shiogo Station” of Oigawa Railway
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 18:17 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
06/27/2011 [Mon]
Oigawa Railway ― Around Senzu and the way back to Kanaya [Kawanehoncho]
So I stood in front of Senzu Station, Kawanehoncho, again around 12:00. The SL was supposed to leave there at 14:58. 3 hours to go. So what shall I do ? I visited the information office for some tourist information. They were so kind as to let me have some maps and brochures. They had also English ones !
On seeing the map, my plan was fixed. Another suspension bridge !
Kawanehoncho Tourism Association
Starting from ① on the map, I walked on the red hiking pathway along Oi River as the map indicates, checking out the several sightseeing points, and in 40 minutes or so, I finally found it, Ryogyoku Suspension Bridge at ⑩ ! It looked so long. 145m, actually. The wind of valley was blowing a little strong.
I walked on it step by step, mindfully not to see beneath myself and finally, I made it ! No wasp that time.＾＾
Illustrated map (329KB)
Ryogoku Suspension Bridge
Suspension Bridge of Konagai
After returning to Senzu station, I visited “Otogi-no Sato” that stands beside the station. First I saw a roadside station that sells local products and souvenirs, and beyond it, I found a huge Sound Museum. “Otogi” literally means “ to play with sounds”. You will get startled with it because surprising sounds come out of unexpected stuff !
I bought Shin-cha green tea, one of Kawane’s specialties, at some tea-stores before the station and passed through the ticket gate to the platform briskly. Many tourists had already been flocking together in front of the first car to take some pictures of its historically dignified face. I did, as well, with all thankfulness for its longstanding hospitality. It proceeds backward to Kanaya, by the way. Can you tell the difference among pictures below ?
The old-fashioned seat was rather cozy for me. It began to move at the scheduled time after a squeaky whistle and smoggy smoke out of the blue, blotting out everything outside. A train conductor came in the car after a while to say hello and she talked to customers one by one about how they had enjoyed Kawane and Oigawa Railway. She went as far as to play harmonica to lift the audience, which seemed like a party to me.
A journey for about 1 hr and 20 min to Kanaya. I enjoyed beautiful views through the window until I fell into a blissful sleep irresistibly. When I found myself at Kanaya, I felt somehow so sad. End of dream-like days. Reality was coming up again, I felt.＾＾；
Anyway, it was definitely a good travel for me ! Oigara Railway has brought me varieties of awesome experiences. Best season now ! Why don’t you try ?
Have a good day !＾＾
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
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06/24/2011 [Fri]
Oigawa Railway ― Yumeno Tsuribashi suspension bridge [Kawanehoncho]
I left Suikoen in Sumatakyo Onsen at 8:30 and walked toward the hiking trail to Yumeno Tsuribashi suspension bridge. In five minutes or so, I found a statue of Japanese antelopes.
That is the gateway to it. Souvenir shops stand beside the walkway. I proceeded further to get my adventure started ! Now, why had I ever thought of going on a hike that I didn’t like much ? It was because of a picture on the brochure. A suspension bridge between mountains over the indescribable blue-like green water. It seemed very artificial to me. Some kind of joking ? Just like one from another world. Maybe I should make it sure with my own eyes, I decided.
The brochure said that I might come across some wild animal like monkeys or Japanese antelopes and I was sure I would because I am such kind of man ! You know, wild animals don’t show up before people who want to see them.
The air was so beautiful with the blue sky behind it. I could see dozens of mountains, some streams, and bridges through early summer trees. A kind of lizard swiftly passed before me. Hi, you look so cute. A huge snake was also enjoying sunshine in the corner of the pathway. Not bad.＾＾
In 20 minutes or so, I found it, Yumeno Tsuribashi, if literally translated, “a dreamy suspension bridge” ! I headed for it and in another 10 minutes, I stood in front of the bridge. Just like the one in the brochure ! The color of water looked as though it had been concocted with painting colors. To try or not. I walked step by step on the bridge, gathering all the power of nature and finally, I did it, almost ! I stopped at the very way out. Why ? A wasp…I really hate it ! I turned around to walk on the way I had walked. There was another way to reach the other side. I proceeded on the paved pathway to cross another bridge and finally got to the observation square after a while. I made it !＾＾
On my way back, because maybe I was totally unguarded by the stunning beauties, I came across a monkey just in front of myself ! I dashed off, and he ( or she ? ) sprinted off into the mountain. After that happened, I became too vigilant to enjoy the exquisite views. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I came back to the entrance shopping area safely and took the bus to Senzu Station.
Next time, I’ll report the final report, Senzu to Kanaya.
Have a good day !＾＾
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 10:57 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
06/22/2011 [Wed]
Oigawa Railway ― Sumatakyo Onsen [Kawanehoncho]
After getting my eyes exhilarated by the stunning beauties along “South Alps ABT Line”, I took the same train back to “Okuizumi” Station to find a bus to Sumatakyo Onsen hot spring resort.
As I mentioned in the first report, I was meant to stay overnight using “Fujinokuni GoGo! Campaign”. Today, I introduce one of the ryokan inns in Sumatakyo Onsen Resort, “Suikoen”, also known as one of the best ryokans in Shizuoka.
Too good room for me ＾＾；
I reached Suikoen around 18:00. I talked with the manager for a while, checked in, and did as most Japanese do. That is, yeah, onsen comes first above anything else !
Here is an interesting trivia. This mark is used in the map to show the location of “Onsen”. Now, pay your attention on the 3 wavy lines. These are generally believed to show steam out of the bath but they also have a profound meaning. That is, “Bathe 3 times”, after check-in, after dinner, and after you wake up.
←open air spa ↑indoor spa
The first bathing took every fatigue away from me. I love the hot-spring quality of Sumatakyo Onsen. The water is rather slimy and clinging to your body but the skin become silky and smooth after dried up.
Now, time for dinner ! It was too gorgeous for me. You should experience what you won’t do in your daily life when you stay in a traditional ryokan like this. See the dishes. First came a glass of Japanese Sake of Tohoku region, indicating that their hearts were always with people in disaster. The sake service is only for the campaign. And varieties of a la carte dish ! I loved the broiled salted Yamame trout. Shabu-shabu ( to soak raw meat in boiling water for a second and dip ponzu sauce ) was also splendid ! Salmon salad, Tempra of green-tea leaves, and a green-tea pudding, all good enough for me.＾＾
After dinner, when I got back in my room, I found my futon ( bed ) ready to get in. In Japanese ryokans, they usually prepare for guest’s beds during dinner. I, of course, took another bath before going to bed. Onsen is actually believed very thermal. Good before sleeping.
I also enjoyed shopping in the souvenir shop in Suikoen. They carried a great variety of goods, which honestly startled me. Green tea and Japanese sweets prepared in my room was really nice, too ! I turned on the green-tea aroma diffuser that I found in the corner of the room. In a few minutes, my room was filled with the fragrant tea scent and I had fallen into a deep sleep before I counted 10 sheep. No wonder I walked too much on that day.＾＾
The morning came so quick, I felt. I seemed to have slept very good and sound. I took a look at the clock. Third-time onsen, or breakfast ? I packed up my stuff in no time and headed for the restaurant. Buffet style. Good to me.＾＾
Now, time to leave Suikoen ! Oh, by the way, you will have a small pack of green tea when you check out, if you use the campaign. I thanked for their consideration.＾＾
“GoGo! Campaing” is being effective until July 22. Suikoen is in it for C Plan. Find any hotel or ryokan among about 740 accommodation facilities in Shizuoka Prefecture for yourself to save money and help people in Tohoku !
Next time, I’ll report “Yume-no Tsuribashi” suspension bridge.
Have a good day !
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
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Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 10:59 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 2 )
06/14/2011 [Tue]
Oigawa Railway ― South Alps ABT Line to Ikawa - 2 [Kawanehoncho]
After saying good-bye to the stunning beauty of Okuoi-kojo Station, I crossed the Rainbow Bridge and kept walking on the trail in the mountain. In 10 – 15 minutes or so, I stepped out of the pathway and another 10 minute walk along the roadway took me to a huge bridge leading to “Love Romance Road”. Here is an alternative. You can go directly along the roadway to the station, or you cross the bridge into another hiking trail with 8 suspension bridge ! I took the latter, of course.＾＾
I, telling the truth, am not good at strolling in or along the mountain like this alone because I am so imaginative that I often dream up an idea that bears or man-eaters may come out of nowhere to attack on me. Actually, in all modesty, I often come across wild animals. Apart from my fancy dreaming, you’d better watch out for wasps ! Indeed, I had seen some of them on my way. Stay away quietly anyway if you happen to see them. The trail ended after about 40 minute walk and that is one of the major onsen hot spring resorts, Sessokyo Onsen !
I crossed another huge bridge and went on to the station at the foot of the mountain. No one was there.
Then a group of family came in and we talked each other. They were from Yokohama for sightseeing. I was meant to take the train for Ikawa, and they were for Senzu to take SL. They looked so happy to be there !
The train came in 15 minutes. I took it to Ikawa, the terminal station of South Alps ABT Line. A train conductor was announcing tourist information along the railway. We turned our head to the right and left following his narration. When it stopped for us to see the spectacular view on the bridge of about 71m-high canyon, everybody exclaimed. Soon the train reached Ikawa Station. The humongous Ikawa Dam could be seen on its way.
So, this is it. Because of this dam, Ikawa Line was opened all the way through mountains and Ikawa district was developed into a town. And thanks to these dams in Oi River including Nagashima Dam I mentioned last time, we have hardly had water-shortage or electricity-shortage around Oi River. Maybe we should feel more grateful for the early pioneers.
Ikawa, the gateway to South Alps Mountains, is very popular among hikers and climbers. If you are trying, be sure to plan carefully beforehand and enjoy yourself !
Next time, I’ll introduce Sumatakyo Onsen resort and a Japanese Inn.
Have a good day !
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
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