Satoshi Nihonyanagi
Welcome to my blog, Green Tea Club !
I'll show you all the beauties and goodies in Shizuoka through this blog.
If you have any inquiry, please feel free to post your messages on it.
Hope to see you around in Shizuoka !
Main content starts here.
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 ! ＾＾
Tags :
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 12:12 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )
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 )
06/13/2011 [Mon]
Oigawa Railway ― South Alps ABT Line to Ikawa - 1 [Kawanehoncho]
At Okuizumi Station
About ten minute ride on the temporary shuttle bus from Senzu station took me to a small station “Okuizumi”, surrounded by mountains. This is the station for South Alps ABT Line. The train proceeded slowly until it reached the next station “Aputo Ichishiro” ( ABT is pronounced “Aputo” ), where ABT system car is to be connected. From there the train goes on the steepest railway on the mountain in Japan very powerfully. ABT line, the only system in Japan, was originally exploited for building a dam in Ikawa district. I would also say it is now the line for tourists because of spectacular views along it.
ABT System is connected
Up along Oi River
Nagashima Dam
ABT system is, if explained simply, a railway with gear wheels like a roller coaster. Soon after the train goes up a hill, you will see a fascinating huge dam, called “Nagashima Dam”. A suspension bridge is seen over the water and a vast park is found beyond the bridge. Lots of tourists enjoy hiking around the dam.
Next spot is the most popular place along ABT line, ever introduced through various kinds of media. “Okuoi-kojo”, the station in the middle of the lake !
At Okuoi-kojo Station
Okuoikojo Station stands in the mountain encircled by water, which I believed at first that it was on an island. The long bridge, “Rainbow Bridge” over the lake is popular among photographers. See the picture below. The one in the left is the bridge before the station. It was so exciting to me because I had never visited a place like this. I abruptly made up my mind to get it off and walk to the next station “Sessokyo Onsen” because I had found a hiking trail in the map. It might have messed up all my plans but I didn’t care. Ce qui sera, sera.＾＾
Okuoi-kojo station beyond the bridge
I took some pictures there and walked on the bridge in the right picture to find a hiking trail to the next station. I could see the Okuoi-kojo station far behind. How can you imagine a station without people living around ? Kind of mystery, isn’t it ?
Next time, I’ll report my hike to “Sessokyo Onsen” station and Ikawa Dam.
Have a good day !
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 09:57 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 8 )
06/08/2011 [Wed]
Oigawa Railway ― Shiogo Suspension Bridge and Senzu [Kawanehoncho]
In about 45 minutes after leaving Kanaya station, Oigawa Railway, I got off the train at “Shiogo”. There is a very famous suspension bridge that has been introduced many times through such media as newspapers, magazines and TV. Shiogo Station has no man to check your ticket. Be sure to hand it to the train conductor.
Now, look at this ! As you know, basically, suspension bridges are meant to go over a river or a valley but Shiogo Suspension Bridge is something more unique. Can you see what it is ? It goes over houses, a road, railway, and Oi River ! Only 3 minutes from the station. Telling you further, I could not finish the bridge because I felt scared too much.＾＾； Beside the bridge, I found a hidden small falls called “Meoto-daki” ( married fall ).
Meoto-daki Falls
Shiogo Suspension Bridge
At Shiogo Station
Now, I took Oigawa Railway again for “Senzu”, the terminal station of it. On my way, I could see Kawane green-tea fields, one of the 8 major tea production districts in Shizuoka and in about 30 minutes, the train reached “Senzu”. Senzu Station also features an old-fashion atmosphere. A small museum “SL Museum” stands beside the station and shops, especially green tea shops are found around it. Be sure to drop at the tourist information center over the road. You know, it's very important to get guide-maps at any information center whichever station you stop by. Locally made maps are always better than ones sold in bookstores. It will help you much.
SL Museum
In Senzu Station
Talking about Oigawa Railway, Ekiben, the packed lunch is also very popular among tourists. We Japanese love to eat Ekiben in the train during the journey. If you like it, why don’t you try Ekiben to reach our spirits ?
Bus stop + shops + Info Center
Senzu Station
So what did I next ? I was meant to take the next line, “South Alps ABT Line” to proceed further into the mountains but due to the landslides caused by the rain storm in 2010, Shuttle Bus has been substituted for it for now between Senzu and Okuizumi Station. Can you see the bus in the picture ? That’s the one. The ABT trains are supposed to be recovered from Aug, 2011. Anyway, I took the bus to Okuizumi Station that day.
Next time, I’ll introduce viewing spots along “South Alps ABT Line”.
Have a good day !＾＾
“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾
Posted by Satoshi Nihonyanagi at 10:41 Permanent Link Trackback ( 0 ) Comments ( 0 )