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 ! ＾＾

In Kanaya Sta. of Oigawa Railway

This time, I planned a trip along Oigawa river all the way to “Sumata-kyo Onsen” making use of “Fujinokuni GoGo! Campaign”. First of all, let me introduce “Oigawa Railway” so that I can provide all information at a time.
Oigawa Railway goes along Oigawa river between Kanaya and Senzu station, and Senzu and Ikawa station. Not alike JR line, it’s fascinating because it proceeds, perpendicularly from JR Line, on and on to the north into mountains. While local people use it for their lives, it is definitely loved by lots of tourists, I would say because of the sceneries through the window and the various viewing spots along it. Above all things, what should be highlighted about Oigawa Railway is “SL” the Steam Locomotive.

A Steam Locomotive at Shin-Kanaya

Long time ago, before electric train was employed and became prevalent, SL had been a popular railroad in Japan. It basically runs on coals. I used to hear elder people talk that the smoke given off by the SL made all washed clothes black ! But in 1976, all SL was gone. Still, Oigawa Railway brought it back in the same year and it’s very rare now throughout Japan. Now, many tourists visit stations along Oigawa railway to take pictures of SL.

Local Train at Kanaya

SL is available every day but be sure to check out the departure time because it basically makes only one round trip a day and the schedule varies based on the day or season.

Must-see views come one after another !

Anyway, I got off JR train at Kanaya and moved to another Kanaya station beside it. In my case, because I needed to leave Kanaya very early on that day, I was meant to take SL on my way back to Kanaya. The local train has also such atmosphere as the one of old days. I took some pictures of it and finally stepped inside. “Retro” is the very word for it ! Picture-takers were pressing their faces against the window looking for, maybe, a lovely landscape.
Now, here we go !

Going up along Oi River

The train proceeded slowly along Oi River, mountains, and green-tea fields. I was just staring abstractedly at the passing scenery as if my mind had been taken away by the spirits of nature.
Next time, I’ll introduce a famous suspension bridge at “Shiogo” and around “Senzu” Station.

Have a good day !

Illustrated Map (1806KB)

Oigawa Railway ： Beside JR Kanaya Station.
＊In case you come by car, please drive for “Shin-Kanaya Station” for the parking lot.
＊Guide-map is available in English, Chinese and Korean. Please ask for it at the ticket desk.

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

In Shizuoka, we have many spots for fishing. Not to mention the sea, fishing in mountain streams is very popular. You must be careful in fishing in the river because the fishing season is generally limited in Shizuoka, or in Japan, while you can enjoy fishing in the sea throughout the year. What is more, you have to pay for fishing right tickets. Why ? Because fishery unions hatch and farm fishes such as sweet fish and rainbow trout and release them in the river before the season begins. That is, it is best to fish on the first day or the first week of the season because fishes will not have studied much yet. The fee of fishery ticket defers depending on the union but it is usually around ¥1,000 - ¥2,000 for a day.
By the way, last weekend, I joined a fishing contest in Kisegawa River, Gotemba City. It was so beautiful day with the breeze of late autumn. I arrived there late because I had got……kind of lost. ＾＾； It did not matter for me because I was good happy enough only to grip my fishing rod that I had not for a long time. I saw dozens of people fishing. I finished the entry and hurried the stairs to get ready for it.

It was not long before I caught the first fish. You know, I’m sort of pro !＾＾　A baby rainbow trout though. I changed the spots several times. Small trout again, and again, until finally I caught a not-too-bad one. More than 12 inches !

Eventually, I caught 11 trout for 2 hours. Good enough for me. I looked around. They had caught more than I did. ＾＾； A man had a humongous trout. Is that one you bought at the fish market ? No. You wouldn’t find bigger one even in the market. Oh, maybe next time, I will.

The fishing season has been closed in most of the rivers in Shizuoka. It begins next year generally from March 1st. It is essential for you to check out the details such as fishing ticket, fishing style and the season beforehand, I’m so sorry that you will find little information in English. So if you have any inquiries, please feel free to post your messages on this blog website or ask us through our official website, “Shizuoka Guide”.

Thank you and have a good day !

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English blog website for events & sightseeing. Always with you ! ＾＾

There are many images about Japan. Mt. Fuji, Geisha, Ninja, Onsen, Green Tea and Sushi. I’m very proud that all above can be experienced in Shizuoka ! And what I wanna show you today is one of these images in Japan. Now, let’s follow my footsteps.

From Shuzenji station, I took the bus from #6 and got it off at “Shuzenji Sogo Kaikan” to drop at Shuzenji Tourist Association. It is in the bricked complex hall. A cheerful lady attended me to chat with. So heart-warming atmosphere I could feel from the office. She handed me 2 brochures, both written in English, Chinese and Korean. Good maps in them. No way to get lost, I believed.

With 2 guidebooks in hand, I walked up to Shuzenji Temple. Very magnificent but decently harmonized in the nature. You can’t expect something flashy or gorgeous here. Just like old days in Japan, it stands still, unchanged, to remind us of what is most important in our lives. Nature tells, I’ll bet !

Shuzenji Spa area has a very long promenade along the river that goes though the town. Walking along it is just fun ! Can you hear the voices of the stream ? Feel the crystal-clear air ? Scent of greens ?
Now, follow the pictures.

ﾊ──ｏ(*≧∇≦)ﾉ──ｲ

The red rails could become a symbol of Shuzenji Spa. There is a foot-spa in the middle of the river. Free of charge. Please enjoy the real hot-spring, listening to the sound of river-stream.

Breeze through the bamboo grove almost made me forget that I’d been at work.＾＾；　　
There are many Japanese hotels around the river. I followed the pathway all the way to the end of promenade and went up the small hill through the local residential area to see the grave of Minamoto-no-Noriyori, a historical man of Kamakura era.

Nature makes various kinds of “Shuzenji” throughout the year. In autumn, maple leaves will make another face of town from the one I’ve showed you today. Please don’t miss any opportunity for Shuzenji !

Have a good day !＾＾

Shuzenji Tourist Association
Access ： From Shuzenji Station, take the bus from #1 or #6 as far as “Sogo Kaikan”.
Shuzenji Spa
Access ： From Shuzenji Station, take the bus from #1 or #6 as far as “Shuzenji Onsen”.
Or 10 minute walk from Shuzenji Tourist Association

“Shizuoka Guide” is our official English website for sightseeing, always with you ! ^^