tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11235683171292168942024-03-14T00:19:48.987-07:00Walk of life日本の旅。Since 2011. For latest updates, follow me on Instagram! #patswalkoflifehsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.comBlogger577125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-62708699412841984582020-09-10T07:07:00.005-07:002020-09-10T07:07:31.344-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Matsudai Station まつだい駅<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QTZedz4maX6TzSPr2kTKcDwzG_xVjjD-e-GVBuKardwfQ2zfqwJpWb3KrMgCsOJ3z1NonXCdFPidcYOo_K9xOAK5wbggKlsia4qmWy79PuQHRc5dqeO7KXFCEgkzCb1UgwDkLArPFBwl/s2000/matsudai+1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QTZedz4maX6TzSPr2kTKcDwzG_xVjjD-e-GVBuKardwfQ2zfqwJpWb3KrMgCsOJ3z1NonXCdFPidcYOo_K9xOAK5wbggKlsia4qmWy79PuQHRc5dqeO7KXFCEgkzCb1UgwDkLArPFBwl/w625-h469/matsudai+1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Matsudai Station まつだい駅 is a train station located along Hokuhoku line ほくほく線, a railway located in Niigata Prefecture and operated by Hokuetsu Express 北越急行. <div><br /><div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp9W1rADhsxx6hkrXx366ynEC8rsvQcezKLDUfENEnetdEoZr9CPSeT9SbZ2AIpO91Xvp4fT3T5wajVObbOHZIdZ0A_0GQvPW1W5FImjE-WS213EuoqXBHXtrqw9bWuJVXCLhCvnVzJLD/w625-h469/matsudai+3.jpg" /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL4HdLE0CH4jwIgrxzsvx-Mi8n5Hu2CMawDeMStCHWhBvQWGG4-SxHFjKiT2K1Hi9q0XIvX1pRl9mM0cxecPitz4d5CBVCxLZU9e6yvPMJ8jldboMM7mGlHzU6zlKpDbOliIVYnMsdsd2/w625-h469/matsudai+2.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br />======</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b><br /></b></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />(1) Bus stop, in front of the train station. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">- Tokei Bus 東頸バス Tokamachi line 十日町線 heading for Matsunoyama Onsen 松之山温泉. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Bus schedule: <a href="http://www.marukei-g.com/files/libs/2626/202003301156494333.pdf">http://www.marukei-g.com/files/libs/2626/202003301156494333.pdf</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">(2) Michi no eki Matsudai Furusato Kaikan 道の駅まつだいふるさと会館, a roadside station connected seamlessly to the train station. This roadside station, located along Japan National Route 253, houses a Family Mart (opened in May 2017), souvenir shop, restaurant and tourist information center.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Website: <a href="https://www.tokamachishikankou.jp/matudai/cgi-bin/kaikan/">https://www.tokamachishikankou.jp/matudai/cgi-bin/kaikan/</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbhG0WEIJNDNAYLP4VQQF6_RqPSqeqOxxpJV5m5sqZ3t_9taOySm30iSidJFp19y4CtF4UX1POpvY5E_29B48UsMSAKdBhimmaSjfg7n9iA1h4G8GCJwPiPx5i-BW6RKSvIzt9ygmxj-1/w625-h391/matsudai+5.jpg" /></div><div><br /></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJMLwKchld9aQk9FHP_-VVhW-qT6ARPm2be9tWwYRIf-kKQTvE_mBb4OCr8BnmAjFNSakIGC0FxIDHyi0PwENIskGlFm_a5m9Syk4lJc3GHIZdzsf6swNwLfYdi7rprVjONhCWY32k3fJ/w625-h469/matsudai+4.jpg" /><br /><div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">(3) Matsudai Nobutai まつだい「農舞台」, about 2 mins walk from the train station. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This unique looking building, designed by a group of architect from Netherlands, and its surroundings is one of the venue of Echigo Tsumari Art Field 越後妻有大地の芸術の里 and Echigo Tsumari Art Triennale 越後妻有大地の芸術祭, an international art festival held every three years. Permanent and seasonal art works are displayed in the galleries of Nobutai and dotted in the outfield for enthusiasts to explore on foot. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Website: <a href="https://www.echigo-tsumari.jp/">https://www.echigo-tsumari.jp/</a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
======<br />
<br /><b>
Commemorative stamps:</b><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiPUxWILxV5pa0HPZ-huZh4qHs1QY5EQRwCllmNuH-qrMCBUAUrPnyBVQ5tofovHP78XlKMcwKJBWZHmBkAb22dCvZV8tbOIzOzNgj28NKamARrifrFz5NQtI5f3-aros-RrFNSEd8fix/s2048/IMG_4500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiPUxWILxV5pa0HPZ-huZh4qHs1QY5EQRwCllmNuH-qrMCBUAUrPnyBVQ5tofovHP78XlKMcwKJBWZHmBkAb22dCvZV8tbOIzOzNgj28NKamARrifrFz5NQtI5f3-aros-RrFNSEd8fix/s320/IMG_4500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsIUC2oqHtaMoJRoN2x3vUQuYQ56Ul0-WXIBv0qSF3axCIcExwu1UDX89bxkTmqQLikIgnrqHL49Dl1FWmrkhlFeftnCf9nu_CSObujCPmT5qLFdxogFtIHyRlTJdIz2sTwHMk93Jdil1/s1316/IMG_4501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="1316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsIUC2oqHtaMoJRoN2x3vUQuYQ56Ul0-WXIBv0qSF3axCIcExwu1UDX89bxkTmqQLikIgnrqHL49Dl1FWmrkhlFeftnCf9nu_CSObujCPmT5qLFdxogFtIHyRlTJdIz2sTwHMk93Jdil1/s320/IMG_4501.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div></div>hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-36464045982451817482020-05-25T08:53:00.001-07:002020-05-25T08:53:27.658-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Soup Curry Hanjiro スープカレーハンジロー <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Visited 20.10.2016 (Thu)</b><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc15TDntEO4E_a3gAZZQRRjJG8hd4tgCoLEp8jOs1y-gpI1V1ATb3Xv36XJLJM4WJYmPNb0VAde1BqDRKDqNZgZx_MCR3-n94c6sYguUCmHeTI0-9jWj0kAdZ-hCV6-xagYx0ZDnu-q45/s640/soup+curry+9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdFmky5ZA54VvWhkyAiIlp4n_qgvVTIAEumEfvrD0EcPTONJt8rSxc0qEgbHbtAhvtQG3JuOKMlifaBVh4qJTD2_BS4EglM8QQRjFcztVgbfqVcJGv-br9EiNzWyERonND6yQn3iDn-jo/s640/soup+curry+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i>Soup curry fan!</i> Arrived at Azumino city 安曇野市 just in time for lunch. Followed a recommendation in Mappuru Shinshu まっぷる 信州 and took a taxi from <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/04/chubu-2016-hotaka-station-hotaka-jinja.html">Hotaka Station 穂高駅</a> to Hanjiro ハンジロー, a restaurant that specialises in soup curry スープカレー. I became a fan of soup curry after trying it for the very first time in Hokkaido. As the name implies, it is more soupy than the thicker, gravy like Japanese curry. Usually served together with chicken, a variety of vegetables or seafood, the flavour of the soup curry packs a punch and goes extremely well with rice. Hanjiro occupies a two storey, country style wooden house which stands right beside a stream and is located in the vicinity of a wasabi farm and salmon rearing farm. Though the restaurant was fully packed when we arrived, we were only separated from our lunch by another family standing in the queue. Looked through the menu and decided to have their set lunch which comes with appetiser, ice cream and drink. Ordered two sets of soup curry with assorted vegetables and three different types of mushroom (彩り野菜と3種類キノコのスープカレー), and one set of soup curry with their specialty hamburg steak made from pork and beef (牛と豚こだわり肉のハンバーグスープカレー). Each soup curry is also served with rice. The spiciness level ranges from 0 to 30 and we opted for level 2 spiciness, which is equivalent to medium spicy.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRB1Z08a8cqnZxbOoSXrXQanm5JgHY47FuXWuzTw0_2tWTM6wNCJedQI2jj1zIZVKeTPWWK9GawNdRG84YMKXBvo4v-cd769XmHw2WmXFOMkY1ube2r-T9r3g72KRNOddpRkqKk7ZgcT1/s640/soup+curry+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvfo8wK2P3H7oKXvLHQ7_l1naN2A4VXPL-mxmEtgqzU34abyFnhGasoVcNN6Z2GBBCBGNy4FtP9m2im8qXZ3T2SET-uQD9Zd-jmRTfBaQCVjHFZNnxC9mG2U9IHS0zWgZP22-m1-Pw70r/s640/soup+curry+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i>Delicious</i>. Upon stepping into the restaurant, my nose was instantly captivated by the delicious aroma of soup curry that filled the air in the dining area. We were assigned to the window counter seats which face the clear water stream. Started the lunch with a small plate of salad as appetisier. When my soup curry (with assorted vegetables and mushrooms) was served, I was surprised how aesthetically pleasant the dish was. The hearty bowl of soup curry was decorated with colourful, seasonal vegetables such as cherry tomato, pumpkin, broccoli and asparagus and topped with a halved hard boiled egg. Tasted a scoop of the soup and was totally blown away by the multiple layers of flavours that unfolded on my tastebuds. The secret to their soup curry is its Bouillon soup base, created using ingredients such as beef, potherbs and fruits, which are cooked together for 12 hours and left to sit overnight; while the curry is made up of around 20 types of spices. Level 2 spiciness was just right for my palate, complementing the natural sweetness infused in the broth. As for the soup curry with hamburg steak, the meat patty was well seasoned and seared to the right level of doneness. Wrapped up our enjoyable lunch with a scoop of ice cream and hot milk tea.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwoQPkiyuhNM3-ouyRYBakhNoW33_h5p6TaB7-go8f5zfYiPcSqCGmK24-_wA3d-NAdMd6tdsjtapvwWejv0gPPaX7_b9fzwMC5WwDct-dOwElCvayObm86PAnVsK9C29T7tl3bgpXKeG/s640/soup+curry+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyabU-HD3zAwO1XmPUVveFOboeo5yMI4oKGKk_9Clg8mG1zUIC-ynHkN9Cs2SEkQxgp06YX7iy7KErPurgnvMEq5YBCLDgsarPoZfyxXjJIa3iVHY3Iyw-Co8n4DpVbxV2hSbp5ARsQ7dL/s640/soup+curry+7.jpg" /><br />
<br /></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB2xljIrTgcpqdTi_9Fsc9CuSg_G5KsRok_u-3KBmnzmMKsMhFx6q8cMKYlgdq7NilJGGrCmdt9T5aX0EWT8YZChWKIZHYjciJnSfKmAsXDkBNxKVsCEAg_E5lp9iX1KVUF4S4VsTG_Zm/s640/soup+curry+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFwLvNZVOzEXzQhqSgHQtHLVf2ufU4umKKmVgPPq5i9If8c5qN6ZA2t6ZEfLFOJHG8t4Ml3ne8E_rm04DyAIVTL8d7wWTLNb1HjKtPyjszs-USVDjCgh5zCIZNqoRIdiSAvief_Vzd4Bw/s640/soup+curry+8.jpg" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br />
Glad to discover a good soup curry restaurant outside of Hokkaido!<br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Soup Curry Hanjiro スープカレーハンジロー </b><br />
長野県安曇野市穂高4857-1<br />
Operating hours: 1100 - 1430 hrs (Lunch); 1730 - 2030 hrs (Dinner)<br />
<a href="http://hanjiro.jp/">http://hanjiro.jp/</a><br />
<br />
<b>How to get there?</b><br />
20 minutes walk from <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/04/chubu-2016-hotaka-station-hotaka-jinja.html">Hotaka Station 穂高駅</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d6427.446000362042!2d137.88346511636354!3d36.343262676079874!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xae2d4f1974d6bf0d!2sHanjiro%20Soup%20Curry!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1590315055110!5m2!1sen!2ssg" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-52498413691041241352020-05-16T09:05:00.001-07:002020-05-16T09:06:19.979-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Matsumoto Station 松本駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxc-rKfEplJwSHv0iX04F611-T18h4rvOew0MPrI1hsOSYIKXS7xdYwA94IEQxycOb8BACC6S677aKPxC4hxVn_825m7fxehJRigg1D7PyVopwLBchhlG03YnbzuoXHAdl5dixS6f9tZP/s640/matsumoto+eki+9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiQ6spbiu3s1BY55iUUC-yoyHkv8yzsjW18ir3yDkxChFxP7iwLTsjKrGKmxLLqiIcRd6kT03wINc5RGCwmGlcbUEFb8x5yxIUISLyN-1vM54hMEuidM5VnVy_FAuE8qvrZIUDQGcKzv1/s640/matsumoto+eki+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Matsumoto Station 松本駅 is a train station on Shinonoi line 篠ノ井線 and the terminus station for Oito line 大糸線 and Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi line 上高地線.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqT4ViSYfcoLtxt8ETGmk_zcgZMHBGcNHNMdIXKQ_03pb4K7TuWyJ1aNqRtDREaZyjUo9Uk91EZJl7OpAAZj7jOK1vpdXCsr5cn3S-p6jp8ByglWd9cfLHh64_ZYHDy9jumix9yTPHYUC/s640/matsumoto+eki+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Trains serving this train station include:<br />
(1) Limited Express Azusa あずさ, commuting between Shinjuku 新宿駅 and Minami Otari 南小谷駅, stopping by stations such as Matsumoto 松本駅, <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/04/chubu-2016-hotaka-station-hotaka-jinja.html">Hotaka 穂高駅</a>, Shinano Omachi 信濃大町駅 and <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/04/chubu-2016-nagano-hakuba-station.html">Hakuba 白馬駅</a>.<br />
(2) Resort View Furusato リゾートビューふるさと, a seasonal train commuting between Nagano and Minami Otari, stopping by stations such as Matsumoto 松本駅, <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/04/chubu-2016-hotaka-station-hotaka-jinja.html">Hotaka 穂高駅</a>, Shinano Omachi 信濃大町駅 and <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/04/chubu-2016-nagano-hakuba-station.html">Hakuba 白馬駅</a>.<br />
Website: <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/resortfuru.html">https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/resortfuru.html</a><br />
(3) Limited Express Shinano しなの, commuting between Nagoya 名古屋駅 and Nagano 長野駅.<br />
(4) Local trains operating between Matsumoto and <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-nagano-shinshimashima-station-2-day-free-passport.html">Shinshimashima 新島々駅</a> via Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi line 上高地線.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HjCz7Ix-unLcIhGsWOBQY-MjhPQ2z3I4ReC902V1lenW-9tNW488mcpbisQIfWxVqYMigWX-fLjS16N18CxmfdD8F4JwT0qTZaFd6n0gI5MRg1WHKLP9xj36jdO2ID5eJeWhEdeJtJdS/s1600/matsumoto+eki+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HjCz7Ix-unLcIhGsWOBQY-MjhPQ2z3I4ReC902V1lenW-9tNW488mcpbisQIfWxVqYMigWX-fLjS16N18CxmfdD8F4JwT0qTZaFd6n0gI5MRg1WHKLP9xj36jdO2ID5eJeWhEdeJtJdS/s640/matsumoto+eki+4.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus stops, on both the east (Oshiro Guchi お城口) and west (Alps Guchi アルプス口) exit of the train station.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH1IxkebMbKSJYDVJdGEvOY7otlraCQUe9pK78lDd4CNBxjCC3Zx6q7Yu6ZGalluFsZ7Y3rSNAIobagoZ60Q-kCLhTtt5_M72LzWs1FTUAv0p20TEeQY5UFKlmZPIHvhy-m4zk6K8LXPx/s640/matsumoto+eki+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTx-0mNGx2eH0aZ9bdQBJkO7idms557lxMO-eMhdWqzuRcnr-4Er9mYxOgznroqk5VJAB-y6u4ST7rQEPFL0N3ZtaCpEUCJI26EQaVNapX9_so-unyF8gWWIf0n6OZUFMInlr_oNPRxtBU/s640/matsumoto+bus+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: red;">East Exit Platform 1</span></u>:<br />
- Town Sneaker North Course タウンスニーカー北コース (Bus No. 200), for Nawate dori 縄手通り, Matsumoto Castle 松本城, Matsumoto City Museum 松本市立博物館 and former Kaichi School 旧開智学校.<br />
- Asama line 浅間線 (Bus No. 32) for Asama Onsen 浅間温泉.<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/asama/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/asama/</a><br />
<span style="color: red;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="color: red;"><u>East Exit Platform 2</u></span>:<br />
- Town Sneaker East Course タウンスニーカー東コース (Bus No. 210), for Matsumoto Timepiece Museum 松本市時計博物館, Nakamachi 中町, AEON Mall and Matsumoto City Museum of Art 松本市美術館.<br />
- Town Sneaker South Course タウンス南コース (Bus No. 220).<br />
<u><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="color: red;">East Exit Platform 3</span></u>:<br />
- Kitashi Inner line 北市内線, comprised of east loop 東回り (Bus No. 100 / anticlockwise) and west loop 西回り (Bus No. 110 / clockwise). Kitashi Inner line east loop bus provides more direct accessibility to Matsumoto City Museum of Art, as compared to Town Sneaker East Course.<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/kitashinai/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/kitashinai/</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ap8kFXCcE7FIXv7C6bDV-YEkiAG8XP3o0RqFFCv8Bploy-AaI4uuT0mAY6ZDbPbbmVLbSF7bZOH9l7o6OMyRmQUZDsbzfpsMoElWO-BhNDPGYe1SGVSugSDTEm-G01qwALYr3jtSGjhK/s640/matsumoto+eki+11.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><u>West Exit</u></span>: Town Sneaker West Course - Long Course タウンスニーカー西コース ロングコース (Bus No. 230), for The Japan Ukiyo-e Museum 日本浮世絵博物館 and Matsumoto City Open Air Architectural Museum 松本市歴史の里.<br />
<br />
For Town Sneaker North and East Course, the bus fare is 200 yen per ride.<br />
For Town Sneaker South and West Course, the bus fare varies between 150 to 200 yen per ride.<br />
Town Sneaker: <a href="https://www.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/kurasi/sumai/bus/town.html">https://www.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/kurasi/sumai/bus/town.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Pt8Y4CSrIwKueN-WxCsFsRjxdMpHTIrByYMw7_vsElbtugH_au7FiFjI7tJHovBSmtGjW36KuKWFQhvt_cVg_znFQbg2xPVRQiSfWLoMM-v-7ZadqZjZUzVYLI4LFbdOK-f-fElPiD2m/s640/matsumoto+eki+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(2) Matstumoto City Tourist Information Center 松本市観光案内所, within the train station.<br />
Operating hours: 0900 - 1745 hrs<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPL-jI2JHMZ0Ss1SR1yvtF3tM9hSYGVRQ5HU20HdM0XmFR7QNhsG9yndKVuf9uRV3fwX2fYpNWB5mQ-xn_-hobzztKrYL7FjZNkH3VAJETyaMeCh3oLKN5lPPI4XkiVV_36aQjxGEugz_/s640/matsumoto+eki+10.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(3) Matsumoto Bus Terminal 松本バスタミナール, less than a minute walk from east exit of train station. Alpico Plaza アルピコプラザ, which has replaced the former Ario アリオ, is connected to the bus terminal.<br />
Alpico Plaza: <a href="http://www.alpico-plaza.jp/">http://www.alpico-plaza.jp/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Matsumoto Bus Terminal 松本バスタミナール</b>:<br />
- Platform 2 for Shin Asama line 新浅間線 (Bus No. 21) to Matsumoto City Museum of Art 松本市美術館 and Asama Onsen 浅間温泉.<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/shinasama/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/shinasama/</a><br />
- Platform 3 for Utsukushigahara Onsen line 美ヶ原温泉線 (Bus No. 31) to Utsukushigahara Onsen 美ヶ原温泉.<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/utsukushigaharaonsen/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/utsukushigaharaonsen/</a><br />
- Platform 5 for Kuko, Asahi line 空港・朝日線 to Shinshu Matsumoto Airport 信州まつもと空港.<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/kuko_asahi/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/kuko_asahi/</a><br />
- Platform 8 for direct Airport Shuttle エアポートシャトル to Shinshu Matsumoto Airport 信州まつもと空港.<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/airport_shuttle/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/matsumoto/airport_shuttle/</a><br />
<br />
(4) Midori, a shopping mall connected seamlessly to the train station. Here, you are find MOS Burger (Level 1), Matsumoto Kiyoshi (Level 2) and Starbucks Coffee (Level 3). Restaurants are located on 4th floor of the shopping mall.<br />
<a href="https://www.eki-midori.com/matsumoto/">https://www.eki-midori.com/matsumoto/</a><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveAZfxT4kFJOCmOBCAS8RHwn-JIEKWy016nUuJyW-0ultmSQgYpTAJrEO2obA2sX45wNOFWAXm1hRqFI6SMll7zcl4UIGnRpLM7EyETO5GNKMcxPlyThYATaQPZ5mlGO2heSgmeZ2FbIf/s1600/IMG_3757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveAZfxT4kFJOCmOBCAS8RHwn-JIEKWy016nUuJyW-0ultmSQgYpTAJrEO2obA2sX45wNOFWAXm1hRqFI6SMll7zcl4UIGnRpLM7EyETO5GNKMcxPlyThYATaQPZ5mlGO2heSgmeZ2FbIf/s400/IMG_3757.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-72563592320692929262020-05-10T08:17:00.000-07:002020-05-14T10:17:51.326-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Niigata Station 新潟駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEOik-7eLxNgl-l079j8DYJfUJ-urFCNodoi2rkDX2I-bWvbQxtYHn_T7yGnrvPPzGmlPeUSVuQ4yXBAaDIoERD4qro-vVgBkHXDJqWJynMZ5eYiTbDWKksCewQYGpnnso3jLZ5Bjl9VS/s640/niigata+station+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Niigata Station 新潟駅 is a train station on Echigo line 越後線, Hakushin line 白新線 and Shin Etsu main line 信越本線, and the terminus station of Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線. Niigata city is the capital of Niigata Prefecture and the city is divided into two halves (north and south) by Shinano River 信濃川. The symbol of Niigata, Bandai Bridge 万代橋 is one of the bridges that span across the river. During our stay in Niigata city, we spent a day each to explore the north and south area. South area is where the main train station, Bandaicho-dori 万代町通り and Nuttari Terrace Shopping Arcade 沼垂テラス商店街 are located at, while Furumachi 古町 and Kamifurumachi 上古町 are two other shopping streets located in the north area.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmbltBiAqHUuAu68tL-Lhd73-ouWxQ07HvXE4yFe4O6RRvWtbq80rvhlLU5zgPyP0JCRiNurV6WL8pJfEMrMUIeJ2JSUkQP2-UFX1HWenhIJUI0hz3cejv6tGruZ7BMeDnv_LZtGohrNv/s640/niigata+station+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUBibvurDz4_WlAobF9Da9a9s4JbZGlcUd2wVnrs3Sz6hrQp1ISsYb72Y0-wrzfqhEmHfuP4YNjBXcfLP1Yzb_crsYwxKGgc4Z1HTLHwjyUpZpHqaJIA2SKbOv1FXp-5deOcyBFKI36En/s640/niigata+station+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Trains serving this train station include:<br />
(1) Shinkansen Toki / Max Toki とき travels southwards to Tsubame Sanjo 燕三条駅, Nagaoka 長岡駅, Urasa 浦佐駅, Takasaki 高崎駅 and Tokyo 東京駅, via Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線.<br />
<br />
(2) Genbi Shinkansen 現美新幹線, a special themed Shinkansen which commutes between Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 and Niigata 新潟駅 via Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線.<br />
<br />
(3) Limited Express Inaho いなほ, commutes between Niigata 新潟駅 to Akita 秋田駅 via Hakushin line 白新線 and Uetsu main line 羽越本線. Train stations served by this train include Niigata 新潟駅, Toyosaka 豊栄駅, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-shibata-station.html">Shibata 新発田駅</a>, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-murakami-station.html">Murakami 村上駅</a>, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, Ugo Honjo 羽後本荘駅, Akita 秋田駅, etc.<br />
<br />
(4) Kairi 海里, a special themed train introduced by JR East in Oct 2019, which commutes between Niigata and Sakata (in Yamagata Prefecture), via Hakushin line 白新線 and Uetsu main line 羽越本線. Train stations served by this train include Niigata 新潟駅, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-shibata-station.html">Shibata 新発田駅</a>, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-murakami-station.html">Murakami 村上駅</a>, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, etc.<br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus terminals on both Bandai Exit 万代口 and South Exit 南口 of train station.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaVW-qirb1vW49Tj6GEAeP_kEOG939Cxle8Ryx5WBLjAAkk1Qv30gHkMRSc98VhCMZ41e5Trj8YlM20hEsgvo3NBq9UaqZRPD0BnwxrjcF9_BRFhj2RLMbq3j4rQ8jqzErPrxfq3f8sre/s640/niigata+station+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: red;">Bandai Exit Platform 0</span></u> for Bandai Bashi line BRT 萬代橋ライン.<br />
<a href="http://www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp/~noriai/brt/rosenjikoku.htm">http://www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp/~noriai/brt/rosenjikoku.htm</a><br />
<u><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></u>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ARIMMKTo5TN8uLSc7Eg1SrU1vhSbNsiz48esN5g6iExDbBA7laBrgqSWmDjKyh6OGsTDIfvHF7Kx21Tu4Rjo32djYjs44Wa-QBUCJg9VI5bZvCsopdK5XS2fXlB-2FgY0JoTT-1Y4zGM/s640/niigata+station+10.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<u><span style="color: red;">Bandai Exit Platform 2</span></u> for Niigata City Kankou Loop Bus 新潟市観光循環バス. Bus fare = 210 yen/ride; One day pass = 500 yen<br />
<a href="http://www.city.niigata.lg.jp/kanko/kanko/kankobus/kankobusnitsuite.html">http://www.city.niigata.lg.jp/kanko/kanko/kankobus/kankobusnitsuite.html</a><br />
<span style="color: red;"><u><br /></u></span>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9ofY0Odvyfu7L9ZDtH33l8Dtes0W7pqg78TfmCnCOBwQ_GQ-RD0X7khoUXBAII0fx39ZSpAX2yI_OtVDdPITGGrQkErtXCcHRbQxuXig1T8xA4QsWDrlKR2vjcxvGunmyN3-j3bQC-L2/s640/niigata+station+9.jpg" /><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: red;"><u>Bandai Exit Platform 3</u></span> for Niigata Kotsu Bus Sado Kisen line 佐渡汽船線 heading for Sado Ferry Terminal.<br />
<a href="http://www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp/~noriai/route-bus/sadoferry/">http://www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp/~noriai/route-bus/sadoferry/</a><br />
<u><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></u>
<u><span style="color: blue;">South Exit Platform 5</span></u> for Limousine Bus heading directly for Niigata Airport 新潟空港.<br />
<a href="http://www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp/~noriai/route-bus/info/200427_limousine_bus.html">http://www.niigata-kotsu.co.jp/~noriai/route-bus/info/200427_limousine_bus.html</a><br />
<br />
(2) Niigata Station Bandai Exit Tourist Information Center 新潟駅万代口観光案内センター, near Bandai Exit of train station.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnd20TJd6ROV1FaLdSSwfS-ClRt4iYJPQOwtaXKzZHw22HiUpDC_xu8yYyQX9KQX6C9f14soJp-LjgMeAbBl5mS1EtAPoo21rJ0cGjdmJ7pF3i3mOu93nVQpBpE88UpFEfawUojI2hQ955/s640/niigata+station+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(3) CoCoLo Niigata, within the train station building.<br />
Ponshukan ぽんしゅ館 operates a smaller branch in CoCoLo Niigata West Building. Adopting the same concept as its main branch in Echigo Yuzawa Station, there is a sake tasting corner here where one can taste test an extensive collection of sake sourced from breweries in Niigata Prefecture.<br />
CoCoLo Niigata: <a href="http://www.cocolo-station.jp/pc/?sc_name=niigata">http://www.cocolo-station.jp/pc/?sc_name=niigata</a><br />
Ponshukan: <a href="https://www.ponshukan-niigata.com/">https://www.ponshukan-niigata.com/</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Kxe1F6c-kK3Ag92M6Wezi4N1pbOoHgtVHYg3zk1eWEhXLZ7O3pI66NjRj-TMjhJaeCTSQofABf1JHOI8j-aM7neh3m6Y69DblbJr8Df5660FcHohgCqP_cGhsqgyBUcPCQd7G7e-3qiq/s640/niigata+station+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Poshukan, situated in CoCoLo Niigata West Building.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDkNSjCJaK2sYxVTOSfWb5_3fz4OY_gChIV_JgFz6f469q_jBMLhKW_cbqSd8t6NE2G8U3mjcQOCLNSfY_WwgGrUiPcARNqEs-pagVHt9NMfVSJWRJtn-_xnC5D-Sf6m00uOp7InoNnOJ/s640/niigata+station+aunt+stella+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Had dessert at Aunt Stella's Cookies Cafe, situated in CoCoLo Niigata East Building.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(4) Lovela Bandai ラブラ万代 and Lovela 2 ラブラ2, two shopping malls located about 10 minutes walk from Bandai Exit of train station. The tenants of the shopping malls include Uniqlo, GU, Muji, LOFT, Kinokuniya and Can Do 100 yen shop.<br />
<a href="https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/lovela-bandai/">https://mitsui-shopping-park.com/lovela-bandai/</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwdzjD3BdO28aELWZV-XKFqOewakEEz0in-5K2uG0mLhEwN9sriCe1GYt0PyZui9JsS4Rv5LyRcpEF_I4LSQUaYWfeucKvPRH6u2Wb6I99B3r8EWHCwxMYz5QVZNWTHXuyCIy9Rm9wm_b/s640/niigata+station+7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamps</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09Tm-mSCfVPfv5SUskHw6zOoiKNkcsU6BRhWxbCBWXwYsFEK9AH84Af-xqEwTStPRCmZpUKpLPFBlhEqK5GfdqBCvIj7QzvZQGA2pjZ46X_j8lZQ_a8-KkWmhNH4Tw8LDPi0TTtRsOcbE/s1600/IMG_3694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1588" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09Tm-mSCfVPfv5SUskHw6zOoiKNkcsU6BRhWxbCBWXwYsFEK9AH84Af-xqEwTStPRCmZpUKpLPFBlhEqK5GfdqBCvIj7QzvZQGA2pjZ46X_j8lZQ_a8-KkWmhNH4Tw8LDPi0TTtRsOcbE/s400/IMG_3694.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9lz-f1bpVxQZXNMBCs5x-9sF3toL7cAzeBDnZF-W6_W4aLEcA4mlM9aQre9PCtCCCL3Jr4aLKrruPhPm3-k_Qxig0o7ye-EPdNYPCQ6FAAGbNTK0lvcWrVhlhMYSfPbGWvPI9nN-loI1/s1600/IMG_3695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9lz-f1bpVxQZXNMBCs5x-9sF3toL7cAzeBDnZF-W6_W4aLEcA4mlM9aQre9PCtCCCL3Jr4aLKrruPhPm3-k_Qxig0o7ye-EPdNYPCQ6FAAGbNTK0lvcWrVhlhMYSfPbGWvPI9nN-loI1/s400/IMG_3695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiounW0RC_XuMm3DM0Pn-TJCTDgEPgw68Tcr1EOgW_-0iMdEHZELF5Tj3rcIxqTRShaLIqYl8jMGjUpLSbiYd6vBWdpEOXmQOdS2hTxk7OeAeIuqDfgwv1fwJeXe4HTpYMJ3uhzUDU0DBnX/s1600/IMG_3696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiounW0RC_XuMm3DM0Pn-TJCTDgEPgw68Tcr1EOgW_-0iMdEHZELF5Tj3rcIxqTRShaLIqYl8jMGjUpLSbiYd6vBWdpEOXmQOdS2hTxk7OeAeIuqDfgwv1fwJeXe4HTpYMJ3uhzUDU0DBnX/s400/IMG_3696.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0mG3AZl5M-m5El2mqk38eKcxIRTsIujB_HMBWbp4_E9H-6ga3bXy3lXiROkP29n5LmbG-rsJBhekAtHkvFpSYIZVmivDvmCsjeiWIZzgl9EYYZmpe_OyE3q2v7A2j8vWPpJE6P4xvEys/s1600/IMG_3697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1600" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0mG3AZl5M-m5El2mqk38eKcxIRTsIujB_HMBWbp4_E9H-6ga3bXy3lXiROkP29n5LmbG-rsJBhekAtHkvFpSYIZVmivDvmCsjeiWIZzgl9EYYZmpe_OyE3q2v7A2j8vWPpJE6P4xvEys/s400/IMG_3697.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-17392547342486411572020-05-09T10:07:00.003-07:002020-05-09T10:07:45.857-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Yahiko Station 弥彦駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lzrdDnyZSWg7Fyu3wJSZ6APCiPoOsWRmpzlBKM7jRfE3YHQDD2cqnv78dk7QYBXxlr14aEY_u2-OYBUoEZRB5DvtWP8rNO3myPLX4pb44Rk0I3uzH2YweIO_qoY8L-m6AD6npjOSO9Ag/s640/yahiko+station+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcppcPkZbVJols3Nc2HzJ4wwK95Wwv9q4qwIX41ogYrhqlaWcIRGILZ9kFHo_0MlDkUl4OWhj36DiMrfxRjUfWAg5NLMJHaoauz5kfGEboOMiBErSMCvcsb-LWQFmMj8GhBMvWoehlAE_/s640/yahiko+eki+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Yahiko Station 弥彦駅 is the terminus station on Yahiko line 弥彦線 and the train station nearest to Yahiko Jinja 彌彦神社. The 17.7 km long railway line connects Yahiko Station 弥彦駅 to Higashi Sanjo Station 東三条駅, passing by Yoshida Station 吉田駅 (which connects to Niigata Station 新潟駅 via Echigo line 越後線) and Tsubame Sanjo Station 燕三条駅 (Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線). The design of the train station building was inspired Yahiko Jinja and I am amazed by the level of details showcased by it. To mimic a shrine, there is even a temizuya 手水舎 where worshippers will cleanse their hands with water from the basin before entering a shrine, set up near the entrance of the train station. The vermilion pillars and beams make the building looked particularly stunning in the day; do keep a lookout for cute rabbits depicted on the onigawara 鬼瓦 of the roof as well.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPiLH8n4PFtokxzb5zJhQdJFCYguDum0gjBPM0_AIeFpKLarEXvH61eyyua5TxqazUBJvral0vn959WLA8cUYyxuE1tSl_DQDd_FCdlvP-gdF7QLl1mhHrdsrGIQVCTNWu8qm3-R8ahis/s640/yahiko+station+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8BC0INXPvK-QLM8h6szk19hfmNsAd-z0Jc51SnbECIFmN0SKGhCvzIPPnkmrmYVoX_uJ-v-xXS5riK-ZqD7f8a2cRokoxmJfnPsfjeX4HY78l5rp0zXIKFp9rYWW40_XwZOcLWozmK2P/s640/yahiko+eki+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN4nC8aLeYGedHITILfh_BGULFAKqJGgupd6Ns2KtyBFGQlj0uDsOY2X_tCgpczNVQfszfM1CMcliZUC0fMzl2NvDvoHx2gafJZvLtGtLai5Y6V-8QlPqOY87sKSX6K42CMkAYfcfg4rG/s640/yahiko+eki+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fgrJaz90ijJtfWuM-e6ilFFGp2ujJ7nL56gYtRa2tevrECs4UMo8-brlmCSL27y6el-6DEf5epFVp7O7V1Yf42OXjG_nRknaLkh-vAEceWHAm6tU6MOM2URaU6vjnanG_32NIkIzCDz4/s640/yahiko+station+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaia7QsXhFTxRI1ZMrvFJLre-Hc7TWnukWJLfAGPwydtejjc1f0rqkWs_Hom4Ps41MNaiTOO7Fjw2YMviEeDvY_urAli3nIFOSWh1goZTdbS_fJbsuFMPT9_aTMCW9CVQHdZBBGBejno1/s640/yahiko+station+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus stop, just beside the train station.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMpOKSEeKtLzkiJvNC1v-IS5QGYTV_Jbn2N4jEzCZ2DnuwWxUXto0QthQ5DccG_-E5aTX7OJKgEsSxnke2VoH45nRPw-NE3PzH-uYqarLHw1ymUdRS7jU7urWm9dbV86t0SgjJ8FbPhOe/s640/yahiko+station+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Yahiko, Tsubame Area Loop Bus Yahiko-go 弥彦.燕広域循環バス 「やひこ号」:<br />
- For Yahiko Jinja 彌彦神社, board Yahiko-go bus heading for Yoshida Station 吉田駅 and Vision Yoshida ビジョンよしだ and alight at the next stop.<br />
- For Yahiko Onsen 弥彦温泉, board Yahiko-go bus heading for Temari no yu てまりの湯.<br />
Yahiko-go bus only operates on weekdays and the fare is 100 yen per ride.<br />
<a href="http://www.city.tsubame.niigata.jp/life/013001000.html">http://www.city.tsubame.niigata.jp/life/013001000.html</a><br />
<br />
(2) Yahiko Koen 弥彦公園, about 1 minute walk from the train station.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQiAyOij233M4VyUdejgtL1HmxiLiMYK-UHYonOaQ9TMdFWT5DoLoB3yAvA91xl1AS2pEWx5NlW94V6Nr3uQnIH8lQ_KP1W8j6Yql8UaK-HA5k6aE7q8ZstkdaNAy05bpoy0tPP4n_sqR/s640/yahiko+tourist+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(3) Yahiko Tourist Information Center 弥彦観光案内所, 2 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1877.0591671295558!2d138.83046341135218!3d37.70031696328701!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5ff4ef62757cce9f%3A0x6a9d92d767aab629!2sYahiko%20Information%20Centre!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1589031864973!5m2!1sen!2ssg" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="400"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
(4) Yahiko Jinja 彌彦神社, about 10 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
<br />
(5) Yahiko Ropeway 弥彦ロープウェイ, about 20 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
The 1 km long ropeway ferries visitors from the base to the summit of Yahikoyama 彌彦山. A panoramic view of Echigo Plain (Echigo Heiya 越後平野) and the Sea of Japan can be captured at the summit of this 634 m tall mountain. Regular shuttle bus service operates between the base ropeway station and Yahiko Jinja as well.<br />
<a href="https://www.hotel-juraku.co.jp/yahiko/">https://www.hotel-juraku.co.jp/yahiko/</a><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfniETHlLu7HcFfgfd1pcjpJ5fJUwkff30bcl0FxgYm8LBoA1UXw7AB8q8okmqcT10kXa12hvlO7Qme6vCyGS44gnATPtoA4PVyBU2ZxBe9KPn3jKW1DAIpI-4PuI__KbAC25jAYuAonx/s1600/IMG_3621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1600" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfniETHlLu7HcFfgfd1pcjpJ5fJUwkff30bcl0FxgYm8LBoA1UXw7AB8q8okmqcT10kXa12hvlO7Qme6vCyGS44gnATPtoA4PVyBU2ZxBe9KPn3jKW1DAIpI-4PuI__KbAC25jAYuAonx/s400/IMG_3621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-85972605026049875582020-05-07T09:45:00.007-07:002020-05-10T08:22:18.607-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅, Yuzawa Onsen 湯沢温泉<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYr7X4gEZf-L3CjziE-psulWX6moVnI4ZHRvL8LPm7UsOmXSiyq5efTGc3q9zACpm0UjHc7Htjg9YZmCH5tigLI4LbH0ye04ofva7JjnO14OeomTA9oYPxrEUVWLADGhObMLw9VJyML7u/s640/echigo+yuzawa+eki+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅 is a train station on the Joetsu line 上越線 and Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線. Echigo Yuzawa is a train station away from Gala Yuzawa ガーラ湯沢, a snow resort which has it own Shinkansen station (only operational during winter season) and popular place to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Right at the doorstep of the train station is Yuzawa Onsen 湯沢温泉, a well known hot spring spot in Niigata Prefecture, which is frequent by many tourists and skiers especially during the peak winter season. We came here during autumn - stayed in one of the ryokan in Yuzawa Onsen for a night and visited Yuzawa Kogen 湯沢高原 on the following day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TMtMNI3O_HddIy2MzZgYBxtqFMc98DycgXR-YfR72m78hJxqrTevP_4soOERGPCaUum_HSKaLFgVXbzvg_KFKcBi8BSilACpo4kcI48LtsMzhP8eLQwRD6n3xO3M9TsqSsqYs8JYUUcL/s640/echigo+yuzawa+station+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First time seeing lockers dedicated for ski!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-05U8BRbaZiRf84_gsBXJsTqkrPlL2b2zJt-xCqMoIVadQmoX9bdoExkTKwHKkYg7Qfj9qx5_35tCbHa4jtJGTmnzYhSBXbsjNolBcHgq_MKSu5wZH7S0KAnLObSpIoqXXyZWPCHAtXh/s640/echigo+yuzawa+station+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Trains serving this train station include:<br />
(1) Shinkansen Toki / Max Toki とき via Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線:<br />
- travels northwards to Urasa 浦佐駅, Nagaoka 長岡駅, Tsubame Sanjo 燕三条駅 and <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-station.html">Niigata 新潟駅</a>.<br />
- travels southwards to Takasaki 高崎駅 and Tokyo 東京駅.<br />
(2) Genbi Shinkansen 現美新幹線, a special themed Shinkansen which commutes between Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 and <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-station.html">Niigata 新潟駅</a> via Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線.<br />
(3) Local trains via Joetsu line 上越線:<br />
- travels northwards to Miyauchi 宮内駅.<br />
- travels southwards to Takasaki 高崎駅.<br />
(4) Local trains operated by Hokuetsu Express 北越急行 via Joetsu line 上越線, Hokuhoku line ほくほく線 and Shin Etsu main line 信越本線.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
======</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>What’s nearby?</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(1) Echigo Yuzawa Onsen Tourist Association 越後湯沢温泉観光協会, turn right after exiting the train station from West Exit.<br />
<br /></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEYzelYXiKqUC7YuHD_gOCBx3G7DgPQbZLz2GjU0c5YIsICi-m8HG_qMDeDQB_A8mfjwipNEsSn9mUKpW6w-3UqycYf4_jm2dVHCd9hi7rVD_klNdpnbSXZHPEKw3r14kx4gag2lJPyWo/s640/echigo+yuzawa+eki+7.jpg" /><br />
<div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
(2) <b>CoCoLo Yuzawa Gangidoori / CoCoLo 湯沢.がんぎどおり</b>, within the train station building.<br />
<a href="http://www.cocolo-station.jp/pc?sc_name=yuzawa">http://www.cocolo-station.jp/pc?sc_name=yuzawa</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>- Ponshukan ぽんしゅ館 - Sake tasting</b><br />
Operating hours: 0900 - 1900 hrs (last order at 1830 hrs)<br />
<b>- Sake spa Yunosawa 酒風呂湯の沢</b><br />
Operating hours: 1030 - 1830 hrs (last entry at 1800 hrs)<br />
Fee = 800 yen (Adult); 400 yen (Child)<br />
<a href="https://www.ponshukan.com/">https://www.ponshukan.com/</a><br />
<br />
CoCoLo Yuzawa Gangidoori is a plaza comprised of shops and restaurants. Here, one can make last minute purchase of souvenirs before catching the train and/or try out local cuisine such as Hegi Soba へぎそば (a type of soba made by adding funori 布海苔, a type of seaweed, into buckwheat flour) and Tare Katsu don タレかつ丼 (instead of coating the fried pork cutlet with egg, Niigata's version is to dip the fried pork cutlet in a soy based sauce) without having to venture too far away from the train station. Fans of sake will be in for a treat at Ponshukan ぽんしゅ館, part of CoCoLo Yuzawa Gangidoori. In Ponshukan, there is a sake tasting corner where one can try up to five different types of sake from an extensive collection of sake, sourced from all the breweries in Niigata Prefecture, for just 500 yen. In addition to that, Ponshukan also operates a communal hot spring bathhouse (Sake spa Yunosawa 酒風呂湯の沢) here. What makes the hot spring here different from other is sake with 15% alcohol content (which is used in sake bath) is added into the hot spring water pool and its therapeutic effects include making the skin more smooth and improving blood circulation. <br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa570dmWkrzBrQM2-aaFDaQi2R0aWGwv3N50mvLF_7ebQ36Rw2yAgYl3kwQDYh6j5nWs1a47f27w72A13AHYCdrviA5buVCSr2ywnabpP9HE0nZ2cuR-2_UchDMAwveXgS30Py0QNhv3K/s640/echigo+yuzawa+station+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mk7d6z7rSCW9ALtwjL9-XAl_VsQwRLL2lmOEiyg8GBa_KI4IsTQSj72XhY8x3598GdtAAyihcJBEhs6gqvmwM2k-KOd3UX_dxD4RYwMlmKP3A7p6yrcLAHWHMtt00ng9fOvCao9UCdy_/s640/echigo+yuzawa+eki+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXquEINmpbp8oAC23_uBHCJT4tyljJE-A7BtnqNqVYuRoadc8yhFAOzQDxPyIfxU8SITLbAeTTCgXbI6UHX1yrfje_TRuPzvtuhBH0qk2EwwZLPiRpYwDpfMWvlXimf4oNNKvufqpMKcpy/s640/echigo+yuzawa+station+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(3) Echigo Yuzawa Onsen Street 越後湯沢温泉通り, exit the train station from West Exit.<br />
Many shops, restaurants, inns and hotels are situated along the 1.5 km long hot spring street. Keep a lookout for Kannakkuri かんなっくり, a complimentary footbath facility located just beside Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore Yukiguni-kan 雪国館, to enjoy a quick foot spa.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIuPtJxYIJW6Ljv4vUh1UwdIZnzmykp_Yz1vXUsqaEc-6o8t8ZkZFmyg8uQKIyh8zOm4ZUMFL_Rxh0sqZcCs0CkYu8kZw9KtIMJsGqekJgU6nFtaWyYjFEscM5Nvh5AA-NqibOb5nQo-z/s640/echigo+street+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg8QzePc3SNibgHoL6sdyuZkDxr-8yWMkzhn5k_vrGzymwO-bMS7Vq2LSlOrpXJNUQyyBDyUVW6h7wNVcOASKA6tpxBxvr9lmm6rFQcsISitCksQBJtiviaL0bxtMCAEiV6PYt1Crt9cA/s640/echigo+street+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEit0iQATKo4eZ00M0vymffeUD4UEWhAqZUehARc9rvfv-CkTEllgaF9Lp2gQmXev1lE5Etnyp-LaMF8dVZpWkNpqmZceaLTR0P9uJXeByYUuVqD5tpr5pMC2KpTjZdfRUFt3__UkyzcJ4/s640/echigo+street+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQrj0W1ziolvy6XnO8NOapMdcqTTtWPOcfZFaq6FyChFy5tw5YwMVqgubcA4vapt3oFYNKpfJ3trRdoNhZjRfZLL5EV8Pbhyphenhyphenkm_3Uz25rEz3u1NJp4d-113B99zeDTbEGK2v4FVlhv2oO/s640/echigo+street+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6MJ56fvLUVCNShy9RJPzzpSDKzsLEdMPXNG2uYgtyH12ieCjvjkRqq7Wn7hmu7ossMD5NsVBJCgnR8nDatpRff4ozwdrc3QsGcg25z1ZIksJ4F0GHBUnmLe3GE6q9xaDpFWulrhRy9B8/s640/echigo+street+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(4) Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway 湯沢高原ロープウェイ, 8 minutes walk from train station West Exit. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://www.yuzawakogen.com/yuzawakogen_charm/ropeway/">https://www.yuzawakogen.com/yuzawakogen_charm/ropeway/</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
======</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3ffjvg1nNVXWeopJcNGP6RNkrL9vtqBhSweLBm5_48HuGa5VZVCLeBMU9NVwn9AGdVnyNWgohs2ZSv_vncxXT5mYEydvAmqcuqdKCD0z99S2FrgAlxI01y9fEJCcVGZvIjAjpDM76w2G/s1600/IMG_3622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1572" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3ffjvg1nNVXWeopJcNGP6RNkrL9vtqBhSweLBm5_48HuGa5VZVCLeBMU9NVwn9AGdVnyNWgohs2ZSv_vncxXT5mYEydvAmqcuqdKCD0z99S2FrgAlxI01y9fEJCcVGZvIjAjpDM76w2G/s400/IMG_3622.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-59841864148382149412020-05-04T08:56:00.001-07:002020-05-10T08:23:39.941-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Shibata Station 新発田駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPfiCVQ8q3tqmP2gc8NlIVAw6QKdCIIZJD8pHS-bCikB7a9td8Ga0KXbenipm7N0FFSOO5pnK1jMBo_YwqgcPaOVp0h-5867hiooefe4F0lRTKUEExkqQJ3v4zef469W-5y_0FtlUZFCE/s640/shibata+eki+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Shibata Station 新発田駅 is a train station along Uetsu main line 羽越本線 and Hakushin line 白新線. Shibata city once prospered as castle town during the Edo period (1603 - 1868) and Shibata Castle 新発田城 is the main historical symbol of the city today. Another pride of Shibata city is Tsukioka Onsen 月岡温泉, a hot spring district located 6 km south of the main city center. Even though the nearest train station to Tsukioka Onsen is Tsukioka Station 月岡駅 (an unmanned station situated about 3.5 km away from the hot spring district), regular shuttle bus service operates between Tsukioka Onsen and Toyosaka Station 豊栄駅 instead. For our trip, we arrived at Shibata Station in the afternoon and visited Shimizu-en 清水園. After that, we headed for Tsukioka Onsen, where we stayed in one of the ryokan overnight.<br />
<br />
Trains serving this train station include:<br />
(1) Limited Express Inaho いなほ, commutes between Niigata 新潟駅 to <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2019/07/tohoku-2016-akita-jr-station.html">Akita 秋田駅</a> via Hakushin line 白新線 and Uetsu main line 羽越本線. Train stations served by this train include <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-station.html">Niigata 新潟駅</a>, Toyosaka 豊栄駅, Shibata 新発田駅, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-murakami-station.html">Murakami 村上駅</a>, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, Ugo Honjo 羽後本荘駅, <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2019/07/tohoku-2016-akita-jr-station.html">Akita 秋田駅</a>, etc.<br />
<br />
(2) Kairi 海里, a special themed train introduced by JR East in Oct 2019, which commutes between Niigata and Sakata (in Yamagata Prefecture), via Hakushin line 白新線 and Uetsu main line 羽越本線. Train stations served by this train include <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-station.html">Niigata 新潟駅</a>, Shibata 新発田駅, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-murakami-station.html">Murakami 村上駅</a>, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, etc.<br />
Website: <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/kairi.html">https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/kairi.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh-pjXOYXW37_CY0TFKmEuyH9lT91wnA_08XoK6wZI4g6a-gyGrFrC0-xipqENXt-CHdlTGoeT5S_zkgXr_HfYCjZeKdp77sHCIbeeOZIxUKlIyddSZqDbSlzqIhQmQ_C3sfxju1VNdw2/s640/shibata+eki+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>
What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus stop, in front of the train station.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Shibata city Loop Bus - Ayame Bus あやめバス covers two routes and it costs 100 yen per ride. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(a) Outer loop (clockwise direction) or Issunboshi-go いっすんぼうし号.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(b) Inner loop (anti clockwise direction) or Oyayubihime-go おやゆびひめ号. Though both buses go to Shibata Castle Site 新発田城跡 from the train station, take the inner loop bus / Oyayubihime-go to cut down on travelling time. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.city.shibata.lg.jp/kurashi/kotsu/bus/ayame/1001436.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.city.shibata.lg.jp/kurashi/kotsu/bus/ayame/1001436.html</a><br />
<br />
(2) <b>Shibata City Tourist Information Center 新発田市観光情報センター</b>, about 2 minutes walk from train station.<br />
Operating hours: 0900 - 1800 hrs<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1112.4203508853989!2d139.33332555130994!3d37.944447696157276!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5f8b3170695129b9%3A0x29a957f600931840!2sShibata-shi%20Sight%20Seeing%20Information%20Center!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1588603700671!5m2!1sen!2ssg" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="400"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12AqLJaiC-P2uQ01oZixqg-bZisoq750ZIuRAFwo0bkq_qWVOlOcknFtbiPK2u-40ZUXCiEuEYSsKRRvRnkx9KPwmHiJ_v1NWdrw7uItN0yga_YFfLeifTey-7tvZPBSpdE8XDirMXc4i/s640/shibata+1.jpg" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
(3) <b>Ichishima Shuzo 市島酒造</b>, about 5 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
〒957-0055 新潟県新発田市諏訪町3丁目1-17<br />
Sake brewery tour: 0900 - 1600 hrs<br />
Founded in 1790, Ichishima Shuzo / Sake Brewery was the first brewery in Japan that allowed females to take Shuzoginoshi 酒造技能士 (Sake Brewer) examination. The first female brewer to be certified a first class during the examination was also from Ichishima Shuzo as well. The brewery welcomes visitors to attend their sake brewery guided tour, which is free-of-charge and held daily in its facilities. The guided tour takes about 20 minutes and does not require prior reservation to be made. </div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://www.ichishima.jp/">https://www.ichishima.jp/</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmisfsVxR_FZYmq65ngY9tHjdpeStmRlzf1pKbQkjNOrGWIoYR8eeUT1JHLooaWP07rEsF72HnF1l5BThsgJPN0EmVCVuSWq7FYllKYsy_pG5BY6wK4xrbI_NZSgNMAuBNZlM402cuL2wd/s640/shimizu+en+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(4) Shimizu-en 清水園, about 7 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(5) Shibata Castle 新発田城, about 25 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs (Apr - Oct); 0900 - 1630 hrs (Nov)</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://shibata-info.jp/archives/sightseeing/%E6%96%B0%E7%99%BA%E7%94%B0%E5%9F%8E%EF%BC%88%E5%9B%BD%E6%8C%87%E5%AE%9A%E9%87%8D%E8%A6%81%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96%E8%B2%A1%EF%BC%89">https://shibata-info.jp/archives/sightseeing/%E6%96%B0%E7%99%BA%E7%94%B0%E5%9F%8E%EF%BC%88%E5%9B%BD%E6%8C%87%E5%AE%9A%E9%87%8D%E8%A6%81%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96%E8%B2%A1%EF%BC%89</a><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5kjtESFj1vheH9Vyo5DbDCXV8wx4rQ7JcR0BbzO5URLp3QKECJgzSIeXX_maAXN-1UeQJ2-mx8B6nTtqTAKOAzBzMvYhbG9JjSC7Z_-k12_AM6rGeJg4KK0NUqrDfRrJqU0zEckOn1d5/s1600/IMG_3642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5kjtESFj1vheH9Vyo5DbDCXV8wx4rQ7JcR0BbzO5URLp3QKECJgzSIeXX_maAXN-1UeQJ2-mx8B6nTtqTAKOAzBzMvYhbG9JjSC7Z_-k12_AM6rGeJg4KK0NUqrDfRrJqU0zEckOn1d5/s400/IMG_3642.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-80127338535338826962020-05-03T01:55:00.000-07:002020-05-30T03:52:50.709-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Murakami Station 村上駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW3q-_XuRUMadv4Ugym7LIw5ao3xzeijtOSy5YpjQPzrXnpOUpM5Njb2m-toaBiFUQqs-qdUUfpITRUB2thJxS8kwJPcO_Y7r4IM2Xk-q5c7szeEbUbg_reMad8w2cliIAFF7XbKnAp-X/s640/murakami+eki+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdy7r6_GttNE8DugYzCevhL7joNqURhNWppMtf-TxRJ5dIZqK6iRkDQ9rGwxCuX9liQsrgqtHxjsLGOEhlebfx2IDhaStuwz7vccEAOWsME_kmAfrPm911ZH84d-0Bx7N9EoU8XKRjVc5/s640/murakami+eki+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Murakami Station 村上駅 is a train station along Uetsu main line 羽越本線. Uetsu main line runs alongside the Sea of Japan coastline and spans across three prefectures (Niigata, Yamagata and Akita), connecting Niitsu 新津駅 in Niigata Prefecture to <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2019/07/tohoku-2016-akita-jr-station.html">Akita 秋田駅</a> in Akita Prefecture. Once prospered as a castle town, some of the remaining samurai residences and machiya (traditional wooden houses) can still be seen around Ogunimachi 小国町 and Omachi 大町. Murakami is also famous for salmon (called iyoboya イヨボヤ here) and beef (cows bred in Murakami city 村上市, Tainai city 胎内市 and Sekikawa mura 関川村, and meat graded A4 and B4 and above are branded as Murakami-gyu 村上牛). Senami Onsen 瀬波温泉, a hot spring spot discovered in 1904 when people were searching for kerosene in the area, is about 10 minutes bus ride away from the train station. Located near Sea of Japan coastline, Senami Onsen is well known for its abundance of hot spring water and mesmerising sunset scenery.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8tzci5XG6fapTiad0dr1L-U-TtAvqtuOqb2s2fZ6abTtkA34aPOjszeukz55php-sUTK8f6iYyungNDJ_6UPeTwQv1i1NRT0per1k2kyILK2P2NSASKwAKGwnuMIvBlLyyFxwcbFevMb/s640/murakami+eki+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p9ylfMNxOPXDzAOx2WAMwGIN74VGRutNEo4rXSCmke3Kl0yodmGSRykWPh2dOupUdW58DgP-va0P3BrDhwpkYhm8Xp2A4Cp-Px9nJjrfhWYmzcVo2jxA38-6TtkjeVV5wBM2rERFPV29/s640/murakami+eki+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlRoWHbeMTB7CQLHHD4GqPBIORPras_uOuiPXVc_mB_ytiAgL3sfCGZiaEEzQNVylcHZIJ0-kAF2xEHLpBIlq6AJd-jdwOy2OeiXttFpt09_JU8qdShdwOw0pZRGdIPeoRrM-8E8op4gB/s640/murakami+eki+8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Trains serving this train station include:<br />
(1) Limited Express Inaho いなほ, commutes between <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-station.html">Niigata 新潟駅</a> to Akita 秋田駅 via Hakushin line 白新線 and Uetsu main line 羽越本線. Train stations served by this train include <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-station.html">Niigata 新潟駅</a>, Toyosaka 豊栄駅, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-shibata-station.html">Shibata 新発田駅</a>, Murakami 村上駅, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, Ugo Honjo 羽後本荘駅, <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2019/07/tohoku-2016-akita-jr-station.html">Akita 秋田駅</a>, etc.<br />
<br />
(2) Kairi 海里, a special themed train introduced by JR East in Oct 2019, which commutes between Niigata and Sakata (in Yamagata Prefecture), via Hakushin line 白新線 and Uetsu main line 羽越本線. Train stations served by this train include <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-station.html">Niigata 新潟駅</a>, <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-shibata-station.html">Shibata 新発田駅</a>, Murakami 村上駅, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, etc<br />
Website: <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/kairi.html">https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/kairi.html</a><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus stop, in front of the train station.<br />
Bus services:<br />
(a) <b>Machinaka Loop Bus "Abessha" まちなか循環バス あべっ車</b> has two routes, the big loop (anticlockwise direction) and small loop (clockwise direction). Do take note that both bus routes are only in operation from Monday to Saturday, and it cost 100 yen per ride.<br />
- Big loop 大回り: Route covers places such as Shin-machi 新町 and Iyoboya Kaikan イヨボヤ会館. The bus makes five round trips on its day of operation.<br />
- Small loop 小回り: Route covers places such as Shiyakusho (City/Municipal Hall) 市役所 and Minami-machi 南町. The bus makes 10 round trips on its day of operation.<br />
(b) <b>Senami Round Bus せなみ巡回バス</b> makes a round trip from Murakami Station to Senami Onsen 瀬波温泉. Similar to Machinaka Loop Bus, this bus also operates from Monday to Saturday and it cost 100 yen per ride.<br />
<a href="http://www.city.murakami.lg.jp/soshiki/13/machinaka-bus.html">http://www.city.murakami.lg.jp/soshiki/13/machinaka-bus.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZPlx0umpQtZsy08wrimvCrELV3h8reL237yNXbFPKTCTkvtFhmfTcg2KACS-cpGI_WjY0nmFVGpy0a0HBCDxXpAGUN9Aext2PgMW6xuDD9OvH-RkNkVQvtiZM8G8bruyU3hq0YmzqLQ9/s640/murakami+eki+7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(2) Tourist information center 観光案内所, located on the left after exiting from the train station.<br />
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQOHPXTgg0mW7Z7ZoxGzXwYK4pvzkAjGX8RwCz2s3azG1kUsPc6MEGXuPcTZS8nct_5rEk5xJzxmwE8U7IUTS5xd9JFsT8N_-cZKLOmbvqsNknUpEV71wgV7T-bClWiGV4Hh0HCTE2hlJ/s640/murakami+eki+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(3) Iyoboya Kaikan イヨボヤ会館, about 20 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
<br />
(4) Murakami Castle Site 村上城跡, about 25 minutes walk from the train station.<br />
<a href="https://www.city.murakami.lg.jp/site/kanko/oshiroyama.html">https://www.city.murakami.lg.jp/site/kanko/oshiroyama.html</a><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamps</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK8FG0ud8sR2pLaw1_rSmHWI7vR_giTVlxUN3fHi4IwwGR_Z7MsM65e7ux_QiwyUM6UphjtfnCsYPFQ2HYuQbcv2O5kVAGF9SPPwCKrvhtb0IYnYtsgXH5E4-APMtA_dr74BYbtH2DrB6/s1600/IMG_3619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1582" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK8FG0ud8sR2pLaw1_rSmHWI7vR_giTVlxUN3fHi4IwwGR_Z7MsM65e7ux_QiwyUM6UphjtfnCsYPFQ2HYuQbcv2O5kVAGF9SPPwCKrvhtb0IYnYtsgXH5E4-APMtA_dr74BYbtH2DrB6/s400/IMG_3619.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uxiKNK8zYQNDBLd1azSuz7ZZnyh9dm_Ml_MmOv3HWwWpepLGLxEt7We6wQ6RkUBRxyKvqQ_e2xvQ9LJ4R_87pN-tS2TjAF2behPnBNyG9LrkPw3u8Y2bKIQpgYgnmDtNJticX5aEMz9p/s1600/IMG_3625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1595" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uxiKNK8zYQNDBLd1azSuz7ZZnyh9dm_Ml_MmOv3HWwWpepLGLxEt7We6wQ6RkUBRxyKvqQ_e2xvQ9LJ4R_87pN-tS2TjAF2behPnBNyG9LrkPw3u8Y2bKIQpgYgnmDtNJticX5aEMz9p/s400/IMG_3625.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0Murakami Station, 11 Tabatamachi, Murakami, Niigata 958-0854, Japan38.2203182 139.46357387.3248771999999995 98.1549798 69.1157592 -179.22783219999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-86479380695510979972020-05-02T06:11:00.004-07:002020-05-07T09:51:50.761-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Koshino Shu*Kura 越乃 Shu*Kura, Omigawa Station 青海川駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Travelled on 21.10.2016 (Fri)</b><br />
in Japanese: <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/shukura.html">https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/shukura.html</a><br />
in English: <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/shukura.html">https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/shukura.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5o4uHclrfFyo9QHnINx8_6Twi8jBjRnjQ2BgKrALQ5aOSzY_ARZ1mH0nDgW-Wx27c4GqJkAHAUQNIgUby69fagusKqgIEftM9Dso5Uo_6P3MhrMtFUSOo_99Dzj60dodsW6GTFFTDO6vB/s640/shu+kura+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i>Pride</i>. On this trip to explore Nagano and Niigata Prefecture, I managed to insert two special themed trains into my itinerary - Koshino Shu*Kura (from Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 to Tokamachi 十日町駅) and Genbi Shinkansen 現美新幹線 (from <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-echigo-yuzawa-station-yuzawa-onsen.html">Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅</a> to Niigata 新潟駅). Introduced by JR East in 2014, the concept of Koshino Shu*Kura was inspired by Japanese wine or sake, the pride of Niigata Prefecture. Fifth largest prefecture by geographical size, Niigata Prefecture is home to the highest number of sake breweries in Japan - as many as 89 sake breweries. Its name, Shu*Kura means sake storehouse (shu 酒 = sake, kura 蔵 = storehouse) and the asterisk symbol (*) represents rice (Niigata is famous for producing top quality rice which is also the main ingredient in brewing sake) and snow (Niigata is also a popular skiing destination).<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ449FORKgYublWrQsI34osP4tPlaQsur_-CojDyATyzLhMTDXPC1rk7UOiC88hf7KW7KVEtAQ6-vZkBwaJMwKC-qgbJqtvdu1l7XUiJb7N3rqfhggUKUhR4NmPFC6jNxyKQ0zVx31qM3/s640/shu+kura+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i>Cruise.</i> Koshino Shu*Kura covers several railway lines during its journey between Joetsu Myoko to Tokamachi. The train departs from Joetsu Myoko and travels along Myoko Haneuma Line 妙高はねうまライン to Naoetsu 直江津駅. Next, the train continues its journey along Shin Etsu main line 信越本線 until it reaches Nagaoka 長岡駅. As the section of Shin Etsu Main line between Naoetsu to Kashiwazaki runs alongside the Sea of Japan coastline, passengers can enjoy a panoramic sea view from the comfort of their seats while on board this train. From Nagaoka, the train moves further inland along Joetsu line 上越線 to Echigo Kawaguchi 越後川口駅. Lastly, it completes its final lap along Iiyama line 飯山線 and ends at Tokamachi 十日町駅.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_NK0k4lxVJRRDwxjFmtUiGb0Kiw4Jz5NXvwcGrrqtjydMIsgefp9cfozj4gsdJ4IEIaJwa9ZYIweuFqeT0OGHv4dBbrJg6B6ink2F43etADZxveSrgfDO5A2xt0zu3cZuf33N8YOtCpJ/s640/shu+kura+21.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Highlights</b><br />
<br />
Apart from the route between Joetsu Myoko to Tokamachi, the train also covers two other routes. The name is changed to Yuzawa Shu*Kura [ゆざわ Shu*Kura] when the train commutes between Joetsu Myoko to Echigo Yuzawa, and to Ryuto Shu*Kura [柳都 Shu*Kura] when the train commutes between Joetsu Myoko to Niigata. The train usually operates on weekends and public holidays; and makes a round trip on its day of operation. For passengers holding on to nationwide JR Pass, JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata area), JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass or JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can make a seat reservation at no additional cost.<br />
<br />
Train schedule correct as of <span style="color: red;">30 Apr 2020</span>:<br />
(1) Koshino Shu*Kura [越乃 Shu*Kura]:<br />
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1232 hrs)<br />
Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1450 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)<br />
<br />
(2) Yuzawa Shu*Kura [ゆざわ Shu*Kura]:<br />
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-echigo-yuzawa-station-yuzawa-onsen.html">Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢</a> (1309 hrs)<br />
<a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/05/chubu-2016-niigata-echigo-yuzawa-station-yuzawa-onsen.html">Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅</a> (1445 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)<br />
<br />
(3) Ryuto Shu*Kura [柳都 Shu*Kura]:<br />
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Niigata 新潟駅 (1306 hrs)<br />
Niigata 新潟駅 (1456 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJg587t7mF5_Vv-9z3YjqFfHiWxMDTjR2uExlBBRwSYKcNNr4AuHuznGgdr5nNjTuDeynBGS26Tvj0PsYJAUcvaEZgZROXC6W9yip_Kn5s6fjedJzJbhTynX4Lp7SZTckNjJrhwez0-stN/s640/shu+kura+13.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyalLJO09YwISNBqEo4hZlbU88juZE6EyF4Wr6pTBri_IRZw05vIu-GXNcQGstPIfeFIyIX8zfCRH-FjJ71v5F_YTOqI9mRj9q_CozxfKNuW44L6S3X-TA4-xcjyBi0WJ02THcjAeY6FWd/s640/shu+kura+14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sneaked into Car 1, dedicated for passengers who have purchased travel packages with View Travel.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Seats</i>. The three carriage train is donned in contrasting navy blue and white colours. The entire train is made up of reserved seats in Car 1 and 3 and a event space in Car 2. Car 1 is reserved for passengers who have purchased travel packages with View Travel びゅう旅行. The package includes a meal (menu specially designed for this train and changes with season), served together with Koshino Shu*Kura's original Daiginjoshu 大吟醸酒. There are three types of seats in Car 1 - box seats catering to groups of four, observation pair seats and kutsurogi (relaxing) pair seats, both oriented to face the wide windows for a better view. We were assigned to seats in Car 3 which has conventional train seating plan and a free space with sofa seats for up to 8 people.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ub7Xx5y0Jv6Z2VuA9EJh1UnY3DDPRAe3n1x5wSO-4aG_v_TuCrIYh9gBJ0S2hYMmht9F8QnGhEEI6v1Aeu-9yb_6jr1Ky_XU_68kRxv3HG82PqGdw1oULvGDIpNSPY5MrJNE9ZBOCIte/s640/shu+kura+12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our seats were in Car 3.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn19g0wstJ80S3EAVagxZvjRwds4C55z7QS8gpt1vb1JdA-rUi8cqZul90SmE5Pap5F3XNdFFDDRqvbWWP9_oIVDy5HYe3BKx2YqBDdEcZa1elTZxhM_6rNQ6NfmV6y67QX-zvnmIZWRa/s640/shu+kura+11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sofa seats in the free space of Car 3.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzSPpeTqr3-kj3rr8-meRUbke25FDsMgPa-brH2wjiSSSuaCkf_t7I0RiftrLrx6CfKWHS9doRStpvJM4eHnwtVCibcsmPBQ-Q3wcavTw1CpTbimLMYzcfCrql6ZGwL07A5RVbgcA6Led/s640/shu+kura+16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sake tasting corner of Kuramori. There are five different types of sake to try and the selection of sake is changed every two months.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaiH99HWc4QcCssfEARz5ONRB99WyraPPSW00UxitLCzIgjS9rL1aS0acnleN4lrCWG3jxCPiIH6Yj-L5hSkhleOx1NSd8hgOke9aTOx0pIceqQnFGL88HVgZim52SO0WnDWC-SZW44sU/s640/shu+kura+8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKvh-g9o8BhCW3xNew9bPGpzETf2LsPLX7UW0F_lvk_xtiWmIk-CtStre5YU9ejxUpFnftHXaTQFLVoBsgO1QBc3QqfiEuewFkU4Ms1y4maRqFt6iPZkgOLKzuGVUcPh3y-_1BWJcJuWl/s640/Slide5.JPG" /><br />
<br />
<i>Sake</i>. The main highlight of the entire train ride awaits in Car 2. Kuramori 蔵守 is a service counter where both alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks, bento and train exclusive merchandise (sake cup, beer cup, key ring, towel, etc) are sold. There is a sake tasting corner where passengers can try up to five different types of sake, all manufactured in Niigata Prefecture. Though none of us are sake connoisseurs, we decided to give it a try in support of their effort to promote locally brewed sake. Chose three out of the five sake and bought grilled scallops to go along with the drinks. One of them was Daiginjoshu, high quality sake brewed from rice grains milled to 50% of weight or less and the other two were Junmaiginjoshu 純米吟醸酒, sake brewed from rice grains milled to at least 60% of weight and without addition of distilled alcohol.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYmDG4CyqalbMxQOROkEmd-6LUUaU8gr35MCkVcN5P5T7JvARkhAAipG8aKUwpwkQw1vrWcovW9B_we7CjcicGgIpE6xa3mIOeYmM2hyphenhyphen6udTEyrBFfN85QRHrq5WKuuR2mt3SAar22NOM/s640/omigawa+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYLM2VYfDdUtZtBvEfCaxsOTEP9zc00RW838HWbTvTtBGgoledJsAbZIrgicO3QgtuCqHYVjY3DgjXaC2XCnd6uy3g5H6QnpIpi9QhGkQyfzmrUt3AnXZ962rTmX9-M9RLZf6seZEq6YW/s640/omigawa+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGRIJ61_cVmWYBneNPhyC7EWDIBuus8Ty6cNPi1dMALIXEiqr6p94oCWlaNujqrbqQt3THAROwqzmF0yBIOaK-QM7hKYmWfbbh6NP8LH6weg0mgrj-sXI6a5uDvr27x72WW9sPzpJXpNGn/s640/omigawa+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRILX_pMAq7LWN_tY5a1CN56NuudghIaY0kFv9Q1iwAjgJcrAncv1QzlbapdxN54N_suhIhCfq-AbyLzQAtGza_YqGYWEdCRLHE_x4njZr7MDY5-b_PUl9195-8R_lQo7D6vjOWLBf1hPR/s640/shu+kura+5.jpg" /><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Sea</i>. About 40 minutes after departing from Joetsu Myoko Station, the train pulled into Omigawa Station 青海川駅 and made a brief stop here. Passengers were allowed to alight the train to explore this unmanned station along Shin Etsu main line. Said to be the train station closest to the Sea of Japan in Japan, the relaxing sounds of waves crashing onto the shore could be heard immediately when the train doors opened. From the platform closest to the shore, I could feel the cooling sea breeze sweeping towards me and see the whitewash waves hitting the rocky coastline just beneath my feet.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xCIhVfyAu5G73WBO9TYwcKv_38hHG0KuOTgX4HCW0jLb3l8KLDZj1Ru8F6YNQaff8TEMCPMLyTCcNSu4E9oJ86CZNIFeNjnu5Q1wZAUODSY3ozljf2QL79KWMUXs6gXGJb5carfMJgHv/s640/shu+kura+15.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pH_uYA0kitVzG6tN3GLQ1W5vmqBD6boI8__jmJC_L3dg_Ek5rivG21WcIg1NT7WiBPVwmRks32dNTahr53s9iBn4n5f1ubQ0zCprT20BoSluwUB_rUg5QR5E4vSG00vYOdHlWm_1Q_sk/s640/shu+kura+17.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LB4ipiU1YXw" width="560"></iframe>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Music</i>. What pairs well with alcohol? Music, of course! The atmosphere in the event space (in Car 2) is completely liven up during two jazz band performance sessions held during the train cruise. Passengers gathered around the band, with drinks in their hands and swaying gently to the rhythm of the songs. One other event which took place on board the train was a complimentary sake tasting session organised by one of the sake breweries from Niigata Prefecture. On the day of our train ride, we had the opportunity to try four different types of sake (Daiginjoshu, Junmai Ginjoshu and Junmaishu 純米酒) brewed by Echigo Sakura Brewery 越後桜酒造 located in Agano city 阿賀野市. The entire session was pretty engaging, as the representative from the brewery did a brief introduction of their sake and welcomed everyone to taste their signature sake; while the audience responded with queries, followed by sake sampling. This is the first time I was exposed to so many different types of sake. After this experience, I have become slightly more receptive to Japanese wine and I like Daiginjoshu the most out of all, for its light and refined taste.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz5AGWTuQHhVECrAmI-BSadabJTeTAjcmdunAsc_yoE4C_yWgiVdXVa0G9dOV0sGneM1hCZt70VsEOash3PSg0BLeD9B7R5tSKnLYIUAfZ66jwYJbIdYThi7Gv5VRc0mpN_IXfyVg_CmU/s640/shu+kura+9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4-VL9wAe62_QF-lN8YLtLIqkj3a3eqS9G4HfU0nfi2IZM0nZLM9gzf4iH5HkJfLufVknYjzY8_z8efoZNgyj5eZCj490OpoiKgHPIgXns1WMBH2yFb59HdUD3bs_43G31eIuwuD3nIbl/s640/shu+kura+10.jpg" /><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamps</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3bgmONeNS9GkW4J88vrlSj5l0cJe4bUpGANxMbgGGjqqYwxerrLy16m6d2nKneXZNc9YwM_akac2V5-rcT2LamTkQalM7CKp7IynG2WWY3n4NajpB4N3LpkbCpMmqSzXvdwpRZ2DSMdp/s1600/IMG_3602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3bgmONeNS9GkW4J88vrlSj5l0cJe4bUpGANxMbgGGjqqYwxerrLy16m6d2nKneXZNc9YwM_akac2V5-rcT2LamTkQalM7CKp7IynG2WWY3n4NajpB4N3LpkbCpMmqSzXvdwpRZ2DSMdp/s640/IMG_3602.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdi861GHsbXDuIRc1s88Qb-IGAnK8yYh76fvMI2WzGS_eYfsaMMMfVHGNyxbEt1UZYVK5_dFhHo_s0ZCUS2thKpniSFCC8rwUQGSFZBzSEwuwHDJB2ukmsSuJkynLo3VLWelgLevQmyw8/s1600/IMG_3603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1165" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdi861GHsbXDuIRc1s88Qb-IGAnK8yYh76fvMI2WzGS_eYfsaMMMfVHGNyxbEt1UZYVK5_dFhHo_s0ZCUS2thKpniSFCC8rwUQGSFZBzSEwuwHDJB2ukmsSuJkynLo3VLWelgLevQmyw8/s400/IMG_3603.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Video: </b>Ryuto Shu*Kura was previously featured in NHK's Train Cruise programme. </div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E0Op_JfRp74?start=2193" width="560"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-64992730875623989562020-05-01T01:51:00.000-07:002020-05-01T01:58:57.424-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Shinshimashima Station 新島々駅, 2 Day Free Passport 2デーフリーパスポート<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtznRBrcQWhVovRHKtih_tczixXxpC0UXYXi2hdNPe38futudkUssS1wPM7_7mIsGrc1YA7-sWYiNu2wnaZ02hq_qv3_ZmXY18KyJpugzFEAmbosN41kNFS70IQ4hNDRlZQmfiIWSvfkGT/s640/shinshimashima+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Shinshimashima Station 新島々駅 (AK14) is the terminus station on the 14.4 km long Kamikochi line 上高地線 operated by Alpico Kotsu アルピコ交通. It takes about 30 minutes to travel from Matsumoto Station to Shinshimashima Station by train. Shinshimashima Bus Terminal is connected seamlessly to this train station, where regular bus services operate from here to several sightseeing spots in the Northern Alps - Kamikochi 上高地, Norikura 乗鞍 and Shirahane Onsen 白骨温泉.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnUbg4XFmtzjxdW5P8Nns1poCBvVfybhKp_ngCAwx1QGZIDurKw7q3-2iTETVIB-noUzZ9EcznPsrjCP0kGHZ2TA4DV0pUaiQVaFkRoy-clSKSqo9B3475YBb5o8Ui17BmBYDnZOvr7H8/s640/shinshimashima+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-dqZJoGAZxjNpfz-UweEz6ie3-NcF-q8YN1_VG6mjKO11DU_OBV-dwKc4vxpxQ_VeafNWikPB0zYQi6X9iCcmgPWWxwY6dC3HXRYyrOWJNz-G8bJzr4zazwEm1rDGjJtKwJmny2ZrDRE/s640/shinshimashima+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>2 Day Free Passport</b><br />
For my trip, I purchased a 2 Day Free Pass to cover my travelling expenses incurred during bus rides within Matsumoto city, train rides between Matsumoto and Shinshimashima, and bus rides to Kamikochi and Shirahone Onsen, over two consecutive days. Apart from unlimited bus and train rides (operated by Alpico Kotsu) for two days in designated area, one is also entitled to discounted entrance fee to several places of interest such as Matsumoto Castle (610 yen > 550 yen) and Matsumoto Art Museum (410 yen > 310 yen) with this convenient transport pass. The 2 Day Free Passport can be purchased from Matsumoto Bus Terminal, Shinshimashima Bus Terminal or Kamikochi Bus Terminal.<br />
2 Day Free Passport = 7,000 yen<br />
2 Day Free Passport + 1 [3 consecutive days] = 8,500 yen<br />
Website <a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/2day-free-passport/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/2day-free-passport/</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteI8CNKaphQkWZgonWf_cdGRqZn5W91LbeiBKl3SeKWl4KS1IQEPbufKrJ0Jo62h7fgoIA6R7YhNVB0C2FxHsZLHz0xjnDq9Ls0MIm28GXXZMitFChXcHznKgiBTsz_J-1kHZKyjNrj9K/s640/IMG_3578.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Shinshimashima Bus Terminal 新島々バスタミナール, just beside the train station.<br />
Bus services:<br />
- Shinshimashima 新島々~Kamikochi 上高地:<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/shinshimashima/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/shinshimashima/</a><br />
* Bus ride from Shinshimashima to Kamikochi takes about 1 hour.<br />
- Shinshimashima 新島々~Norikura Kogen 乗鞍高原:<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/norikurakogen/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/norikurakogen/</a><br />
- Shinshimashima 新島々~Shirahone Onsen 白骨温泉:<br />
<a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/shirahone/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/shirahone/</a><br />
* Bus ride from Shinshimashima to Shirahone Onsen takes about 1 hour.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmN8d_hao8FNzCayxJ_QCNEFwlQe4AlkjrPR1MvX7mSNrzaOiexHQ46hmeXgMv0pRWPCSdS3f-TcCKB92O0rTLc1xrHMAYxskhGRHAaybDX5E-sLYBnklPgwvHiFazI3Gmr-lIVdcc-tsl/s640/shinshimashima+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ys3txtFXZMu9e29b0XgP9CXpCxrpx9HODLOHui0ZFn-o_NzYShnewRmJI07SYzYLmKYsV52TLbrHIw35u6Ko25CPIBybyTMqKCcvBkp8wn4Muq8rvmQTqxSI7OHInX_P0TjMYho2QMCZ/s640/shinshimashima+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ19QqQObm54n_twqXBXnJfk8mAHn9PoqkezwBSQUqGXu4sIzZ3S_uOzdSb5PaCAk6CNkS0djtu38DQrbzIgDRp_TuwHqVoctQkNluh2XhjKpPSppATcaRJZURdqBe6ckGigQ6Ckmawb8D/s1600/IMG_3579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ19QqQObm54n_twqXBXnJfk8mAHn9PoqkezwBSQUqGXu4sIzZ3S_uOzdSb5PaCAk6CNkS0djtu38DQrbzIgDRp_TuwHqVoctQkNluh2XhjKpPSppATcaRJZURdqBe6ckGigQ6Ckmawb8D/s400/IMG_3579.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-5728977409852765972020-04-29T08:37:00.005-07:002020-04-29T09:11:12.302-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Hotaka Station 穂高駅, Hotaka Jinja 穂高神社<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKDMpvbUoKaQ4KG7kMmwtDPJnlFFFkzymwe0USezc-yOHRPqOt_tbSeCCaEWzlVbfbX4aW3sfz7jYM55jYtchBruZlBkQgVsMNGSgGo0AbZ60Hh8UQ0_Rg4kfHFMCdU3TitN-nX_cnNbU/s640/hotaka+eki+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Hotaka Station 穂高駅 is a train station located along Oito line 大糸線 in Azumino city 安曇野市. The city lies east of the Northern Alps and is blessed with abundance of mountain spring water, favouring the cultivation of rice, soba, wasabi, apples, etc. For my trip, I came to Azumino to visit two of its well known places of interest, Hotaka Jinja 穂高神社 and Daio Wasabi Farm 大王わさび農場. However, I hope to return to this city again after discovering that it has so much more to offer, especially the beautiful scenery of vast agricultural fields and mountainous landscape. The tranquil environment here also saw the birth of numerous art museums, such as Tokuzan Art Museum 碌山美術館, Azumino Arthills Museum 安曇野アートヒルズミュージアム and Azumino Chihiro Art Museum 安曇野ちひろ美術館.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43Wm1z_ER2fsoP4EpTWp6tgxA4EtG6nZDMWfUt4niWZQ80hnbuxOwU_6HI2rBeUtHGFzfuDHs36yl4ktRmeM0hOtydgJ6TcrmVIA7ao2Ntqy5J1f-3lQIeRbs-A_BEiN8OO4P2IUCA-1U/s640/Slide4.JPG" /><br />
<div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Trains serving this train station include:<br />
(1) Limited Express Azusa あずさ, commuting between Shinjuku 新宿駅 and Minami Otari 南小谷駅, stopping by stations such as Matsumoto 松本駅, Hotaka 穂高駅, Shinano Omachi 信濃大町駅 and Hakuba 白馬駅.<br />
(2) Resort View Furusato リゾートビューふるさと, a seasonal train commuting between Nagano and Minami Otari, stopping by stations such as Matsumoto 松本駅, Hotaka 穂高駅, Shinano Omachi 信濃大町駅 and Hakuba 白馬駅.<br />
Website: <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/resortfuru.html">https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/resortfuru.html</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQN1ukdQBh-YROVukfnZWRmZ84CMAAkRT6VueNYFKFhDY5fGU6fdOm_9poxbvZR8Bi0YDUANny50rxZu3a_4Ypk14Ri7aO4GASV4Ipf_fChnyOB0ENm2IxI7j8CnXkpkOS-8ZDqIIb8wo/s640/hotaka+eki+7_azusa.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Limited Express Azusa.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
======<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>What’s nearby?</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
(1) Bus stop, in front of the train station.<br />
Bus services:<br />
- Azumino Shuyu Bus East Loop Daio line あずみ野周遊バス 東回り 大王線, departing Hotaka Station for Hotaka Jinja 穂高神社 and Daio Wasabi Farm 大王わさび農場.<br />
- Azumino Shuyu Bus West Loop Chibiro Alps Park line あずみ野周遊バス 西回り ちひろ アルプス公園線, departing Hotaka Station for Alps Azumino National Government Park 国営アルプスあづみの公園, Azumino Arthills Museum 安曇野アートヒルズミュージアム and Azumino Chihiro Art Museum 安曇野ちひろ美術館.<br />
Both bus services are available between 3 July to 31 November - daily during the summer season; on weekends and public holidays outside of summer season.<br />
<a href="https://www.azumino-e-tabi.net/transportation/azumino-excursionbus">https://www.azumino-e-tabi.net/transportation/azumino-excursionbus</a><br />
<a href="http://www.azumikanko-taxi.co.jp/2011/02/040-03.html">http://www.azumikanko-taxi.co.jp/2011/02/040-03.html</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
(2) Tourist information center 安曇野市観光案内所, located beside the train station.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2coC7rnxrXdf22G-xkCQWA-Eb0J9BcX1hVPfXaMWIYNRhkyjZaGEx-mBZz9YqAI_oUCRHzz2hSEZsFfqc_bne-GWlB1Jn3Oc4JlhHG_QG__MFZYbck7D-Q8uWEV6Vl-3dRs16zf-uuMW/s640/hotaka+shrine+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQU0XOvYVBrmXYdejs8c9lGNLV2zGusJz17CmuDlWdgqHGKFM1nno9xu_G9fkxbEzxHZJnrw7DeA1A6oZ04IlUfOPwThIpXJ-LHLjeMMOFlc46QD9z3qZI3epmXrzU8lqgjF4-DGkUjVt/s640/hotaka+shrine+4.jpg" /><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
(3) Hotaka Jinja 穂高神社, 3 mins walk from the train station.<br />
Surrounded by towering cedar trees, this beautiful wood constructed shrine is where Wadatsumi no Mikoto 綿津見命, a sea deity and ancestor of Azumi clan (who migrated from northern Kyushu to Azumino) and Hotakami no Mikoto 穂高見命 are enshrined. One trivia about Azumino is that there are many Dosojin 道祖神 or traveller's guardian deity being worshipped in this city. Keep a lookout for a huge stainless steel Dosojin (depicting an old couple), which was erected in the premises of Hotaka Jinja in 2013 (Heisei 25), to commemorate the people of Nagano Prefecture achieving the highest life expectancy in Japan. Hotaka Station building was also inspired by this shrine which explained why its exterior bears some resemblances as well.<br />
<a href="http://www.hotakajinja.com/index.html">http://www.hotakajinja.com/index.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbg-UA9uA77ItG5mKUOkS8gKpjuLfoMT74BC3F9X5ISANcpA0xLpkdcKc1GsqXvwyk98IWjGKMGqSf04TZu-LfcBWrHlt8xrXZyK-pr4P2WeyT0HRt8HfWzOCgE2QherScNjkcSxxA3dw-/s640/hotaka+shrine+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRMNR1gUQwvL5Hh7KvMQZzEY7hyphenhyphenH06k7EpjvasPsLECiJ_OnVqJRYzUv10uean-VEZFsiYOBrUsZNcuxKsgaORCBtS10GmbLOo67D4WlzxgTP4YrPMu4LGny_syBiCTG-k__TA5TZV2Og/s640/hotaka+shrine+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stainless steel Dosojin depicting an old couple, symbolising good health, longevity and loving marriage/relationship.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(4) Tokuzan Art Museum 碌山美術館, 7 mins walk from the train station.<br />
From its outwards appearance, one may mistaken this building as a church. This art museum, nearest to the train station, is dedicated to the works of Moriye Ogihara 荻原守衛 (Rokuzan 碌山), a sculptor who was born in Azumino and brought modern western style bronze sculpture to Japan. Turn left after exiting from the train station and keep a lookout for a brick path which will lead to the art museum.<br />
<a href="http://rokuzan.jp/">http://rokuzan.jp/</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAkpb4-y7KD5J4o90Wg6x8svaEVIVtG2gbhBxaGcrYWrVNpOGqN3B8zWcb1SEuG3QVOHROYPyiscSCPGppXogq3YI0Ya6k5xJf0RaWrOllMAo0FWEPZMxRZlslj-WuqieaOQSavI1mGqO/s640/hotaka+eki+8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFfI-sRJEnM7NxWwh8GcbB76JmZ8MixrMzMX1dtRTqm7zD6oBEqklthOyzyOj-CDRi3AVxRJIX4QHH73YCj-d4mYEZIftAONhrjRXlZ_n7xd7hN3dl6snFwaV44NsAXeUk5Midlqq3H-r/s1600/IMG_3515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFfI-sRJEnM7NxWwh8GcbB76JmZ8MixrMzMX1dtRTqm7zD6oBEqklthOyzyOj-CDRi3AVxRJIX4QHH73YCj-d4mYEZIftAONhrjRXlZ_n7xd7hN3dl6snFwaV44NsAXeUk5Midlqq3H-r/s400/IMG_3515.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-12311536117193305822020-04-26T07:24:00.002-07:002020-04-26T07:24:36.715-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Hakuba Station 白馬駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_jCuFHIMbhKy2lrVis6VsegGFhtqMEwMaoWvWQbXDEFsRnFkfm_GM3ttP14o4JFPynlO1RWsbmWMpLmUlUcTU5TWN3DiQj4unJEmLGPGaP66jHP4lfZ35pAxVzPQBkYjHKa1zRNn9iP7/s640/hakuba+eki+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Hakuba Station 白馬駅 is a train station located along the Oito line 大糸線. The 105.4 km railway line connects Matsumoto Station 松本駅 in Nagano Prefecture to Itoigawa Station 糸川駅 in Niigata Prefecture. Hakuba-mura 白馬村 lies east of Ushirotateyama mountain range 後立山連峰 which forms a section of the bigger Northern Alps and Hakuba Happo-one Snow Resort 白馬八方尾根スキー場 was one of the venues in Nagano Prefecture which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. Came to Hakuba because I wanted to visit Happo-ike 八方池, a small lake located 2,060 m above sea level in which the reflection of the three peaks of Hakuba 白馬三山 (Shirouma dake 白馬岳 - 2,932 m, Hakubayariga dake 白馬鑓ヶ岳 - 2,903 m and Shakushi dake 杓子岳 - 2,812 m) can be clearly seen on its water surface on a good day.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQqAnPw9No67cO8B_FUWMOfxN8YVswIb1KFziF9M_6b0yImUSBsngSgGGrcfsJrdAzyNLdGVOHvAmwyVp-XIqEWHcTd0mSqPGyAQf_ByWluy9IVXnmx9AYbMXOcYAL6kjBBuQ_P4z0aHs/s640/hakuba+eki+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_kqeQ8Eg21XirKHRA3etTdOQiZmhjQ1QhLgNh5cBVdoh2PpSH6Q07D8f1NZeR1GqNgBIkn4y12tSvmFra0I7Pmuoj81x6FSppQ3_ml1DUICoAZLonDh5UfsF4y9TPJUbVk3AGr_1hKkK/s640/hakuba+eki+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Trains serving this train station include:<br />
(1) Limited Express Azusa あずさ, commuting between Shinjuku 新宿駅 and Minami Otari 南小谷駅, stopping by stations such as Matsumoto 松本駅, Hotaka 穂高駅, Shinano Omachi 信濃大町駅 and Hakuba 白馬駅.<br />
(2) Resort View Furusato リゾートビューふるさと, a seasonal train commuting between Nagano and Minami Otari, stopping by stations such as Matsumoto 松本駅, Hotaka 穂高駅, Shinano Omachi 信濃大町駅 and Hakuba 白馬駅.<br />
Website: <a href="https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/resortfuru.html">https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/resortfuru.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg36i4Xf2ZINVY9PtrbYETyrURFezNtS4dG2efFmkd_e4Nb7AUcyzJsRL4YPXiTZ_BalfHbUI-6m5BITpjHzQH51irQbv2mRUWFQweh_GjGYQ7yT2MlE55Q84CiCviSyoEB-jxsqMR9Rm6/s640/hakuba+eki+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus stop, in front of the train station.<br />
Bus services:<br />
- Alpico Bus Hakuba Station - Hakuba Happo - Tsugaike line (白馬駅 - 白馬八方 - 栂池線)<br />
- Alpico Bus Hakuba Station - Hakuba Happo - Sakurawa line (白馬駅 - 白馬八方 - 猿倉線)<br />
Bus schedule: <a href="https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/hakuba/">https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/hakuba/</a><br />
* Both buses stop at Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal 白馬八方バスタミナール, the nearest bus stop to Happo Gondola Lift Happo Station 八方ゴンドラリフト八方駅. From the bus stop, it takes another 15 minutes to walk to Happo Station.<br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykY8S7VeKxFVkxbzzZfK3mN27TAGd2iG7doUDjmzOLLqgKWIJeLtaoSNyxelGTdzKhS6oQgdqHGw2tfCcg6ZVONyADGWbx52W0h_NUIlU-NARQ2QVlEEBxGZ0k2VMx4J98UMswlE2kqJ-/s1600/IMG_3514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykY8S7VeKxFVkxbzzZfK3mN27TAGd2iG7doUDjmzOLLqgKWIJeLtaoSNyxelGTdzKhS6oQgdqHGw2tfCcg6ZVONyADGWbx52W0h_NUIlU-NARQ2QVlEEBxGZ0k2VMx4J98UMswlE2kqJ-/s400/IMG_3514.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0Hakuba Station, Hakubachō, Hakuba, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301, Japan36.6959624 137.86377795.8005283999999975 96.5551839 67.591396400000008 179.1723719tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-10408101227886770192020-04-25T07:22:00.002-07:002020-04-26T00:20:48.409-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Yoritsuki Ryori Kurabu 寄り付き料理 蔵部<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Visited 17.10.2016 (Mon)</b><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIeuvIegHyZ4lZuQihCRCOl9_o-Q4qjEuY2CZjH5IBOo12WlKnD0c0g-0Nw0KJyPp17ECL2jLoOiwUXFOydAevhrej9quJbEDgHDb5z7kO24rf2KK76j7ltL2HyuShVR-TRi25g6odxFg/s640/obuse+lunch+7.jpg" /><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rustic</i>. Lunch was the first thing on our mind when we reached Obuse. Came to Kurabu 蔵部, a restaurant occupying a portion of the sake warehouse of Masuich Ichimura Sake Brewery 桝一市村酒造場. Kurabu serves yoritsuki ryori 寄り付き料理, a term used to describe the meals that are prepared for the people who had to work and stay in the brewery during the winter months. The restaurant aims to bring out the best in locally sourced ingredients using simple cooking methods, an important element of yoritsuki ryori. Stepped into the former warehouse with traditional "kawara" style roof and was greeted by a rustic ambience. The open kitchen concept draws the diners closer to the chefs, as well as the delectable aroma of food that are prepared upon order. Staying true to its traditional roots, Kurabu even has a kamado 竈, a traditional Japanese charcoal or wood fired stove, which they use to cook rice in a copper pot, just like how it was prepared for the sake brewing workers in the old days.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHx66eb29QY23WJ5GQOMZ1e_KuDq7E7MJs0EPMwIYODw1XXcGUnchhQUJher2NDBxlAUVSKemIpVl7hW4I7MsqHywyjRZ-D6dRQrJ4AgnI7Hh7_eUQed7VyiOYwzm-ZEdiKPvKarodeo5/s640/obuse+lunch+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gFpm4PhTYv7iuwjN79YJ_rf4yX8kImXq0DuEJi5OuNvRtPf0be5m_L5OGS_I0WZKf4LI9Ihym7vzAa_UXxUejzdxrO4CAHyBS0quOxyLNN-LozftuU-BJ7_vrbFKlzLWEVQD8QjK9cxB/s640/obuse+lunch+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
On the day of our visit, there were four mains to choose from its lunch menu and all the mains are served with rice cooked using kamado, miso soup and side dish.<br />
- Thinly sliced layered roast Shinshu beef 信州産牛肩ロース重ね焼<br />
- Roast miyuki pork marinated in miso and sake lees みゆき豚ロース味噌酒粕漬焼<br />
- Sashimi platter comprised of three different types of fish お造り三種盛り<br />
- Grilled fish of the day 本日の焼魚<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7MLf8HWRp7OQKOLexftiWtHYLKjB7VxyeCjUUBLkWnFyOe5TwO3EgmnqWx4ziNIrsB4e5D18eIpw0b6rgYtB7Sv3qoMSvJtiwH9GJ-m63FDAZP3X_COQZmP8bmnv3Dv4Clgbwz1D_ACQ/s640/obuse+lunch+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Conventional washoku meal: sashimi platter served with rice, miso soup and side dish</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Back to basics</i>. Had the sashimi platter for myself and ordered the grilled fish of the day for my parents. The sashimi platter comprised of fresh catch of the day - Kanpachi 勘八 (greater amberjack/yellowtail), red seabream 真鯛 and salmon サイモン, and salmon was served as the grilled fish of the day accompanied with salad. Though there are no complex seasoning to overwhelm the palette, these simple washoku (Japanese cuisine) are equally satisfying and are apt testaments to what "less is more" meant. Looking back at all the Japanese food I have eaten before, fresh sashimi together with fragrant Japanese rice is one of my favourite comfort food that I will crave for every now and then.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFYSK4gRPOh_ClLjCibwh69bUOyrixBzsOCWKy8C2wjoL2b9ed7y5PHBCUBiq1iRY68cCbFOEsqn-chSP154jFltO7puahiBMDPqL_t-DNQNw5RKOw1iC5rY0K3P9hBceZCyavPMAlWBT/s640/obuse+lunch+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1f6N2xuLlAJufIM1opmKEj4cW67OGTXa2JiBpSCEn41UHvgOGX8f27iwjUk4_XO0Dy8N1mHypuIZD9Dm0IDD8t47NrMG47gunPj_50r5j46632OHjPPMdGNK5EgR1VplE9mYIr67KdeI/s640/obuse+lunch+8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Yoritsuki Ryori Kurabu 寄り付き料理 蔵部</b><br />
長野県上高井郡小布施町大字小布施807<br />
Operating hours: 1100 - 2200 hrs (last order at 2000 hrs)<br />
<a href="https://www.obusekurabu.com/">https://www.obusekurabu.com/</a><br />
<br />
<b>How to get there?</b><br />
10 mins walk from <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2020/04/chubu-2016-nagano-nagaden-obuse-station-obusedo.html">Nagaden Obuse Station 長電小布施駅</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d951.1168797594792!2d138.3160020585959!3d36.69461843719424!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x601d895df4375897%3A0xaba2bd68bdc99731!2z5bCP5biD5pa9IOWvhOOCiuS7mOOBjeaWmeeQhiDolLXpg6g!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sjp!4v1585412081037!5m2!1sen!2sjp" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0807 Obuse, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano 381-0293, Japan36.6948025 138.31666565.7993685 97.0080716 67.5902365 179.6252596tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-4065514471152229172020-04-19T01:53:00.003-07:002020-04-19T01:54:04.769-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Yawataya Isogorou Honten 八幡屋礒五郎 本店, Yokomachi Cafe 横町カフェ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Visited 16.10.2016 (Sun)</b><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEesOUgwtH2NM28Zd3ZGw6gvdmA9uhNZhMHxGxw2mjBjxaLvelafYop380ZGouzk2M_1z6QLfO52yLqBhOw9Wyw9BjMFmeaIzQ1vEawrnLY29j_7F1Qr_Fq2sdbpvfjnCVPNgNed3Bbej/s640/yokomachi+cafe+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz6P6zel-INzdQDYzXsbd69kNc6kPScOzVJlfP_bYzuvyYt9q3ODLC9VzRpgT5sps2F4IW9OAwKYT3ytzso_JXfwWg9EbhKMzwKNMQC9_P6bUumli3CFaj8VmpU5RfzSOrVeuS_6ad7Qv/s640/yokomachi+cafe+7.jpg" /><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Essential</i>. After visiting Zenkoji, as it was still too early to have dinner, we decided to rest our legs in one of the cafes in the vicinity. Came to Yokomachi Cafe 横町カフェ, a cafe attached to Yawataya Isogorou Main Shop 八幡屋礒五郎 本店. Wataya Isogorou is well known for their shichimi togarashi 七味唐からし, a spice mixture which is an important condiment in every Japanese household. Personally, I like a dash of shichimi togarashi in my bowl of udon to add a tint of spiciness and enhance the flavours of the soup. The main ingredients of Wataya Isogorou's shichimi togarashi are chili pepper 唐辛子, dried citrus peel 陳皮, seasame seed 胡麻, hemp seed 麻種 (otane), shiso 紫蘇, Japanese pepper 山椒 (sansho) and ginger 生姜, and the ingredients may differ from places to places. In the past, there was an old saying that buying a can of their brand's shichimi togarashi served as a proof that one has visited Zenkoji. Till today, Wataya Isogorou's spice mixtures are popular items and souvenirs that travellers will bring back home with after visiting Zenkoji.<br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdf4VHSLLC4mA1Hi7hPpH1KCTmrId3aj2DLN7OAcko0orEyqWETBnVe1hEQ2avoog6hCpyN17P63fwDKZZ3gym80sV7CtZ3Hu3JXVs8vMLbxTQH4tKssj_bwrR4_2kOPyjR6wmkKFpkhUa/s640/yokomachi+cafe+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ahnslVVUoRq2A4zzn0Kb_oBriQgDcW49SDc-b_8tCwvTlXqPteN8qxx3eylcSEDhQoWYvJHC1VAzxEJ8w3PNYlshsCXEPgYBZHFXiauaLgLA-It8eW4UDu8ysrg80_GPONdvdeOIn7TG/s640/yokomachi+cafe+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Yawataya Isogorou has been around since 1736, when the founder first started selling shichimi togarashi around Zenkoji. The main shop was established in 1952 (Showa 27) and underwent renovation in 2008 (Heisei 20). The shop looked like a kura (traditional Japanese style warehouse) and is easily identifiable by two gigantic chilies hung on both sides of its main entrance. Was surprised to see quite a number of people shopping inside the shop and this goes to show how popular their products were. Walked through the small crowd to come to Yokomachi Cafe, which is located behind the shop. In contrast to the shop's traditional exterior, the cafe took on a modern and chic design. On every table, there are a total of eight different cans of spice mixtures which patrons can test on their food to determine which best suit their taste.<br />
<br /></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvtuUwgEQYV0KAlVo5MR-lWzug28ByqP1m25yLQHGW9WlSKXDzLCOq5yOenPT1rGab9HSWCq84ncSA1R1-pMhDLgxZRMSyAIw2bwFw5yJYQ_e2-BgeNF2qN-CjaRSgWkYQ1zwOVcrrPLy/s640/yokomachi+cafe+4.jpg" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93Os5H-_6z27LGmRKovkzD-mO12Wdq-1PAKFKVtksXdoccq7FbyqBC-p3Bj_PxcvY2ZfaSQzY3Jf-_gfnWRUk2cqyce7hZGklC8jnKhFLIMkX_rbvRBc98zNqqqerKalUBMG4T7Sf7FVt/s640/yokomachi+cafe+3.jpg" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br />
<i>Spice macarons</i>. Apart from desserts and drinks, Yokomachi Cafe also serves several types of curries, such as beef curry, butter chicken curry and vegetable curry, which are suitable for a lunch appetite. We ordered two sets of desserts to share, accompanied with coffee and tea. Both desserts were seasonal items introduced during autumn - crispy and fragrant chocolate chip scones which were baked with honey and eaten together with cream, chocolate sauce and yuzu powder (650 yen), and a set of miso flavoured cakes and macarons made from sweet potatoes and sesame (480 yen). In fact, macarons is one of their signature items and the flavours of these macrons are definitely not the typical ones we get from our usual sweets and confectionery shops. Was surprised to find out that the flavours included the seven ingredients of shichimi togarashi, such as chili pepper, ginger and sansho. The shells of the macarons are made from almond powder and meringue, with butter cream sandwiched between the shells. Was not adventurous enough to try out the spice macarons at that point of time and went for the safer option (sweet potatoes). Have made a mental note to try them the next time I visit Nagano again.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgys0s1uYjUst1RGogpIW8YLZ5F6XGTK8iXE62mZjA5hdt3xLodA0GBLr_Huyk6CUX1RU1u0T-mGIge1mYqokwcodgkZHQIl7mOh9s2pNplS4oUNVikcRQ2aqPwcmb8cTilawAWS-cw7DSD/s640/IMG_7092.JPG" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDK6iBdiZy9_soV_rsi_Xmn-AKK67RI62_22kp5F4uIRjPBxYCvsyR9xEUmqDSaiu71V_mspCID_HEuXO36TFP-b38y3uCipE_NYBTqi37HzyJD92j-3lpA8OV9dUOOREbfaccjhI2cK4z/s640/IMG_7095.JPG" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Yawataya Isogorou Honten 八幡屋礒五郎 本店, Yokomachi Cafe 横町カフェ</b><br />
長野県長野市横町86-1<br />
Opening hours: 1000 - 1900 hrs (last order at 1830 hrs)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://yawataya.co.jp/yokomachi-cafe/">http://yawataya.co.jp/yokomachi-cafe/</a></span><br />
<br />
<b>How to get there? </b><br />
<br />
(1) By bus. Board any bus from Nagano Station Zenkoji Exit 長野駅善光寺口 Bus Terminal Platform 1 and alight at Zenkoji Iriguchi 善光寺入口.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d3806.29741771642!2d138.18570657845422!3d36.657622576009466!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x17ed87064afc7539!2z5qiq55S644Kr44OV44Kn!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1586788959941!5m2!1sen!2ssg" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-9925369806454193132020-04-12T07:38:00.001-07:002020-04-26T00:20:27.596-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Nagaden Obuse Station 長電小布施駅, Obusedo 小布施堂<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeqfF6MgdtZqd7WR6fvmgo9CInQhfQRgIBYzrj5B__cQKHN78YGNoq_hb4x4c8C3kdSYOLv4FlBlN9sog1TT7NV-4YSTmknYBIXLyPTxNRervlQsLOSBbq6lWM25vN1GURhWj5br0FGDl/s640/obuse+eki+9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDtfhe8zzb41-VtQg1BNA4hkfZh4ckYS8sDG9E0h9tS3TJBAZ5EW3p51bDHhf3QHhMqdieDgXpEbZaV7fk6V3I96so9iZinRqZ5MrtpKExUGDraCX6f8LP1Y-Y_y6Rc9XNhXMSHArSnqu/s640/obuse+eki+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Nagaden Obuse Station 長電小布施駅 (N15) is a train station along Nagaden Nagano line 長電長野線. Obuse machi 小布施町 is a town located northeast of Nagano city and it takes about 40 minutes to get here by train from Nagano. Obuse is well known for its high quality chestnut since the Edo period and the credits go to the acidic soil here which favours the growth and production of fragrant and sweet chestnuts. In this town, there are many shops offering a plethora of sweets created from chestnuts that will bound to make one spoilt for choice. Other than this famous agricultural produce, Obuse is also known as the place where Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎, a renowned ukiyo-e printer during the Edo period, visited in his later years. Most of us may have come across images of this stunning woodblock print titled "The Great Wave of Kanagawa 神奈川沖浪裏" and this is one of Hokusai's most famous masterpiece in his career.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveAcoy7W3gkBojggq4BR58qtDmFEm8-OIvi4XG-fQSs7Ve5gCDiicbqMiKxDogpbdYHMGGq299gqbBaeZIbjqJSf6cl50gvXs1scUdS9IIJrXB9kAe9JLuYGHwq8YL1EPqdOdssO-HWhD/s640/obuse+eki+10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u>Trivia 1</u></i>: A panoramic view of Hokushin gokaku 北信五岳 (five mountains of Hokushin) can be seen from the platform of Obuse Station. The five mountains are Myoko-san 妙高山, Madarao-yama 斑尾山, Kurohime-yama 黒姫山, Togakushi-yama 戸隠山 and Iizuna-yama 飯縄山.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhiHcVjBjamDa6tPGJSabI5vvpaOSsuVHm3aVRPNMChAmXlQu7-U6JhyphenhyphennzDv13abJzHiN6hse09uEgJlwIB7MNd0its-HrHlcRF1upUhgdGEB0JVEKOMFes413SFr0kII2ItbBZhcDcst/s640/obuse+eki+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u>Trivia 2</u></i>: If the timing is right, you will be treated to a view of ripe apples in the farm located just behind the train station. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzajL5Uf2z6rhuP8GMIVYqdppyfwR1RnyaKMP4ND8qghpgpZMyj_3yXEYuAnvOZnyYUEyUyKM6CGe8_0L2V_liKcioFH2zwm7siZOfbBrMimffABu_7b-pqqDskNBQ0UnxGmm_VUFVwPkl/s640/obuse+eki+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFx_sDHJDBIEXYHHy3rV1h9chNYjr1t-bDvzsX0CYd6bMOvkmgf7r-UN0dZsjDpGUOmicrNkO6gRsin8vYEj7eLdEYfqQDHDOh2yqvIv5cKL1s1qGYkjfXIM-wI_XJeQTUsoYv13nnQKV/s640/obuse+eki+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpuH_PemhKLLC-q0gWjKb4OSVHSGZaf0fZZxmzYpy92QFzeRJYKFUGkSB3SXVhrnZHnvmBsVaO1vKsXgYhLIz0ayPDnsG5fkASdf-tT_08HczSSB7hzaXDD-_i1BROzkkjoepbjk7NyC1/s640/obuse+eki+8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>What’s nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus stop for Obuse Roman-go bus おぶせロマン号バス<br />
This is a loop service that operates on weekends and public holidays between April and November. The bus departs from Obuse Park 小布施総合公園, stopping by Oirase Station 小布施駅, Hokusai Museum 北斎館, Obuse Museum おぶせミュージアム, Obuse Onsen おぶせ温泉, Floral Garden フローラルガーデン前, Jokoji 浄光寺 and makes the return route from Ganshoin 岩松院.<br />
One day pass = 500 yen<br />
* Pass can be purchased from Obuse Cultural Sightseeing Center 小布施文化観光協会 located within Obuse Station.<br />
<a href="https://www.town.obuse.nagano.jp/docs/roman.html">https://www.town.obuse.nagano.jp/docs/roman.html</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbE4jwrn5dMfklR6No5ltGZk0ajyo-eFBwgR5QS5D3wVG7crNMGBPRkijDXeGRU9XDy_THx9Lf6ZcyDKpwLkwiRaFnE9nXC0ysh04I9XLDbt7FDLFXHIB32Wf8gdNoAVS03ra8AQKBISd/s640/obuse+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u>Trivia 3</u></i>:Some of the footpaths here are laid with wood obtained from thinned chestnut trees.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZAZeptdmLgMQejDcwNgjFqjXNia1Ysd_WA2NPBwPM-63Whl_EpmyN_XPcY6HyRZ1yz2wZmFw60YWzWVBLZ6lTEDJb7IDWCiWb9CW1YxIMBy4nsOg5Y2I0abVFRi0S3bCMJXm3T8u9RoI/s640/obuse+7.jpg" /><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(2) <b>Hokusai kan 北斎館</b>, about 10 mins walk from the train station.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs<br />
Admission fee = 1,000 yen</div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://hokusai-kan.com/">https://hokusai-kan.com/</a><br />
<br /></div>
Established in 1976, the museum holds a collection of original artworks that Katsushika Hokusai left behind in Obuse. Two festival floats which the ceilings were painted by Hokusai (when he was around 85 - 86 years old) are also put up for display in the museum as well. Did not visit the museum due to time constraint.</div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qlV3Dh66RdiQdtkIyNN3uEHyresg1V44Hq0HzAZkaeh3-89rUy2Sp6I-Zd5z6H6J33MrbXBjRiFP-bmpP6PV7iIqhia-xNbwsIHRHsp72oI-DCU-CepDlv3eaDu9DbotKWVr8BPX29S8/s640/obuse+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpXlX74b8Eoe3UNJ1b17n74AiBLEujIDbOoHL8clB48uta_4qM9hskNSmiWXaWEJvl7LTfraQK92N8XSyUNUhabks9Q3Kl_CdJ32zW4LLNwQIRMBXAo4hqoxRg-WN5PuiLIKS6NK-9Tm-/s640/obuse+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnl4NhIVaoRhCPj41rdxfX51Gwju1W60Bj7aRGaUHr_ghCrLE-nKGJDvsu4roM-6Q70clWhMFmn8UAGlpmRPuqAJeIr00Ozkh6R_QPoqphVSdP56Go_mlXioQwZW3MfFst1qKMqqI6kV4f/s640/obusedo+1.jpg" /><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(3) <b>Obusedo Sanfuro 小布施堂 傘風楼</b>, about 10 mins walk from the train station.<br />
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs<br />
<a href="https://obusedo.com/">https://obusedo.com/</a><br />
<br />
Obusedo is a household name in the town, specialising in chestnut sweets and confectionary. After a satisfying lunch at Kurabu 蔵部 (a restaurant which is also managed by Obusedo), we dropped by Obusedo Sanfuro for desserts. We were eager to try chestnut sweets which Obuse is well known for and we each bought a chestnut flavoured ice-cream cone with chunks of chestnut in it. Very delectable and highly recommended!</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1599.578493439787!2d138.31647798348774!3d36.694765318254824!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x601d895df4375897%3A0xb8702e1b3a243754!2z5bCP5biD5pa95aCC5YKY6aKo5qW8!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1586680381113!5m2!1sen!2ssg" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0Obuse Station, Isemachi, Obuse, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano 381-0201, Japan36.6989409 138.31286155.803506899999995 97.0042675 67.594374899999991 179.6214555tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-64596700415319283872020-03-27T23:06:00.003-07:002020-03-27T23:06:43.330-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Nagaden Yudanaka Station 長電湯田中駅<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28H6Z8SWsHoVWSggGys9gjALIwZep87sI9qnf9w-q2_tm9P1gtx8IHsIelSWDSUdVRud_QbE62jYGyscHq4eruYtRc9JEYXfjgwkFyVw1Y6sMc-jDbT-LFWafifo_Yvevqogs8T2xzhCO/s640/yudanaka+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Yudanaka Station 湯田中駅 (N24) is the terminus station on the 33.2 km long Nagaden Nagano line 長電長野線. The train station is the gateway to Yudanaka Shibu Onsenkyo 湯田中渋温泉郷, a cluster of nine hot spring spots - Yudanaka 湯田中, Shibu 渋, Shin-Yudanaka 新湯田中, Hoshikawa 星川, Honami 穂波, Kakuma 角間, Andai 安代, Kanbayashi 上林 and Jigokudani 地獄谷. Yudanaka Onsen 湯田中温泉 traces its origin to more than 1,350 years ago, while Shibu Onsen is well known for hot springs waters with healing properties which gave rise to its reputation as "Tenka no Yakuto 天下の薬湯" (translates to world famous medicinal hot spring). From the train station, we transferred to a bus to visit Jikogudani Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen 地獄谷野猿公園 or more famously known as Snow Monkey Park スノーモンキーパーク), a popular tourist attraction where visitors can see wild Japanese macaque bathing and relaxing in hot spring waters.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsHqLkX62f8Xwnz_y00IpayAFqzecBuaTKSnh7-iOL5YWf005ZmGtLnLB2HFZgsi_ftDHXVdeFGAR7RkY4mbrdtrwArRGgmq9Qi78bkoF8I3NAFmqgdqjteZLr3P9A44LIvNfi3SH9DXz/s640/yudanaka+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtceUyQxgTJwF1709HplJzcLyUQHj6lkz02mb64gQBbOOTZNH-fpHuoRGr9VcADFJYz6Im0EHHILLKAsia1A-XttIGoEFWFSmXBHHhZhLMWcS8HvSETR9RLN32ElLTgETGaYPpFRK8ntl/s640/yudanaka+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RAfnXuFWtqbZCk1uFWcE8CRJIvq-TOriZoyPZ-0KA4XFWDWigPbba5GlB-rHd9P-RimVRLofO1FN8NH9uM-tq3xr77MCd6hyphenhyphenDMHEZQKU1mNb7z0duVWJrGjskkOfjKMMTXsL5_31NMl1/s640/yudanaka+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZ-CNzY0fDbszR0Z4jJ90sAGhM7Lbiv3GKJzMjWS7Ew-PfEFLIQfbbo_JGNKzOG4q-7uUXrh3-dyp6Dzs2ic0wCg6VCkCwt47g5TUkgmaWYaqBEkH2yCLyHbL2-_SOb9Vf_b5BJoJYcgB/s640/yudanaka+8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
=======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Bus stop, just beside the train station.<br />
- Nagaen Bus Kanbayashi line 長電バス上林線 (Bus 20) heading for Shibu Onsen 渋温泉, Hoshikawa Onsen 星川温泉, Andai Onsen 安代温泉 and Snow Monkey Park スノーモンキーパーク.<br />
Bus schedule: <a href="https://www.nagadenbus.co.jp/local/diagram/timetbl_pdf.php?route=NKN01">https://www.nagadenbus.co.jp/local/diagram/timetbl_pdf.php?route=NKN01</a><br />
- Nagaden Bus Shirane-kazan line 長電バス白根火山線 heading for Shibu Onsen 渋温泉, Hoshikawa Onsen 星川温泉, Andai Onsen 安代温泉, Snow Monkey Park スノーモンキーパーク, Oku-Shiga Kogen 奥志賀高原 and Yokoteyama Ski Resort 横手山スキー場.<br />
Bus schedule: <a href="https://www.nagadenbus.co.jp/local/diagram/timetbl_pdf.php?route=YDS01">https://www.nagadenbus.co.jp/local/diagram/timetbl_pdf.php?route=YDS01</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKrPrH0_GiNmNs5q6M82oXB4Rw0jopZROgwHdppF2Wl1t1r8JFi01OGBG61Vdoye3oGeTPfWPmmS3BQehm_0CpXkUkA7wtwtK4iLXJGRuiIaU9X7gI4RhuQS9e6XaCB_JLc8lUonUlI3e/s640/yudanaka+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
(2) Kaede no yu 楓の湯, a public communal bathhouse located just beside the train station.<br />
Because of its close proximity to the train station, one can see train arriving/departing from the platform from the resting area of Kaede no yu. Did not manage to visit any of the hot spring spots of Yudanaka Shibu Onsenkyo nor soak in this facility which utilises the area's natural hot spring waters. Instead, we relaxed our foot in the complimentary ashiyu (footbath 足湯) situated just in front of Kaede no yu, while waiting for the next train to arrive.<br />
<br />
<b>Kaede no yu 楓の湯</b><br />
長野県下高井郡山ノ内町大字平穏3227番地1<br />
Operating hours: 1000 - 2100 hrs (last entry at 2030 hrs); closed on first Tuesday of every month<br />
Admission fee = 300 yen (adult); 150 yen (child)<br />
<a href="http://www.town.yamanouchi.nagano.jp/kaedenoyu/index.html">http://www.town.yamanouchi.nagano.jp/kaedenoyu/index.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib87tZM1W7xDSU-g19k92AtR8zN2HuCWkYLzMdL3IGHT2DDeWFDWdxv8f7nj1Kuajy050j0tZMS-vyjGRwNLQ_ef5CdJfd0UzzhWYghj1VEd6J2tqpGAzbouLIR0bQcF3dXm_L-bdxeBKq/s640/yudanaka+9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4UbySEz2-Ua9phcAs2ONw5JWKyBvd2ZSKhxX20zgUj0UnogcKnHb_kdIGh7v9MFs89JXDzt1LqU0zs3UZhVaP2qMC4C1HBXVuFvF3kM7oAp0mMyUpETEBExqmoFA7CV6iZ7V8aheeJPQ/s640/yudanaka+11.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BliJa5w_6Aon49KnAYglxW3bevoe42RvtqG0nXjt78egUta_-Nk8GkxsBr1hPTeL-8PeSvPt0PdB9ZlJ9hYF_fnLU1qeTd-WB4oL9_zMCridH6EMvxiEC26b_dy2s0r6WiiuJM2qhpNq/s640/yudanaka+7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VhJZb8M_9qxPdyJwXglmRxEWbIZwUGU-B72Fs6R1RdEhryyAe0_-64PhLBTIBinXIc49vUAT11fsar9HabTCnJqBreQIeVvmwzpNWbb3NSnvkAmfPipysJNsdvgL9Cd0E1nifyIVWhDJ/s640/yudanaka+10.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9muBKir0abHrBe_2Z4iu6qroT0HGaODAbgckADR_jDD9JbT1zNSHBMchUrelZRWhU_OraD1KSvwsIrc0ogH4ecYIZScnhH39v97uavPo4I619adrl6nW-h2oVdu0XcBSteP9a2RoU7pw/s1600/IMG_3325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9muBKir0abHrBe_2Z4iu6qroT0HGaODAbgckADR_jDD9JbT1zNSHBMchUrelZRWhU_OraD1KSvwsIrc0ogH4ecYIZScnhH39v97uavPo4I619adrl6nW-h2oVdu0XcBSteP9a2RoU7pw/s400/IMG_3325.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-33286298428021980452020-03-21T07:30:00.002-07:002020-03-21T23:42:11.307-07:00Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Toyoko Inn Nagano Eki Zenkoji Guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Stayed 16.10.2016 (Sun), 20.10.2016 (Thu)</b><br />
Booked thru' Toyoko Inn's website.<br />
Single = 4,579 yen (16.10.2016); 5,437 yen (20.10.2016)<br />
Twin = 9,504 yen (16.10.2016); 9,028 yen (20.10.2016)<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoTKl1LhXjlb46nf42yQin_1ru5dhKuK8P7z0ED60taE2lgRmkbFtAsIC4ZOJWNZXHMU7_xurMVk1zSl2JpWMRjrYZt2GlEdGO5Z0618nUboHF8ydOOKYeDSmQG0YoLhpvBKf7PH20DqZ/s640/toyoko+inn+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAkITc__qQhJrCatzY_41w4ECUIQ5eEPMeXbE0dSGzYabWccI0n6lkNEcp9HXqvHijq_NIFrUQH_pYaQF_iLtEPv23b-XnwYsGftT60rWeaa8oBwoBRKY_bYJtg7asrGsgLgVGTj15D4n/s640/toyoko+inn+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTobc-z1_8vUX9BJfRx0g_-hc0pIzjShW_9-ChUPOO8fQAQLFrh-pMTFXU37GlsXT87fPj71cZ8TTN3jOGTIbVJ5r7mWFGMFNgoIloi-eZFctmndkfY55UZqLT3GcxpEh4lMDH0hKBjELL/s640/toyoko+inn+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuvNX3nae_qjRTE0HLMvYEYiQ1knJ16ewD5Zd8OYqNGFvUiYXPFigWmsCdR5fiMmZN96IBgWB57lvRwch_WBIuqje6TEDOSuNsZVcqtEPv9aJNyhrd1poonc9c2fo7X6u2xUsF6LdLNgC/s640/toyoko+inn+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i>Pit stop.</i> Stayed in this particular branch of Toyoko Inn on two separate days (first and fifth day) because Nagano city was a pit stop for the first leg of our travel in Nagano Prefecture. After a night's stay in Nagano city, we packed light luggage and visited Obuse 小布施, Asama Onsen 浅間温泉, Hakuba 白馬, Matsumoto 松本, Kamikochi 上高地, Shirahone Onsen 白骨温泉 and Azumino 安曇野, and finally made our way back to the capital city on the fifth night. Currently, this is the only Toyoko Inn branch in Nagano city and is situated near the main train station and shopping malls. In addition to its convenient location, similar level of services is provided in this particular branch.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmWoNXxjkmVV5wBhVIIJXa0Gye_2ewccKx3k-YdmFBjSaOrAM5ntid9AnK7BaFPuBG311ZoN3bV9cw1BcrF5L7EiQl7bBWIQFPmfqi0V_p5NE-qDgpW50efHvpiFHJkOLwnf4Lc1a9hKR/s640/toyoko+inn+nagano+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<i>Perk.</i> One other feature which I like about Toyoko Inn is that it tries to incorporate regional dishes into its simple yet delicious breakfast fare. During our stay in this particular branch, we got to try Shinshu soba 信州そば during breakfast and it was delicious! As the terrain and weather in Nagano Prefecture favours buckwheat agriculture, Shinshu soba has been highly acclaimed as one of the best buckwheat noodles that one can find in Japan.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGo_epVakc4fkAr4GtBQA94ke5HXjL3jeYq8xfM1XDF71hwoLaKTHn9I66btEYFJsBUBqU3M-P07z-YIYyXagK-RAcms4GUHyNDsZMz3Ov4p2dL1F-_xB2438Wg8TRPbDYmCKp0h7KYXG/s640/toyoko+inn+nagano+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>What’s nearby?</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(1) <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2017/01/chubu-2016-nagano-niigata-nagano-jr-station-nagaden.html">JR Nagano Station 長野駅, Nagaden Nagano Station 長電長野駅 and bus terminal</a>, about 3 minutes walk away.<br />
- JR Nagano Station is one of the train stations served by Hokuriku Shinkansen 北陸新幹線, which originates from Tokyo and ends at Kanazawa 金沢駅, in Ishikawa Prefecture 石川県.<br />
- Nagaden Nagano Station is the terminus station of Nagano line. Yudanaka 湯田中駅, the train station nearest to Jigokudani Yaen Koen 地獄谷野猿公園, and Obuse 小布施駅 are two notable train stations on this railway line.<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(2) Nagano Ekimae Post Office 長野駅前郵便局, about 3 minutes walk away.<br />
<a href="https://map.japanpost.jp/p/search/dtl/300111252000/">https://map.japanpost.jp/p/search/dtl/300111252000/</a><br />
<br />
Post office has become one of the places I will look out for whenever I am in Japan. Apart from buying stamps from here to send postcards back home (one of the habits I have cultivated over the years), getting the regional exclusive Postacollect postcards is another objective of my visit to post offices. To date, Shinshu soba (2017 - 2018), Zenkoji (2015), Kamikochi (2012), Matsumoto Castle (2010) and apples (2009) have been featured on Nagano's version of postcards. <br />
<a href="https://www.postacollect.com/gotochi/area17/">https://www.postacollect.com/gotochi/area17/</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
======<br />
<br />
<b>Toyoko Inn Nagano Eki Zenkoji Guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口</b><br />
〒380-0824 長野県長野市南石堂町1315-8<br />
<a href="https://www.toyoko-inn.com/search/detail/00212/">https://www.toyoko-inn.com/search/detail/00212/</a><br />
<br />
<b>How to get there?</b><br />
3 mins walk from Nagano Station Zenkoji Guchi / Exit 長野駅善光寺口<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" aria-hidden="false" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d3201.298677493856!2d138.18534631115028!3d36.643264673452244!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x601d86934552a7f7%3A0x7a8efeebe713eda6!2sToyoko%20Inn%20Nagano-eki%20Zenkoji-guchi!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1584783647704!5m2!1sen!2ssg" style="border: 0;" tabindex="0" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-92116538951025826092019-11-10T07:57:00.004-08:002019-11-10T07:58:29.679-08:00Hokkaido Revisit 2017 三回目の北海道の旅 - Bibaushi JR Station 美馬牛駅, Christmas Tree クリスマスツリーの木<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS8W6lmgPg-pZKixea8vKIP0IMY5wjpLHNJ2dt7yApCf5qxGYtvEsqMIwozuyDSs9Vcy6TX2Dp3dFXO6ZrjI4EmXH_3sJclf8WsGIzMsB3EhQM6ztkMOp9dv3NmaeGhaXCAw163Q622Cd/s640/15+Oct+bibaushi+2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Bibaushi JR Station 美馬牛駅 (F38), is an unmanned train station on JR Furano line 富良野線 and is located in the countryside of Biei-cho 美瑛町. What came to my mind when I first heard of its name was whether this train station was surrounded by lush pastures where horses and cows gaze around here freely (as the name was made up of the three kanji characters meaning beauty, horse and cow). Found out later that the name came from the phrase "pipa-us-i" which means a river with abundance of mussels in Ainu language (spoken by the indigenous people of Hokkaido).<br />
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoe7zvBOR4PubdkUZoxJ2HCOFmOkvy1pDk4NLT_oHYik_-jGJPSf84NAmGm6Bh7OGQ9U3mDIeJRKFW8Elltdp3lGGslVC9VT0aiK6qsFM9G8ajTMGT_pmLZ6RnJ7WHiEkWxqoYnii0v3q/s640/15+Oct+bibaushi+1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnalRngnODAtLrPaoWQMOHdbof0Ujx61bJqNd9t1yfD1zAdgSoD-0k8ZfwHVfWvXB-5lPGYOsriMIH7udJUxEx0pZ3tbFDmO_Lb0uYdKZkISxDkJrK2ITUX5A-xZooNmmnad6jz7c36szJ/s640/15+Oct+bibaushi+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H3SpThFFqOeIUoMYCluB_BKEZdSjOA86rSVsGQMwUxzPY2xY5L-KjTe2ZkjAiAKZrMx6ZlgogiSOaB3XzEJEMbbea_XbI1USy9_g_ocmnsqJd9L6fAjOPGj6KPQGMV-yPMZb9CFUWkni/s640/15+Oct+bibaushi+5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">From here, trains travel northwards for Biei 美瑛駅 and Asahikawa 旭川駅 and southwards for Kamifurano 上富良野駅, Nakafurano 中富良野駅 and Furano 富良野駅. During the summer season (from Jun to Aug), a special sightseeing themed train named <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/02/hokkaido-summer-2012-furano-biei.html">Furano Biei Noroko go </a></span><a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/02/hokkaido-summer-2012-furano-biei.html">富良野・美瑛ノロッコ号</a>, commutes between Biei and Furano and stops at Bibaushi, Kamifurano, Lavender Batake ラベンダー畑 (the train station closest to <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2018/07/revisit-hokkaido-2017-furano-farm-tomita.html">Farm Tomita ファーム富田</a> and only operates when this particular train is in service) and Nakafurano, along the Furano line.</div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluNbNv6H9mLAsOF2PV5isKN6E5FoMiTnRTUjF08tJPFf9ztC7K2qtQJkrwJ87NEmSUQzSMbpFQcMzbFqAekAt9OEjWAYYr_LNaWpo3DlwfQlshdaO94vrMDDqAvSSi05MzzAFIsMmHyQ4/s640/IMG_2516.JPG" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2_ULcUSORqprsh_5hlZJRGKcyn79UFNi98toC_8RbqPMZbW8I57PiY8PcQRfB6aVT8lgYtZKN6jnGa1ciPd13RKZh1WkpMNujGzf9qmzSoRBe_akET_TIDdtc9F_AzKC-sqtqiQG0iIN/s640/IMG_2519.JPG" /><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>What’s nearby?</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(1) Guide no yamagoya ガイドの山小屋, a travel agency which offers rental bicycle service (between May to Oct) and is located 1 minute walk away from east exit.<br />
<br />
For my trip, I rental an electric bicycle from here and followed a cycling map to explore the surrounding area. In the recommended route, I passed by Bibaushi Elementary School 美馬牛小学校, Shikisai no oka, Takushinkan 拓真館, Fureai Farm ふらあい牧場, Sanai no oka Observatory 三愛の丘展望台, Shinei no oka Observatory 新栄の丘展望台 and Christmas Tree クリスマスツリーの木 and the entire route took me about 4 hours.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyKVkW5VKK_z423uXfOnad0HGahEhw_anriK2_1JfQFjq3XGAzz0Ycyw9CtgGd8nMyMFhKYolXsO8k97g8fdUAwtihFJ6jUwotpqfact-rNxbfxPIbiSTk9QdBZ9MDP5WPLaZhp5q4IJp/s640/15+Oct+biei+9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rented an electric bicycle from Guide no yamagoya to cover the sightseeing spots around Bibaushi JR Station. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5yEWyN0DJaOkgMYgeKbVdjniVUvX60DpXZs3exYXNIMPE4fxbpGS1iOfadsJkvSQ_nDvT5HP69oEDtGCMR16Uyke7LESMhXDBC0L3lA599Bf-vt3fG7leuNfJInxsMnsXvv8J9VcU0PA/s640/15+Oct+biei+8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Admiring the countryside scenery while cycling.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVixQFg_vYhyphenhyphenowk-JjLGTgfUC1ciAVSP88o29vK1dLAgPANFfSsHDcdxExwMOWfpOJ7Znbds3fEPBy_i2NBqM1T0IMtalYHBEnW-ciSuea-WOYxz15-F3ngtcr8sjfBEtwqywqbxnaRpw/s640/15+Oct+christmas+tree+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Captured a shot of the lone Christmas tree during sunset.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(2) Christmas Tree クリスマスツリーの木, about 2 km away from the train station.<br />
This tall and sturdy spruce tree stands right in the middle of the fields by itself and its name came about because of its resemblance to a Christmas tree. Do take note that this tree is actually located in a privately owned area, so please refrain from trespassing the fields to get close to the tree.<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d19454.497179711027!2d142.43621771814935!3d43.545536312301174!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5f0cc9f7e1ae98f5%3A0xdecc7c63debad6e!2sLone%20Christmas%20tree!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1573400587554!5m2!1sen!2ssg" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
(3) <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2018/12/revisit-hokkaido-2017-biei-shikisai-no-oka.html">Shikisai no oka 四季彩の丘</a>, a flower park located about 2.5 km away. Takes about 25 - 30 minutes by foot.</div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-62519565515565199332019-11-03T02:59:00.002-08:002019-11-03T02:59:50.682-08:00Hokkaido Revisit 2017 三回目の北海道の旅 - Furano Marche 富良野マルシェ, Petit Petit Burger ぷちぷちチバーガー<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Revisited 15.10.2017 (Sun)</b><br />
Previous post: <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/02/hokkaido-summer-2012-furano-marche.html">https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/02/hokkaido-summer-2012-furano-marche.html</a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-XOTnCfxe2v6m2XZ1L0gqiiDb-y6XUorHHHKXlY-gSJYmUQEB-VgkRbKxi-G9PPeE3cYiOj-vXA_5wNygvIgcfEbJY7gMqHh4wqEkPHzvP9tfeI-R3mauKwdHVG1jnkXTuG1Al4ict6D/s640/15+Oct+furano+marche+1.jpg" /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgM9uZDwHws928I9KNWgFcPodZ__HErJjSZJMQXdUZPO9Agx3FC_pZxXbklHawv0uo4DsLDgMrLY_NedQFCko9aLi5NsRD_RlP1hSFGcvc62jGLzyZDooJ75gAE9Ua84HfDbehMZUGGt2/s640/15+Oct+furano+marche+3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3dUtvdrPwzZMu3FKDqoJyBH6cx4DU_2dambWvAD70w0fdgoEiTag4N3mBOBWXD9Wlyw7y2qY8hE6pG9SXNoLX1DteGERN1jNYIjNMFB7lDM1FJGCvesidUb7TyUf0__kv2ypT4oVmRFV/s640/IMG_0439.JPG" /><br />
<br />
<i>Return.</i> While reading my previous blog post documenting my first visit to Furano Marche in 2012, I stumbled upon this statement: <i>Will definitely spend some time in its sweets cafe and dining area, if I happen to visit Furano again</i>. Little did I know that five years later, I would make my way to Furano Marche again (in fact, twice during my one month stay in Hokkaido) to complete this unfinished task! Glad to see that this one-stop shop for Furano's specialties is still operating and business was way brisker than before. In additon to that, Furano Marche has further expanded its businesses; with a new block named Furano Marche 2, located just adjacent to it (separated by a road). Furano Marche 2, which comprised of an event hall, shops (florist, lifestyle goods, etc), cafes and restaurants, was constructed a few years back.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvQRDNLRC5xT7znP-8fEWtkUHZ0S14HYfpRhPBLNBLwMEjJZZ9y_iD5L8qX-A50G_b4H3J5c8OsF_fst9k_IYv_cIJ29dgjRxY7W4edSd-xVeA29jhh4IIm919Oq5IU6oBgipjyuyiGU_/s640/15+Oct+furano+4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chanced upon a Halloween pumpkin lantern making session held in the event hall of Furano Marche 2.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb5tz-m1Gy-1tyDzd_pnY9SJAYV0OyUC5Y6zaHP724iytYTJcqhgfIngk6KRpUMCPqK2D8vV_fHBEHiWm99Jm06MzQ09npA7DqJPj0BQThFoYDPi4x4sEi435G9nH1BRkZFuA_ZxGu7ny/s640/15+Oct+furano+marche+4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i>Aroma</i>. Visited Argent, the souvenir shop in Furano Marche. Familiarity set in as I explored the area to search for locally produced souvenirs to bring back home to. Just when I was about to step out of Furano Marche after completing my shopping, my nose was attracted to this delicious smelling aroma coming from this burger stall named Petit Petit Burger ぷちぷちチバーガー located in Furadish, the food court section of Furano Marche. Was lured towards towards it and could not resist the temptation. There is a good variety of burgers offered by this Furano Burger specialist and I decided on Furano classic burger (ふらのクラシックバーガー) after much contemplation. Like the fact that the patty was only put onto the grill upon order; took about 10 minutes before my queue number was called for food collection.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fwdOzecio6ygU_H18mX_GkjE4vsUxtWkyoMwSKrNiLisbEJG_sdv-oVui3CBfxOIxeqPDae734oHJ6RMJzBWjW5mzq-i5Z1w9WwTvzQuCf3Fqy-Bjw6n6sxPG-Yi3a4A42SiVv1WH9V4/s640/IMG_1108.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Glad to be back!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToWi-cWM8FeaZu-f77tJKn1R00wne4x00yjEweH4MuUg3rGhXcnTa-0Q0O03dHPDntEObFXpqjghEfBQFjfeTr275kqlmkFnOGBUjPs1y_Y6sBqaQDuNkF4x0DTQ3Bd4dO_LHiAVuG-ia/s640/15+Oct+furano+marche+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Argent, the souvenir shop housed within Furano Marche.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Winner</i>. Appearance wise, the burger already looked pretty enticing to begin with. Fresh lettuce, handmade meat patty and meat sauce were stuffed between lightly toasted buns made from Hokkaido wheat. On the first bite, I was already captivated by the umami flavour of the burger. The patty was cooked to the right doneness, with meat juices retained sufficiently. Complemented by the tomato based meat sauce which was specially created through a collaboration with a local pasta restaurant, the taste of this burger was way beyond fast food standard; and this is definitely one food which I will relate Furano to.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxcAhtyrRrjTGYtkYuu22sgKfhhNk0qFlb9TcDtF4HNaDdyubk6-LSnUoODtEDUoKucFNCVpTU1LMqzx4mGGNtVzoXgQO_VgWxYPpmT7_e54fdrkvo0XR7VrK-QIfMLdMWZ3zu5vDSrGz/s640/15+Oct+furano+marche+6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNrF50H8mpOomSP5Lrp62XmETJAAKSL0WW-pTnzwpO9fymshZJn9O20wUztqHHUasKg03Ax23Cmiq8Bn0k0PnY6ywtWBNGP751wMkZZk24N9hID92qFljT9oW6O6RnwGrP_mBRApKyeS2/s640/15+Oct+furano+marche+7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
What a pleasant find in Furano yet again!<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
======<br />
<br />
<b>Furano Marche 富良野マルシェ</b><br />
北海道富良野市幸町13-1<br />
Operating hours: 1000 - 1900 hrs<br />
* Jul to Aug: 0900 - 1900 hrs<br />
* Nov to Mar: 1000 - 1830 hrs<br />
<a href="https://www.furano.ne.jp/marche/top.asp">https://www.furano.ne.jp/marche/top.asp</a><br />
<br />
<b>Petit Petit Burger ぷちぷちチバーガー</b><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/petitpetitburger/?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/petitpetitburger/?fref=ts</a><br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d5803.3083164614645!2d142.38401851340512!3d43.3424255200873!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x43c96c3dbdd9d78f!2sFurano+Marche!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1547566639286" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-5103755960978526182019-01-13T08:24:00.001-08:002019-01-13T08:24:42.212-08:00Hokkaido Revisit 2017 三回目の北海道の旅 - Kitanosumai Sekkeisha 北の住まい設計社<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Visited 22.10.2017 (Sun)</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb3YNc9rcw0EXWzM1JpVeoAUNvdJI1oqC3x83hzVRs3ppZ-EdzZ09UvwVvO-qULw6pqWziJ0PS4qji0rURpZVTdB7paC09HlIul3J1_oO5_ZaQtM-iL4j37vYAn9ejIm6qA3AaseapGMd/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb3YNc9rcw0EXWzM1JpVeoAUNvdJI1oqC3x83hzVRs3ppZ-EdzZ09UvwVvO-qULw6pqWziJ0PS4qji0rURpZVTdB7paC09HlIul3J1_oO5_ZaQtM-iL4j37vYAn9ejIm6qA3AaseapGMd/s640/22+Oct+lunch+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90YMnkFczepzTNLgTEQzMZ7QfS5xTaX7y5-qH8BhAl7aZ5EmatFmTf3emdKLDEbTomgxpiiiNCBKoZ5g8U55a1__aF5cN39vIMfjrAqmLsCTFMkvL1ovAX12sUyNwzqQnvbdZRyffX5xi/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90YMnkFczepzTNLgTEQzMZ7QfS5xTaX7y5-qH8BhAl7aZ5EmatFmTf3emdKLDEbTomgxpiiiNCBKoZ5g8U55a1__aF5cN39vIMfjrAqmLsCTFMkvL1ovAX12sUyNwzqQnvbdZRyffX5xi/s640/22+Oct+lunch+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Cycling expedition! </i>During my one month study trip in Higashikawa-cho 東川町, I spent my weekends usually outside of the town exploring nearby areas such as Furano, Biei and Asahikawa. On this particular weekend, I followed the school on a field trip to revisit Sapporo and Otaru, two of the most popular cities in Hokkaido, on Saturday. On Sunday, I decided to stay put in Higashikawa-cho to explore this little humble town more using a bicycle rented from the dormitory. On the well illustrated map of Higashikawa-cho, I had marked out a couple of cafes/restaurants which I wanted very much to visit but were located further away from the town center. Coupled with a good weather, today was an excellent opportunity for me to fulfill this wish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd19DYjKWyALsAUlaojv02X5YYg3gMq1SvlDLfs57tqUkvoTdFXPG8-cvHeXCvs-JwQ7HEScRCt15tENWUIU1JJIwn2hm2fh8Mubf1_QLuzzJrgFdSkWH7glnNTRXvEx5Xi6bHp763mU__/s1600/22+Oct+craft+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd19DYjKWyALsAUlaojv02X5YYg3gMq1SvlDLfs57tqUkvoTdFXPG8-cvHeXCvs-JwQ7HEScRCt15tENWUIU1JJIwn2hm2fh8Mubf1_QLuzzJrgFdSkWH7glnNTRXvEx5Xi6bHp763mU__/s640/22+Oct+craft+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Woodcraft artisan</i>. Woodcraft is a specialty of Higashikawa-cho with approximately 30 percent of well known Asahikawa furniture sold all across Japan originated from here. In fact, their skilful craftsmanship is showcased subtly in the town itself. During my stay, I was amazed by the one-of-its-kind intricate wooden signboards with attractive illustrations hung outside of shops, restaurants, post office and even police box! Found out later that there is even a road named Craft Street クラフト街道, where a handful of wooden craft and pottery workshops/studios are established around here, and this particular road also led me to the destination I was aiming for the day - Kitanosumai Sekkeisha 北の住まい設計社, a local manufacturing company which produces wooden furniture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZM0s7-ESpAV5iev_jEFvnJhJUeLfh6WDbOcXrJd12-bD6pehaU1aoUH2Fa5hzhyphenhyphenmZ23Ky4UPFC74Yg5hxqb5GMeP5ysX3cJV99Va6WTmknXQJwVFrb749V-2hwQYX8cgOJTZsHNdlBJC/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZM0s7-ESpAV5iev_jEFvnJhJUeLfh6WDbOcXrJd12-bD6pehaU1aoUH2Fa5hzhyphenhyphenmZ23Ky4UPFC74Yg5hxqb5GMeP5ysX3cJV99Va6WTmknXQJwVFrb749V-2hwQYX8cgOJTZsHNdlBJC/s640/22+Oct+lunch+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdDpY-Vx1IqkPceAqJ4Q4Mo5gErrMmcB-sBRDkF8cUKNkpey6IxWiGPHcU8tndMJ0X_P3vG0vhx5TxanDC3dInkxPxWr2Sd_xFFN6QyvJ70UbLRtZyXpsmBkx_q0N6v9zABZX1fGS1JmF/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdDpY-Vx1IqkPceAqJ4Q4Mo5gErrMmcB-sBRDkF8cUKNkpey6IxWiGPHcU8tndMJ0X_P3vG0vhx5TxanDC3dInkxPxWr2Sd_xFFN6QyvJ70UbLRtZyXpsmBkx_q0N6v9zABZX1fGS1JmF/s640/22+Oct+lunch+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt2MonJIjLdJXdtZ2nL4omqUT0PBQK0MJfU5sB_CsOcoqcxgf2fx0VaEjXFKN64tc8DcDZGMpPsI96Fk3bO58CZUED6Fvftyq8EhC3k1mUr7v5ZJ8ARX485qtZh6YnAPCZWyb_2vwocrJ/s1600/22+Oct+kitanosumai+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt2MonJIjLdJXdtZ2nL4omqUT0PBQK0MJfU5sB_CsOcoqcxgf2fx0VaEjXFKN64tc8DcDZGMpPsI96Fk3bO58CZUED6Fvftyq8EhC3k1mUr7v5ZJ8ARX485qtZh6YnAPCZWyb_2vwocrJ/s640/22+Oct+kitanosumai+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb8GfCMT6oiJDswwt_rXnk0NxKAyjE5fNJWJFrj4mwVj0eBwaKh6XAXHlnBc7yS7JJgatVshgcCNSQVUOTzTrAa3Sbckgyuln7VfHP0w15keQrLD4o5Ab7s1jNsGFErX9GnirZHZ0QkPz/s1600/22+Oct+kitanosumai+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyb8GfCMT6oiJDswwt_rXnk0NxKAyjE5fNJWJFrj4mwVj0eBwaKh6XAXHlnBc7yS7JJgatVshgcCNSQVUOTzTrAa3Sbckgyuln7VfHP0w15keQrLD4o5Ab7s1jNsGFErX9GnirZHZ0QkPz/s640/22+Oct+kitanosumai+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BipawG9qw0vNgfszh2AncWnW3-om5mXXYLN8icZQOP5SJe34l8T1CbSzf1oWSJgLdECC35VV68LLLYuVP4W7IUI1Qktcd3zWX_RV93y5Jfn9yX0xSVzLO4wG8viNZB6iw70AKXTClSTw/s1600/22+Oct+kitanosumai+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BipawG9qw0vNgfszh2AncWnW3-om5mXXYLN8icZQOP5SJe34l8T1CbSzf1oWSJgLdECC35VV68LLLYuVP4W7IUI1Qktcd3zWX_RV93y5Jfn9yX0xSVzLO4wG8viNZB6iw70AKXTClSTw/s640/22+Oct+kitanosumai+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Origin. </i>The managing director of Kitanosumai Sekkeisha moved to Higashikawa with his wife in 1985 and found an abolished school which they decided to set up their factory in. Have seen his interviews and I admired his long term vision of creating sustainable furniture using wood originating solely from Hokkaido and promoting craftsmanship, a human touch that is gradually lost with automation. Upon reaching Kitanosumai Sekkeisha, I was fully drawn into its serene landscape of country style wooden houses tucked away in a tranquil forest setting. Made my way first to the gallery/showroom and fell in love with the alluring scent and natural touch of wood on every piece of its furniture. Set my eyes on this sleek, cherry wood coaster (木のコースター), an original good of Kitanosumai Sekkeisha but was contemplating for a while as it was quite pricey (¥950). Eventually I was won over by its fine quality and simplistic design, and decided to bring it back home! In addition to furniture, the gallery is also stocked up with an extensive range of zakka and lifestyle goods, sourced both domestically and internationally, to meet the needs of different individuals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-q9kjnu_cLcCpgXcr5TNXxga8rxfnb7qfANAlD9D38z9QzYX7TxzUJ30ANFJ86NT4k5Xh3hOjGvXEJQAJXoQmDo-az7f9mtICRWjs7VeFObzTRQE7b_XnH02YjNC3Kp1XgBXCrCoYH_D/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-q9kjnu_cLcCpgXcr5TNXxga8rxfnb7qfANAlD9D38z9QzYX7TxzUJ30ANFJ86NT4k5Xh3hOjGvXEJQAJXoQmDo-az7f9mtICRWjs7VeFObzTRQE7b_XnH02YjNC3Kp1XgBXCrCoYH_D/s640/22+Oct+lunch+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HJoq3-tVZ-GTRHTtpya1N0AfLAtAVSxlSdcpt33WI3bdLPnv3J4WiTEIXL99b6lasTCosl0T_HsnwvceOD8O2d77-5_fktzcj9hSDAJwpGyxrt2UZe4Mbj0aXRN2fwMuJ8-z0BNCCsdh/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HJoq3-tVZ-GTRHTtpya1N0AfLAtAVSxlSdcpt33WI3bdLPnv3J4WiTEIXL99b6lasTCosl0T_HsnwvceOD8O2d77-5_fktzcj9hSDAJwpGyxrt2UZe4Mbj0aXRN2fwMuJ8-z0BNCCsdh/s640/22+Oct+lunch+11.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NoN3esoBjSgAvHzcKqDWSq5MWCDj0sxwQbPwd3aU0DcYt_0sxjjcbDZ6atKcb8ESYECGI0GD3mV8HWtZ0p1fCPC976m1HVpz0BOjOwoB6IJC0mSkgrK1PMGC-uM5YVdIljHdDYsuFpns/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NoN3esoBjSgAvHzcKqDWSq5MWCDj0sxwQbPwd3aU0DcYt_0sxjjcbDZ6atKcb8ESYECGI0GD3mV8HWtZ0p1fCPC976m1HVpz0BOjOwoB6IJC0mSkgrK1PMGC-uM5YVdIljHdDYsuFpns/s640/22+Oct+lunch+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Lunch</i>. After a fruitful shopping experience, I followed the directional signs to a path lined with birch trees on its sides, leading to the building where both the cafe and bakery are house in - my main objective of this visit to Kitanosumai Sekkeisha. The aromatic and delectable scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery hits me immediately when I pulled open the door of the building. Had to resist this temptation for the time being and shuffle my feet quickly to the cafe. Here, Italian cuisine such as pasta, gnocchi and pizza were found on its menu and as I would have expect, seasonal and locally grown ingredients were utilised extensively to create their dishes. On the day of my visit, there were two other pasta dishes offered outside of their regular menu:<br />
- Chicken and mushroom with ragout tomato sauce pasta 鶏肉ときのこのラグートマトソースバスタ (¥1,400)<br />
- Scallop and green bean with green cream sauce pasta ホタテとインゲのグリーンクリームソースパスタ (¥1,500)<br />
Both pasta came with salad, soup and bread. Chose the latter and completed the meal with an iced original blend coffee (¥350). While waiting for my lunch to be served, my eyes got to feast on the wooden furnitures, which were also produced by Kitanosumai Sekkeisha, in this modern country style cafe. Started off with perfect crisp salad, flavourful minestrone soup and homemade bread. The main pasta dish did not disappoint at all - al dente spaghetti which were nicely coated with delicious green cream sauce and flavoured by fresh scallop and sweet green beans. The original blend coffee ended the meal on a perfect note; aromatic with the right balance of bitterness and sourness to arouse the tastebuds. All in all, I enjoyed my lunch thoroughly and the overall experience made the laborious ride here extremely worthwhile!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMGuQozftpMOy_5bomWrghTosLkU6kRMTosTO4003JGiNEQpbpaS_4BqkT8CxIP4TQ_y8ql8n9AcfD0lk-b-O-2tZqXjy53fRbbYin4b6oFkFV29d_v0WASOpLQ3pt5PFQ_Bg7UcwOPCl/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMGuQozftpMOy_5bomWrghTosLkU6kRMTosTO4003JGiNEQpbpaS_4BqkT8CxIP4TQ_y8ql8n9AcfD0lk-b-O-2tZqXjy53fRbbYin4b6oFkFV29d_v0WASOpLQ3pt5PFQ_Bg7UcwOPCl/s640/22+Oct+lunch+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scallop and green bean with green cream sauce pasta.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQlLyFGBOdc_MiA7s7EfFAUugqI6GQll3trhJZ6DHcflfOnuIKE9T_4bgQDPUqDZJfooTYCi-SnBLIh9Pnv6U3zSPWPPhgHpwSNxvEouQDVQ02S9UAphJds5ELir0agqnQCMOG37qvt9q/s1600/22+Oct+lunch+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQlLyFGBOdc_MiA7s7EfFAUugqI6GQll3trhJZ6DHcflfOnuIKE9T_4bgQDPUqDZJfooTYCi-SnBLIh9Pnv6U3zSPWPPhgHpwSNxvEouQDVQ02S9UAphJds5ELir0agqnQCMOG37qvt9q/s640/22+Oct+lunch+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Iced original blend coffee placed on the cherry wood coaster - same as the one which I brought back home!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
======</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kitanosumai Sekkeisha 北の住まい設計社</span></b></div>
北海道上川郡東川町東7号北7線<br />
Opening hours: 1000 - 1800 hrs<br />
Closed on Wednesdays.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bakery: 1000 - 1800 hrs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cafe: 1000 - 1730 hrs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- Last order for food: 1600 hrs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- Last order for dessert/drink: 1730 hr</span>s</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.kitanosumaisekkeisha.com/">http://www.kitanosumaisekkeisha.com/</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>How to get there?</b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(1) By car.<br />
Takes about 35 - 45 mins to drive from Asahikawa-shi 旭川市.<br />
Takes about 15 mins to drive from Michi no eki Michikusakan 道の駅 道草館.<br />
<br />
(2) By bus from Asahikawa Station Bus Terminal 旭川駅バスターミナル Platform 10, followed by rental bicycle from Michi no eki Michikusakan 道の駅 道草館. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Unfortunately there are no public buses arriving at its door step. After arriving at Michi no eki Michikusan 道の駅 道草館 by bus, proceed to rent a bicycle at Michikusan (500 yen/hour). From here, head towards the direction of Kitoushi Forest Park キトウシ森林公園. Upon reaching Toyama Jinja 富山神社, turn right and cycle along Craft Street クラフト街道 before eventually arriving at Kitanosumai Sekkeisha. The entire cycling journey takes approx 40 mins.<br />
<br />
* From Asahikawa Station Bus Terminal Platform 10, board Asahikawa Denkikidou 旭川電気軌道 Bus 60, 62 and 67 heading for Higashikawa-cho 東川町 and alight at Michikusakan-mae 道草館前.<br />
Fare = 570 yen<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d38803.96008112238!2d142.51855178913968!3d43.70802218796589!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x1e7080da9d74692b!2z77yI5qCq77yJ5YyX44Gu5L2P44G-44GE6Kit6KiI56S-!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sjp!4v1547042622904" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com07 Higashi 7 Gokita, Higashikawa, Kamikawa District, Hokkaido 071-1437, Japan43.7068118 142.5850031999999612.811374799999996 101.27640919999996 74.6022488 -176.10640280000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-61690135959847345722019-01-01T02:30:00.002-08:002019-01-01T03:54:09.633-08:00Hokkaido Revisit 2017 三回目の北海道の旅 - Ginneko 焼鳥専門 ぎんねこ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Visited 03.11.2017 (Fri)</b><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCqgwvh4OtXAsyA3eohX0u71yzqD6UrA3d7BL9irJfeyUSjf0_c4T5H5gp1X4AICTBmMbGzbe1W8RnwwaNvwu0MhZy4vTQjbQ2NRcqjGw3LYOAWvNnlmOvkAg9AqhQJFoRGdhCPab0I89/s1600/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCqgwvh4OtXAsyA3eohX0u71yzqD6UrA3d7BL9irJfeyUSjf0_c4T5H5gp1X4AICTBmMbGzbe1W8RnwwaNvwu0MhZy4vTQjbQ2NRcqjGw3LYOAWvNnlmOvkAg9AqhQJFoRGdhCPab0I89/s640/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+2.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<i>New discovery.</i> In the past, the first thing that came to my mind whenever people mentioned about Asahikawa was Shoyu based ramen. However, during my one month long study trip in Higashikawa-cho, I discovered another soul food which holds important significance to the locals here in Asahikawa. This local favourite is grilled half young chicken named Shinkoyaki 新子焼き and its history traces all the way back to post World War II reign, when Japan was in the state of recovery. As meat was expensive and not consumed frequently in the olden days, Shinkoyaki was deemed a delicacy and at the same time, a vitality booster for the commoners during the recovery period. The word Shinko 新子 has two different meanings. Konoshiro gizzard shad (known as kohada コハダ in Japanese) is a type of fish that has four different names, each given at a particular stage of its lifespan. When the fish is at its smallest phase, it is called Shinko and is known to be a high class delicacy. On the other hand, the word means young in the culinary world. Therefore, while normal grilled (grown) chicken is called Sanzokuyaki (山賊焼き), Shinkoyaki is used to differentiate grilled young chicken from the former. Its popularity has also given rise to an association being set up to promote this soul food to a bigger audience and currently, there are about 10 registered restaurants offering this local flavour.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Shinkoyaki introduction (in Japanese): <a href="https://shinkoyaki.com/">https://shinkoyaki.com/</a><br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxR8DYLJZ5RGQf2lvx31L7_sFdtyWArWtQWFm-PRDY2vQl-660YIsbhGGLyWNhWmsAwntCY9MHmxGAskrfxHGyIFlon1r6M6OMq0INyMAK5EuCBzJcaIv6MhhTxmAXvbpemXoNQURoRMK/s1600/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxR8DYLJZ5RGQf2lvx31L7_sFdtyWArWtQWFm-PRDY2vQl-660YIsbhGGLyWNhWmsAwntCY9MHmxGAskrfxHGyIFlon1r6M6OMq0INyMAK5EuCBzJcaIv6MhhTxmAXvbpemXoNQURoRMK/s640/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+3.jpg" width="480"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">5.7 Koji Furari-to, the alley where Ginneko is located in.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMbe2yTusS4jNn3ACNvWIXNqZQCGZXCl5GSShh9J4b-gZw0RMxST6-QtbyWFWWZ-DJfFj8xvtyi6UOzj43ZsqaorYzpL89J5SVGm3YztX_EOUJSsHCRT6DT6uWLmujU2eAEBAm3QRzwwj/s1600/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMbe2yTusS4jNn3ACNvWIXNqZQCGZXCl5GSShh9J4b-gZw0RMxST6-QtbyWFWWZ-DJfFj8xvtyi6UOzj43ZsqaorYzpL89J5SVGm3YztX_EOUJSsHCRT6DT6uWLmujU2eAEBAm3QRzwwj/s640/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+4.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Presenting Shinkoyaki! The thigh portion was lightly seasoned with salt while the breast and wing portion was dressed with their secret sauce</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Yummy.</i> On my last night in Hokkaido, I made my way to Ginneko ぎんねこ, a small restaurant established in 1950 and a yakitori specialist, to try their version of Shinkoyaki for dinner. Ginneko is one of the many restaurants tucked in this alley named 5.7 Koji Furari-to (5.7小路ふらりーと), which has been around even before World War II and has been carefully refurbished/preserved to evoke a sense of nostalgia. When I thought I would be the earliest diner at 5 pm, I was surprised to see a restaurant packed with customers after opening the sliding door. Fortunately, I managed to squeeze into the last available counter seat. In Ginneko's version of Shinkoyaki, locally grown chicken which are about 6 weeks old are selected and are grilled over direct heat produced from high grade charcoal known as bincho-zumi 備長炭. Ordered the "half and half ハフとハフ" version in which the grilled half young chicken is further divided into two portions, each with a different seasoning. The thigh portion was lightly seasoned with salt while the breast and wing portion was dressed with their secret sauce which has been aged over a long period of time. In both versions, the skin was grilled to crispy golden brown on the outside while the meat was very tender with all the wholesome savory meat juices locked in. Kudos to the chef who has perfected the grilling technique while battling the intense heat and choking fumes to serve up this delicious dish that will make one yearn and return for more.<br>
<br>
I think I have found another reason to return to Asahikawa again!</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlU53a28ySYG2fAg5SgeDLSdDu5q2TNTY6YYpRwhwZXKju1v-0gEMrHHfo3wdDRudhgynRD0OqDpFpnk50TvYEtjLOuRp7hWNtHmkVAIvf2tUw1LDVlBlJBIFxcr-AwFfII7CvRRL3csp/s1600/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlU53a28ySYG2fAg5SgeDLSdDu5q2TNTY6YYpRwhwZXKju1v-0gEMrHHfo3wdDRudhgynRD0OqDpFpnk50TvYEtjLOuRp7hWNtHmkVAIvf2tUw1LDVlBlJBIFxcr-AwFfII7CvRRL3csp/s640/3+Nov+shinkoyaki+1.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Requested to take a group photo before I bade farewell to them!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Remember. </i>As a foreigner, I always find it a bit daunting to visit local restaurants/Izakaya due to the inherent language barrier and uncertainties. Having said that, the amicable and warm hospitality displayed by the locals usually comes aptly to overcome this fear on most occasions. In this particular instance, I sat in between two groups of diners, a group of three friends who are in their fifties and a solo traveller from Osaka. The initial awkwardness was inevitable since we were all seated so close to one another (almost rubbing shoulders), but after realising that I was a foreigner (when I requested for an English menu), they started chatting with me and the casual conversation extended throughout the entire dinner. I could not thank them enough for their friendliness which helped to break down the barrier and also a beer treat from them when least expected! Such acquaintances made during overseas travels always form part of the memorable moments and experiences that I can reminisce every now and then.<br>
<br>
======<br>
<br>
<b>Ginneko 焼鳥専門 ぎんねこ</b><br>
070-0035 旭川市5条通7丁目5.7小路ふらりーと<br>
Located in 5.7 Furari-to food alley.<br>
Opening hours: 1300 - 2200 hrs, closed on Mondays.<br>
Ginneko: <a href="http://www.ginneko.co.jp/">http://www.ginneko.co.jp/</a><br>
5.7 Koji Furari-to (5.7小路ふらりーと): <a href="http://furari-to.net/f_index.html">http://furari-to.net/f_index.html</a><br>
<br>
<b>How to get there?</b><br>
<br>
(1) By foot. It takes about 10 minutes to walk from Asahikawa JR Station 旭川駅.<br>
<br></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d6852.901926035721!2d142.3566057359885!3d43.76683175600502!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x5b3467c698e89873!2z44GO44KT44Gt44GT!5e0!3m2!1sja!2ssg!4v1546073774019" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-57831531249830184952018-12-29T00:08:00.002-08:002018-12-31T03:12:35.251-08:00Hokkaido Revisit 2017 三回目の北海道の旅 - Shikisai no oka 四季彩の丘<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Revisited on 15.10.2017 (Sun)</b><br />
Previous post: <a href="https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/03/hokkaido-summer-2012-shikisai-no-oka.html">https://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2013/03/hokkaido-summer-2012-shikisai-no-oka.html</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9BQXpg20j3G_QRBvwaquqIFa_qcroKhwFVC2cK9ws7vFjlsk6FTIC9IKkZufdcQmdnNlq543rQwv6hNOe9yN8V_4ycLpHgC2CCHBJWJpeEVfA25L4ct8MC34kyq4HYbj5LperPMcpLn1/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9BQXpg20j3G_QRBvwaquqIFa_qcroKhwFVC2cK9ws7vFjlsk6FTIC9IKkZufdcQmdnNlq543rQwv6hNOe9yN8V_4ycLpHgC2CCHBJWJpeEVfA25L4ct8MC34kyq4HYbj5LperPMcpLn1/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqSBhimBCTYwlEwkf4vx41Lqat0NldiFBOofj7hZBFVwfeNUg5ewHnhHCg4mLFazDCwecBwDe8OL0Ic-Ok965JL8Uv32iC9rAdTf-qilooaYANFRfKWr7HWv0-l2qXBY_I7HhOjeuVhJ5/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqSBhimBCTYwlEwkf4vx41Lqat0NldiFBOofj7hZBFVwfeNUg5ewHnhHCg4mLFazDCwecBwDe8OL0Ic-Ok965JL8Uv32iC9rAdTf-qilooaYANFRfKWr7HWv0-l2qXBY_I7HhOjeuVhJ5/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Accomplished!</i> When I visited Shikisai no oka with my family in 2012 during summer, weather was not at its best as it was drizzling/showering for most part of the day and we could not explore this huge flower park extensively. A returning visit to Shikisai no oka was added to my to-do list since then and I could finally tick this item off during my study trip in Higashikawa-cho in Oct 2017. This time round I was blessed with favourable weather and I enjoyed myself thoroughly, surrounded by colourful seasonal flowers in a countryside landscape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nZ8gXKKq4XRFMoiwqf9NUNvh-MqBYoXbeE03ytWQYo0w_mi9ItYLs0731Lh0Rjpr9tYU_jXuwLGRd2-lUOAql000Dtvber3xvsOLtD6OPsK7d3RU4NNgBPaBnWo6SLZJShqdCTkY-_p6/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nZ8gXKKq4XRFMoiwqf9NUNvh-MqBYoXbeE03ytWQYo0w_mi9ItYLs0731Lh0Rjpr9tYU_jXuwLGRd2-lUOAql000Dtvber3xvsOLtD6OPsK7d3RU4NNgBPaBnWo6SLZJShqdCTkY-_p6/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKUi7_homEflrmTymQJ8ArAmbooAzyGVTNp_Ilqe_oJUabbjQEaIFXcpP4Nlkdwr04RsSMI7yxvWQ6-2-sc8uhGphMcC45qRnIZpnNq15LxyEs31CBG9UKJSmv3Mmwe1dbeM0qpCsI_kF/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKUi7_homEflrmTymQJ8ArAmbooAzyGVTNp_Ilqe_oJUabbjQEaIFXcpP4Nlkdwr04RsSMI7yxvWQ6-2-sc8uhGphMcC45qRnIZpnNq15LxyEs31CBG9UKJSmv3Mmwe1dbeM0qpCsI_kF/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecIpWf56YWT-RQjGOrcCLJhYbNkNIZtjiV4YmRwS4_ftPdUlVBEBspDjsEH9I-MwwTyvVhqEQV4lJ_cjpCfeduKQHYOauenyNE0z4wv3GEiRS0yFluTMUfyhS1-tE6dHOmTun_MW9rZ7K/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecIpWf56YWT-RQjGOrcCLJhYbNkNIZtjiV4YmRwS4_ftPdUlVBEBspDjsEH9I-MwwTyvVhqEQV4lJ_cjpCfeduKQHYOauenyNE0z4wv3GEiRS0yFluTMUfyhS1-tE6dHOmTun_MW9rZ7K/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrfbyvfHSkOlMdn0sTpGwOQoGSNcqvcPCTlAgyye2NWautrhcdtXU3Iphc-H6NQu42pD9w_FWehhSv3VrLN4Gaml80UvCjuGKAdITDabYwuI9_UnpNU984xmGs3l2zjjTHtNCAeTKPMVq/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrfbyvfHSkOlMdn0sTpGwOQoGSNcqvcPCTlAgyye2NWautrhcdtXU3Iphc-H6NQu42pD9w_FWehhSv3VrLN4Gaml80UvCjuGKAdITDabYwuI9_UnpNU984xmGs3l2zjjTHtNCAeTKPMVq/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispCvCICQePNnMYRd1whnFpojcXPFzRqcS-cKBEXGs1sSnShH7T5xTx8BnVjBWnY9r8URDGFpC83M-VlilIUhzpDMpLM_jIHt9lTw1C6bPL1SYiagOnzlDrf-daOyuOeTgcyV7qTvJxF5t/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispCvCICQePNnMYRd1whnFpojcXPFzRqcS-cKBEXGs1sSnShH7T5xTx8BnVjBWnY9r8URDGFpC83M-VlilIUhzpDMpLM_jIHt9lTw1C6bPL1SYiagOnzlDrf-daOyuOeTgcyV7qTvJxF5t/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Equally stunning</i>. Like most people, I would think that summer is the best time to visit Furano and Biei as it is the peak blooming season for its signature lavender fields and other flower parks. I actually beg to differ after this visit during the relatively cooling and less crowded autumn season. Visited Shikisai no oka on the second weekend of October and I was totally blown away by the equally stunning flower-carpeted fields here. Upon arriving here by my rental bicycle, I could immediately relate to the familiar pale yellow colored country style building which housed the restaurant (on the second floor), souvenir shop and snack stalls, and the two iconic mascots, made up of bales of straw, still standing faithfully at the same spot to welcome their visitors.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSJqYEVihl8y9VMMlgo_Ug8C9ohVOyty39IlIMEWFWgNT46pt4UN_Z0C_FUzneGzuCRGtQyqJOR99ylONPid3ba731AcyiUGEzRPeMoCtTwb4uMZF68iRnIHO7S3x22VIANKwtyAn1cm9/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSJqYEVihl8y9VMMlgo_Ug8C9ohVOyty39IlIMEWFWgNT46pt4UN_Z0C_FUzneGzuCRGtQyqJOR99ylONPid3ba731AcyiUGEzRPeMoCtTwb4uMZF68iRnIHO7S3x22VIANKwtyAn1cm9/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do you remember me? Look at the field of yellow mustard flowers behind me!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSy7isCuMPjbZIn0sjmKq5WzMrG1NNSdifwW1JVTisaW0qMimMG1OLcB0IdbwdNsRd7VzylWXzlViTAeW84vBkl3fUqiqwuYj9WtZCCLYKE_GF8cYTTQSFk-F0hjecuuCOJ1_DM_g4tR0/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSy7isCuMPjbZIn0sjmKq5WzMrG1NNSdifwW1JVTisaW0qMimMG1OLcB0IdbwdNsRd7VzylWXzlViTAeW84vBkl3fUqiqwuYj9WtZCCLYKE_GF8cYTTQSFk-F0hjecuuCOJ1_DM_g4tR0/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally revisited this place after a five years hiatus.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Symbol of optimism</i>. Rows of equal width, each occupied by a different colored plant, transformed the hilly landscape into a vibrant and magical looking rainbow carpet. Was hoping very much to revive the breathtaking moment of witnessing a brightly lit sunflower field - a memorable scene which I could still vividly remember till now. To my surprise, the sunflower field was still beaming cheerfully in the month of October. Based on the flower calendar published on its website, sunflower (known otherwise as himawari ひまわり in Japanese) can be sighted from late Jun to mid Jul, Aug and from mid Sep to mid Oct. Apart from that, visitors can also admire yellow flowers of mustard plants, which blossom exclusively during the autumn season between mid Sep to late Oct in Shikisai no oka.<br />
<br />
Yet again, a memorable episode concluded at Shikisai no oka!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMyjYDXt0AxO22bcXj2ygf7nD8FKkgpX2nnh_I6bgKUjdHxHZ17IvB4M26QAf2HBhlwX1CmL-dLQkqihzpRKRNi5fflX3fC23QhpSwSI3SCgnCdcIJA1-eDOKgSUspo2u_DIOuRvJLp5W/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMyjYDXt0AxO22bcXj2ygf7nD8FKkgpX2nnh_I6bgKUjdHxHZ17IvB4M26QAf2HBhlwX1CmL-dLQkqihzpRKRNi5fflX3fC23QhpSwSI3SCgnCdcIJA1-eDOKgSUspo2u_DIOuRvJLp5W/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOzL6q0jlJ3RyfNZ9Te3GxYNb8L6QSbEzHymNHwQI-kEuIZx2A2TidsWxWi0CDxaAn-Je4c9y-8YRfeEORO_lv6vjqgCaGClc8ww_U3xqYHXDteVnFO9cCTfMK6TH2yzrzUZ1x0AN5gvV/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOzL6q0jlJ3RyfNZ9Te3GxYNb8L6QSbEzHymNHwQI-kEuIZx2A2TidsWxWi0CDxaAn-Je4c9y-8YRfeEORO_lv6vjqgCaGClc8ww_U3xqYHXDteVnFO9cCTfMK6TH2yzrzUZ1x0AN5gvV/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnGcdtlJEt-7YBJcWbUzUHRqSwCmEpHXnwOlkbJlTDb3OtkvoTVUMKPr8v3TsLk025Sgi4YJZDQJx0rDUgg7ikpW-a_0Hy93j1HnlDZPocSoAgnY0CNi6fm_8qW7shvEBSkNATzBYrNuz/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnGcdtlJEt-7YBJcWbUzUHRqSwCmEpHXnwOlkbJlTDb3OtkvoTVUMKPr8v3TsLk025Sgi4YJZDQJx0rDUgg7ikpW-a_0Hy93j1HnlDZPocSoAgnY0CNi6fm_8qW7shvEBSkNATzBYrNuz/s640/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHGu5_zpzHKzjlwkgBEZzwKBEgBof-1xc6HTLTDet8ndRXbZr2psh_zfVqXq2ypwPt3lfJfUxXOpG2hY-1Dp3Jyi6bb44ZEf1gcCLeQpg7fUH6o6GayuNGlQn8NYXwYi6z4ZG-Bh3qXFs/s1600/IMG_2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHGu5_zpzHKzjlwkgBEZzwKBEgBof-1xc6HTLTDet8ndRXbZr2psh_zfVqXq2ypwPt3lfJfUxXOpG2hY-1Dp3Jyi6bb44ZEf1gcCLeQpg7fUH6o6GayuNGlQn8NYXwYi6z4ZG-Bh3qXFs/s640/IMG_2464.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not forgetting to grab a lavender flavoured soft serve cone before wrapping up today's visit!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
======<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<b>Shikisai no oka 四季彩の丘</b><br />
〒071-0473 北海道上川郡美瑛町新星第三<br />
Operating hours:<br />
- Apr to May, Oct: 0900 - 1700 hrs<br />
- Jun to Sep: 0830 - 1800 hrs<br />
- Nov: 0900 - 1630 hrs<br />
- Dec to Feb: 0900 - 1600 hrs<br />
- Mar: 0900 - 1630 hrs<br />
<a href="https://www.shikisainooka.jp/">https://www.shikisainooka.jp/</a><br />
<br />
<b>How to get there?</b><br />
<br />
(1) By foot. It takes about 25 minutes to walk from Bibaushi JR Station 美馬牛駅 to Shikisai no oka.<br />
<br />
(2) By rental bicycle. Just a minute walk from Bibaushi JR Station, there is a local tour agency named Yamanoya 山の屋 offering rental bicycle services between May to Oct. For my trip, I utilised the rental bicycle and followed a cycling map to explore Panorama Road. In the recommended route, I passed by Bibaushi Elementary School 美馬牛小学校, Shikisai no oka, Takushinkan, Fureai Farm ふらあい牧場, Sanai no oka Observatory 三愛の丘展望台, Shinei no oka Observatory 新栄の丘展望台 and Christmas Tree クリスマスツリーの木 and the entire route took me about 4 hours.<br />
To get to Yamanoya, do not exit the train station through the waiting area/main building. Exit from the platform which is opposite to the waiting area/main building. Upon reaching the road, turn right and Yamanoya will be within sight in 20 meters. <br />
Yamanoya: <a href="http://www.yamagoya.jp/index-bike%20season.htm">http://www.yamagoya.jp/index-bike%20season.htm</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d11570.149951906877!2d142.44943953146412!3d43.53283671179384!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x5f0cc855b90fe20d%3A0xa8fd370f4781183e!2sShikisai+No+Oka!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1545751729301" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Commemorative stamp</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6mGPDMkyaVIAaCoEMFAVikkqg8EEi1DProMnssdLkP1n-qGuub6VKu6e-Yq3QKbENXTBZ7Lh-xu_X5SZCVlQKJJRLp5iqzaw8aXjHOxXvq1m7GYNxuRR9HFYnIri0AP_eHi_KFssXf3h/s1600/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1579" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6mGPDMkyaVIAaCoEMFAVikkqg8EEi1DProMnssdLkP1n-qGuub6VKu6e-Yq3QKbENXTBZ7Lh-xu_X5SZCVlQKJJRLp5iqzaw8aXjHOxXvq1m7GYNxuRR9HFYnIri0AP_eHi_KFssXf3h/s400/15+Oct+biei+shikisai+25.JPG" width="393" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-70421400630824901142018-12-24T20:13:00.004-08:002018-12-24T20:20:53.857-08:00Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Fujikyuko Fujisan Station 富士急行富士山駅, Thomas Land-go Train トーマスランド号<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HEPmXrDct9gmZQBW2ItBgJkjkLiFyNewYLuFOAh-x5zJ-4TtP0wg0yxQ3MUOme7X-zZS0R7bme16y6E8i_SCSBNRjf9cu8QOe9QhfQMtWX6VbIrTAv3ZKRm1OsBGvPA59fGJ_FLD9vN-/s1600/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HEPmXrDct9gmZQBW2ItBgJkjkLiFyNewYLuFOAh-x5zJ-4TtP0wg0yxQ3MUOme7X-zZS0R7bme16y6E8i_SCSBNRjf9cu8QOe9QhfQMtWX6VbIrTAv3ZKRm1OsBGvPA59fGJ_FLD9vN-/s640/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Fujisan Station 富士山駅 (FJ16) is a train station located along Fujikyuko line 富士急行線. Operated by a private railway company, Fujikyuko, this railway line ascends from Otsuki 大月駅 to Kawaguchi-ko 河口湖駅 and is frequently utilised by both locals and tourists to visit Fuji five lakes (such as Kawaguchi-ko and Yamanaka-ko), Fuji Q Highland themepark and numerous scenic spots which offer spectacular views of Fujisan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2TnQ-KPAhO4oLl_dRcTd0fEm5Pmpo50AiFJBYQrsWxaGOMEsITEAqLsRNJSr-TTII1gh37R_jTuJ29Ex46Z1wQuM1prNEr2MSiBXsDC75IlP-9SZbmd5LdSUPMH4Um_IC1el_saG_1XP/s1600/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2TnQ-KPAhO4oLl_dRcTd0fEm5Pmpo50AiFJBYQrsWxaGOMEsITEAqLsRNJSr-TTII1gh37R_jTuJ29Ex46Z1wQuM1prNEr2MSiBXsDC75IlP-9SZbmd5LdSUPMH4Um_IC1el_saG_1XP/s640/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwS6JMd5REA-tVpnzXeHFhOeYOL26y7YEreOJpIyG2DJE_lkZTsbN90X2yr_lXLovuhdlaUcpbKYL1f1yONWw9-sdNXLJNpUetnMIL2sIS0Ah7_rFUImn5Fe62an3SvDwdXSF8t28sGX0O/s1600/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwS6JMd5REA-tVpnzXeHFhOeYOL26y7YEreOJpIyG2DJE_lkZTsbN90X2yr_lXLovuhdlaUcpbKYL1f1yONWw9-sdNXLJNpUetnMIL2sIS0Ah7_rFUImn5Fe62an3SvDwdXSF8t28sGX0O/s640/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Limited express and special themed trains serving this train station include:<br />
<br />
(1) <b>Thomas Land-go トーマスランド号</b>, a local train which makes two round trip per day along Fujikyuko line. Happened to hop onto one when we were travelling from Fujisan Station to Shimoyoshida Station 下吉田駅. The two-carriage train is decorated by the characters originating from Thomas and Friends, inside out. I was fully absorbed in exploring the train during the short 5 minutes journey, walking from one end to the other, gasping with excitement as my eyes scrolled through the colourful pictures on the walls/ceiling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrG80VR6UP03sDkA-XdxI8T9Jadc0gLX3-G6SRpCn4EtgkHK_0wqLBSnspmfU48QO7cFaRMlpBV3NBhWEVTas6dXRIlHpkKm-aAgEyJMhiqKmjxyJYW2A-XZfsEDgL0ECVcAASwZUtami/s1600/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrG80VR6UP03sDkA-XdxI8T9Jadc0gLX3-G6SRpCn4EtgkHK_0wqLBSnspmfU48QO7cFaRMlpBV3NBhWEVTas6dXRIlHpkKm-aAgEyJMhiqKmjxyJYW2A-XZfsEDgL0ECVcAASwZUtami/s640/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB3qBrjtOLX7GDxdCW3z-2sw-Q4tDbiaxfAhXoNfq2B4U1p3Y1Fe0QWT2M0uWMr0-r4RFTIQTCAAHgLPgnbphcCvJAVYZQ8RUw6s_P6ygubz6iePerIrCkJ8hBUcS1RbO5VFSWBJY1BYj/s1600/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibB3qBrjtOLX7GDxdCW3z-2sw-Q4tDbiaxfAhXoNfq2B4U1p3Y1Fe0QWT2M0uWMr0-r4RFTIQTCAAHgLPgnbphcCvJAVYZQ8RUw6s_P6ygubz6iePerIrCkJ8hBUcS1RbO5VFSWBJY1BYj/s640/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHq6Fe9UXZkY9pJuBw314y5Tod3MULpyM5bI6-lTLJxOiAaFrDZ4M9_vjUQ4xRHZL_DrogwRw-2duh_j2VaIQvI1o-2o2Cc10GPPMJmMa36NIGhKcTy96Ee-M2MB6pDTwgxhNHAOpabSw/s1600/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHq6Fe9UXZkY9pJuBw314y5Tod3MULpyM5bI6-lTLJxOiAaFrDZ4M9_vjUQ4xRHZL_DrogwRw-2duh_j2VaIQvI1o-2o2Cc10GPPMJmMa36NIGhKcTy96Ee-M2MB6pDTwgxhNHAOpabSw/s640/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrPKVMIWBiGV0hKUTQ8926gPSg7q7aegQUl2GKYWfu4nFh-ivyr1m2k9MIzHXoRhUAaqU-O1FXb6_lVZN7k1p8wB21XDIongP6jWwtfPa-pTD9G5U6lKCVComZMzyqUJog8uxf58qiL8s/s1600/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrPKVMIWBiGV0hKUTQ8926gPSg7q7aegQUl2GKYWfu4nFh-ivyr1m2k9MIzHXoRhUAaqU-O1FXb6_lVZN7k1p8wB21XDIongP6jWwtfPa-pTD9G5U6lKCVComZMzyqUJog8uxf58qiL8s/s640/16+Oct+Thomas+Train+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_xCUe9-YHtJkwqmesyiCr7p_XetIYXx_qWQ3bZ_8DmzPmPuTReu68K7dimgR3O7JfCAcVd2ZBDatiJ4ZgtH0VNIzNxjeEhk1psy21RwMVBmL7C3tDkDSY4tS-pCMrpotL4zBBth2xdWZ/s1600/14+Oct+Fujisan+Station+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_xCUe9-YHtJkwqmesyiCr7p_XetIYXx_qWQ3bZ_8DmzPmPuTReu68K7dimgR3O7JfCAcVd2ZBDatiJ4ZgtH0VNIzNxjeEhk1psy21RwMVBmL7C3tDkDSY4tS-pCMrpotL4zBBth2xdWZ/s640/14+Oct+Fujisan+Station+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Hit cartoon series.</i> I only realised that the British cartoon series, Thomas and Friends series, was so well received in Japan after seeing a exact replication of Thomas on one of the train heads of Oigawa Tetsudo (in Shizuoka Prefecture). There is even a Thomas Land established in Fuji Q Highland theme park where kids can enjoy rides or take photos with huge figurines featuring the main characters. And that's not all. For each of the eighteen train stations along Fujikyuko line, the platform name boards feature a different character from the cartoon series. Look out for Thomas at Fuji Q Highland Station while Fujisan Station is represented by James, the red engine.<br />
<a href="http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/thomas.php">http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/thomas.php</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPudYBRZfmMqwOVfGq3e5g_aSgq7renTxq0pm3cOb6Rhx-suajzZ3GlHEbp3BiBSesEf0ApI9YkhSr7YNl2SAo5c-QwpEsca8h3WjObNFmGPJ0g3552VN_fAkMA9UU5ZB7DFMTaA97C2D/s1600/14+Oct+Kawaguchiko+Station+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPudYBRZfmMqwOVfGq3e5g_aSgq7renTxq0pm3cOb6Rhx-suajzZ3GlHEbp3BiBSesEf0ApI9YkhSr7YNl2SAo5c-QwpEsca8h3WjObNFmGPJ0g3552VN_fAkMA9UU5ZB7DFMTaA97C2D/s640/14+Oct+Kawaguchiko+Station+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fuji Tozan Densha</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(2) <b>Fuji Tozan Densha 富士登山電車</b>, a limited express train commuting between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko, stopping by Mittsutoge 三つ峠駅, Shimoyoshida 下吉田駅, Fujisan 富士山駅 and Fuji Q Highland 富士急ハイランド駅. The train makes a 1.5 round trip on weekdays and two round trips on weekends/public holidays. Both Fuji Tozan Densha and Fujisan View Limited Express are attractively donned in stunning vermilion with exquisite interior design to impress its onboard passengers. Fuji Tozan Densha is made up of two train carriages named Aka-Fuji (Red Fuji) and Ao-Fuji (Blue Fuji) respectively, with matching colours utilised. Putting on a retro modern style, natural materials such as wood and cloth were employed as much as possible to decorate the train interior. It is a pity I was not able to suit my schedule to ride on either themed train this time round and hopefully I can eventually get to do so one day! Take note that an additional 200 yen fare is required to board this train.<br />
<a href="http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujitozandensha.php">http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujitozandensha.php</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h6qFZD3o3zzZaIncwMWE09V17u5oLEw3HrSy_8UE2B63DUTNSuxz2yknXOOMZjH1JlsRE9IpXNNRrj_VRjXSdyBBWaCAWGYE1jfe8FVWlnj-icWVHUsGSvjyWjqPWhYMoXEX3KSbH8K0/s1600/14+Oct+Kawaguchiko+Station+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1h6qFZD3o3zzZaIncwMWE09V17u5oLEw3HrSy_8UE2B63DUTNSuxz2yknXOOMZjH1JlsRE9IpXNNRrj_VRjXSdyBBWaCAWGYE1jfe8FVWlnj-icWVHUsGSvjyWjqPWhYMoXEX3KSbH8K0/s640/14+Oct+Kawaguchiko+Station+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fujisan View Limited Express.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(3) <b>Fujisan View Limited Express 富士山ビュー特急</b>, a limited express train commuting between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko, stopping by Tsurubunka Daigaku-mae 都留文科大学前, Fujisan 富士山駅 and Fuji Q Highland 富士急ハイランド駅. The three-carriage train makes two round trips on weekdays and three round trips on weekends/public holidays. One exclusive service offered by this particular train is the sweets plan (スイーツプラン) and this is only available on weekends/public holidays. The dessert menu is specially created by Highland Resort & Spa (which is also owned by Fujikyu) and cost 4,000 yen per person. For the reserved seats in Car 1, a top up of 900 yen is required. Whereas for the non-reserved seats in Car 2 and 3, an additional 400 yen is collected for commuting between Otsuki to Fujisan/Fuji Q Highland/Kawaguchi-ko.<br />
<a href="http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujisan_view_express.php">http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujisan_view_express.php</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRggGyt3ofTbzebZPAV9OK3TL0Qx7mzAWzhnmB_Ig2kMGQ1FsbCPLZuEC4Kmn6RgSwb1MAwhb0sirntd_MMjejWp8UA5k13h9QltN6Ve4gfXWgftrOyd2bkygMp-t0Iw-DL4iDf3OnHt4/s1600/16+Oct+Kawaguchiko+Station+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRggGyt3ofTbzebZPAV9OK3TL0Qx7mzAWzhnmB_Ig2kMGQ1FsbCPLZuEC4Kmn6RgSwb1MAwhb0sirntd_MMjejWp8UA5k13h9QltN6Ve4gfXWgftrOyd2bkygMp-t0Iw-DL4iDf3OnHt4/s640/16+Oct+Kawaguchiko+Station+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isn't he adorable?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(4) <b>Fujisan Limited Express フジサン特急</b>, a limited express train commuting between Otsuki and Kawaguchi-ko, stopping by Tsurubunka Daigaku-mae 都留文科大学前, Fujisan 富士山駅 and Fuji Q Highland 富士急ハイランド駅 (similar to Fujisan View Limited Express). The train makes three round trips on weekdays and two round trips on weekends/public holidays (opposite to Fujisan View Limited Express). Caught a glimpse of this adorable looking Fujisan Limited Express when we alighted at Fujisan Station and was totally amused by the wacky Fujisan inspired cartoon characters which occupied the exterior wall of the train.<br />
<a href="http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujisan_express.php">http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/train/fujisan_express.php</a><br />
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>What's nearby?</b><br />
<br />
(1) Fujiyoshida-shi Tourist Information Center 富士吉田市観光案内所, opposite to the train station. A place to head down to retrieve brochures and sightseeing maps of Fujiyoshida City. Feel free to approach the knowledgeable staff here for more information or direction advice on any places of interest in the area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQexLnk_avx5AKgLsFc1iJosniSG6iwdJ6fS6R-7klztFRWaVoIWOckfPnVAlDUh0mUzkcKjCZ0ip2NXzPyTZ92COtoYcXB48hvSGNJXLKPZEcFWRQevz_YrG5ozZfYLanWzHEQRJzl21/s1600/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQexLnk_avx5AKgLsFc1iJosniSG6iwdJ6fS6R-7klztFRWaVoIWOckfPnVAlDUh0mUzkcKjCZ0ip2NXzPyTZ92COtoYcXB48hvSGNJXLKPZEcFWRQevz_YrG5ozZfYLanWzHEQRJzl21/s640/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bus terminal, located just outside the train station.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKe948Xex0-mBLWFGIHFYa1fZNQKe2Hhke4uR_5V7TqI-G5jjNKExNFMley0h6ri8HFt5_wSAe6HvVNSIWDNOROzTX_wUp9bqI0u8VI1TPDOC32paee50U9H64C_pqiBpuLK23H917ygW/s1600/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKe948Xex0-mBLWFGIHFYa1fZNQKe2Hhke4uR_5V7TqI-G5jjNKExNFMley0h6ri8HFt5_wSAe6HvVNSIWDNOROzTX_wUp9bqI0u8VI1TPDOC32paee50U9H64C_pqiBpuLK23H917ygW/s640/17+Oct+Fujisan+Station+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bus Stop 3 for buses heading for Oshino Hakkai, Yamanaka-ko, Heino and Gotenba.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(2) Bus Terminal バスタミナール, just outside the train station.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bus Stop 3:<br />
- for Fujikko-go Bus ふじっこ号バス heading for Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海, Hananomiyako Koen 花の都公園 and Hirano 平野.<br />
Bus schedule: <a href="http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/rosen/shuyufujikkogo">http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/rosen/shuyufujikkogo</a><br />
- for Fujikyuko Bus (heading for Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海 and Gotenba JR Station 御殿場駅.<br />
- for Fujikyuko Bus heading for Hananomiyako Koen 花の都公園, Gotenba JR Station 御殿場駅 and Gotenba Premium Outlet 御殿場プレミアムアウトレット.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bus schedule: <a href="http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/gotemba/20181001/timetable_2.pdf">http://bus.fujikyu.co.jp/pdf/rosen/gotemba/20181001/timetable_2.pdf</a><br />
<br />
(3) Q-STA, a shopping mall connected to the train station.<br />
The anchor tenants are MUJI (3F) and Daiso (4F) and there are a handful of eateries such as MOS Burger and Uotami housed within the same building. There is a souvenir shop (Gateway Fujiyama) located on the ground floor where a wide variety of Fujisan related merchandise can be purchased. </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.q-sta.jp/">http://www.q-sta.jp/</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
======</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Commemorative stamps</b>: </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7opimaVRkR2eCaSAxNhAndHTDsxwuFPnTlMaB5MHOwy6mOJhqHfi99M0swe1K8UjtFW-nmsvq2DMoDLriV10luW0Wnes1a_72LPfBmt1isIFFTIr2Gn4ZxtVsEOzF-cSCs-Maqo0sFZKd/s1600/fujisan+station+stamp+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7opimaVRkR2eCaSAxNhAndHTDsxwuFPnTlMaB5MHOwy6mOJhqHfi99M0swe1K8UjtFW-nmsvq2DMoDLriV10luW0Wnes1a_72LPfBmt1isIFFTIr2Gn4ZxtVsEOzF-cSCs-Maqo0sFZKd/s400/fujisan+station+stamp+1.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fujisan Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuWTtkKj0Q7pzyeyzg15loPYCksBJHAuC2aeKONOM3zMSnRELA1Y8TnqldBoYyYA2mNxoZLtjkYay94f-_KVk9E3fHId5d4qMBGAetRkc2SktxOnqRj7HCKQpc-qILE1tV-0kc2s2Jx43/s1600/fujiyoshida+stamp+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuWTtkKj0Q7pzyeyzg15loPYCksBJHAuC2aeKONOM3zMSnRELA1Y8TnqldBoYyYA2mNxoZLtjkYay94f-_KVk9E3fHId5d4qMBGAetRkc2SktxOnqRj7HCKQpc-qILE1tV-0kc2s2Jx43/s400/fujiyoshida+stamp+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fujiyoshida-shi Tourist Information Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-89404021534232708522018-12-15T22:30:00.001-08:002018-12-15T22:30:06.450-08:00Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Fujisan Station Hotel 富士山ステーションホテル<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Stayed 16.10.2018 (Tue)</b><br />
Booked thru' Jalan.net<br />
Triple room: 18,000 yen/night (inclusive of breakfast)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrDlXRaNYfEJoZyDKB4a1FAEH2cv9ftMD4_Re_vgq0IzmacmMcTQ6FsJSwB2myWucxzZzhmiWDeMBKNWgBmTYwChEsJx8C4fy_LJ2EzxwNYfP0fBUxtrtDVZIIWYt8I-qoCODHKX-4N5s/s1600/IMG_8243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrDlXRaNYfEJoZyDKB4a1FAEH2cv9ftMD4_Re_vgq0IzmacmMcTQ6FsJSwB2myWucxzZzhmiWDeMBKNWgBmTYwChEsJx8C4fy_LJ2EzxwNYfP0fBUxtrtDVZIIWYt8I-qoCODHKX-4N5s/s640/IMG_8243.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Accessibility</i>. Owned by Fujikyu group, Fujisan Station Hotel, as the name suggests, is located in the vicinity of Fujisan Station. Its close proximity to the train station makes it convenient for guests to utilize both the train and bus network to explore areas around Fuji five lakes such as Kawaguchi-ko and Yamanaka-ko, and also Fuji-Q Highland, a large scale amusement park well known for its thrilling high speed roller coaster rides. Stayed here for a night and visited nearby attractions such as Arakurayama Sengen Koen (where a breathtaking view of Fuji-san, together with a pagoda and Fuji Yoshida city can be captured), Oshino Hakkai and Yamanaka-ko over two days. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDG4XhieFJgeugm3ivcrkgQ3sc9ksUmPWEnoU7BouQhNMZODOOvUP5CB1WpBplQTxj3Aw8oeVTuq85tEkbM5hYXwRQSk16RxrF4YI550O45efaoCABJYu7g68HjYpFhWD4ifhapN0JfXZ/s1600/IMG_8231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDG4XhieFJgeugm3ivcrkgQ3sc9ksUmPWEnoU7BouQhNMZODOOvUP5CB1WpBplQTxj3Aw8oeVTuq85tEkbM5hYXwRQSk16RxrF4YI550O45efaoCABJYu7g68HjYpFhWD4ifhapN0JfXZ/s640/IMG_8231.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0uvXxWvn0ZPolP4InTQ7ULUS-t9waRUmQRbLNmO3O-qkoXSmjTrxZ8kdhy2vyO4ZjtJofglsFP5MvYb6KtUJqTDenT-mem4VbM9tbcN_-aRFHClTicvVlKbe9n1BqrE_LcqD7LfMV8pY/s1600/IMG_8235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0uvXxWvn0ZPolP4InTQ7ULUS-t9waRUmQRbLNmO3O-qkoXSmjTrxZ8kdhy2vyO4ZjtJofglsFP5MvYb6KtUJqTDenT-mem4VbM9tbcN_-aRFHClTicvVlKbe9n1BqrE_LcqD7LfMV8pY/s640/IMG_8235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_SgzzHn-2Y6rnN7RCQN_YIdh7-RgW1W3zP3LTL5Krn03rCt90ewXJRLT9sj_G4QBvtO-UOWI9lIHjMoaCF4u1QKltFyoGF6dUK7rpNYgGXTCqfUA3gIcVXUh0efokGQreSE7EXyoPRJw/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_SgzzHn-2Y6rnN7RCQN_YIdh7-RgW1W3zP3LTL5Krn03rCt90ewXJRLT9sj_G4QBvtO-UOWI9lIHjMoaCF4u1QKltFyoGF6dUK7rpNYgGXTCqfUA3gIcVXUh0efokGQreSE7EXyoPRJw/s640/Slide1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Perks</i>. The services provided by Fujisan Station Hotel do not differ much from other typical business budget hotels. We had the triple room which came with three super single beds. The 21 m2 room was surprisingly spacious with adequate walking space even after opening up the luggages. One incentive that guests get to enjoy here is a spectacular view of Fuji-san could even be sighted clearly from its rooms on a good weather day. Was extremely fortunate to be blessed by good weather, as we woke up to a stunning view of Fuji-san, seen right from our room! The other perk exclusive to guests residing in Fujikyu group of hotels is the complimentary <a href="http://www.fujisanstation-hotel.com/en/access/">sightseeting tour bus service</a> that commutes from the hotels to Fuji-Q Highland and Fujikyuko Fujisan and Kawaguchi-ko Station. Breakfast was buffet style and the spread was decent, with both western (scrambled eggs, sausages, etc) and Japanese style made available. For dinner, we had <a href="http://www.q-sta.jp/shop/1f07.html">MOS Burger</a> at Q-STA, a small shopping mall connected to Fujisan Station. There are a handful of eateries, such as Uotami and small food courts serving Yoshida Udon, housed within the shopping mall to choose from. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInSauvjTqxLE0HUH0DhSiQGPxlqmG5DBW6ZAgxkGS-hC82sGlEfRKWK2xH0k7E8Do9PQKRDi6I8f_MfG9ZFSYUn0nVd6HvCOgrt6RX5moqtiBu2Y47gEZJN-eSYkKK0tADsT1D3qBE8gD/s1600/IMG_8221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInSauvjTqxLE0HUH0DhSiQGPxlqmG5DBW6ZAgxkGS-hC82sGlEfRKWK2xH0k7E8Do9PQKRDi6I8f_MfG9ZFSYUn0nVd6HvCOgrt6RX5moqtiBu2Y47gEZJN-eSYkKK0tADsT1D3qBE8gD/s640/IMG_8221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrHEn7dF651893ur_jFW603036xvwPxlAJMz53n3OrhOnBOWq51e190aPSo9DmZ15HNj60xIiJCABSqQXP8y05R_PCS4oZsHrNYeW84RXCgyGHYsC3SUU8JWvLCTevq6hlDkXGS3w5EcX/s1600/17+Oct+Mt+Fuji+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrHEn7dF651893ur_jFW603036xvwPxlAJMz53n3OrhOnBOWq51e190aPSo9DmZ15HNj60xIiJCABSqQXP8y05R_PCS4oZsHrNYeW84RXCgyGHYsC3SUU8JWvLCTevq6hlDkXGS3w5EcX/s640/17+Oct+Mt+Fuji+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
======<br />
<br />
<b>Fujisan Station Hotel 富士山ステーションホテル</b><br />
山梨県富士吉田市松山2-7-12<br />
<a href="http://www.fujisanstation-hotel.com/">http://www.fujisanstation-hotel.com/</a><br />
<br />
<b>How to get there?</b><br />
(1) By foot. 2 minutes walk from Fujikyuko Fujisan Station 富士急行富士山駅.<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d2297.2420399027337!2d138.79360444085944!3d35.484718291458684!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x323599b626c4286a!2sFujisan+Station+Hotel!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1544941178252" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe></div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com02 Chome-7-12 Matsuyama, Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi-ken 403-0016, Japan35.4849218 138.794669399999984.5894833000000013 97.486075399999976 66.3803603 -179.89673660000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1123568317129216894.post-38636511432231342172018-12-08T16:32:00.001-08:002018-12-09T05:39:11.340-08:00Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">
<b>Stayed 3 nights: 12.10.2018 (Fri), 13.10.2018 (Sat), 17.10.2018 (Wed)</b><br />
Booked thru’ Toyoko Inn website.<br />
- Single room: 6,175 yen/night<br />
- Twin room: 9,500 yen/night<br />
* Price inclusive of 5% member discount.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pWYh0tSGP2Oxm8GaTRIAX5FiTWNbX4bEaNSS5wcy8ohuOrJ1nQJ82rsI9-eUdatqdrs3Ma92Yfiy-wLueFtPmvXT7pYVJcD8e-OO1gULyZhMkfAp1R7uyhvbHEsOnt06tteCgyz5-nEt/s1600/18+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+Kofu+1.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pWYh0tSGP2Oxm8GaTRIAX5FiTWNbX4bEaNSS5wcy8ohuOrJ1nQJ82rsI9-eUdatqdrs3Ma92Yfiy-wLueFtPmvXT7pYVJcD8e-OO1gULyZhMkfAp1R7uyhvbHEsOnt06tteCgyz5-nEt/s640/18+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+Kofu+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>First choice.</i> After multiple trips to Japan, Toyoko Inn has become my top choice of hotel whenever possible. This time round, we stayed in Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 on all the nights in Kofu-shi, because of its ideal location near the train station. Currently, there are only two branches of Toyoko Inn in Yamanashi Prefecture and both of them are found within Kofu-shi and within walking distance from Kofu JR Station South Exit. Location wise, Kofu Ekimae Minami Guchi 2 has a greater advantage since it is just right opposite the train station - the distinct building can be easily identified once upon exiting from the train station. On the other hand, Minami Guchi 1 is about 7 minutes walk from the train station, located closer to Maizuru Jo Koen. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqrf9TTY6WQNgSO2mWG_AlGi3G6BGcGRHTF0IXyJpFEYniTCEDifOQiVwoHxr0HGPXbdU9HFQthdYAunJc4H_sZuiMGmp814bWQQZa45rqNL_zAO_d_dH-q5KKkdIhTemZupeaKvKgQ3K/s1600/12+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqrf9TTY6WQNgSO2mWG_AlGi3G6BGcGRHTF0IXyJpFEYniTCEDifOQiVwoHxr0HGPXbdU9HFQthdYAunJc4H_sZuiMGmp814bWQQZa45rqNL_zAO_d_dH-q5KKkdIhTemZupeaKvKgQ3K/s640/12+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ample walking space within room.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4I-JOtDwZdVUrEFVQ8A6GITAs0ngKQRFGYXf1Vf1wixC5oLANGCTxOdH67yyjoLP3NSUMFaHpa0pZuAV1HuavQrQNVwvFweNlNVxFMDTwsQfkdQP_Y6nDT05LEbQnb071hSzyp9cJs62/s1600/12+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4I-JOtDwZdVUrEFVQ8A6GITAs0ngKQRFGYXf1Vf1wixC5oLANGCTxOdH67yyjoLP3NSUMFaHpa0pZuAV1HuavQrQNVwvFweNlNVxFMDTwsQfkdQP_Y6nDT05LEbQnb071hSzyp9cJs62/s640/12+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interior of single room.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4iKFAvX6qFvVbpFshussa8NBUC9g327khxApWoUMkVmBL51unncrVhxWi_vXLSRW66XOKrgQVX88AtUzKKW3u10AViJN3NePGD_fJAOtTwEXA0ddQhsBLLG8spQztDvN6v4qyeTZd75_/s1600/12+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4iKFAvX6qFvVbpFshussa8NBUC9g327khxApWoUMkVmBL51unncrVhxWi_vXLSRW66XOKrgQVX88AtUzKKW3u10AViJN3NePGD_fJAOtTwEXA0ddQhsBLLG8spQztDvN6v4qyeTZd75_/s640/12+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+3.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interior of single room.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Perks.</i> Will not elaborate much on the accommodation since the business model has been quite consistent among all Toyoko Inn branches I have stayed so far, and there has not been any changes since I last stayed with Toyoko Inn (when I visited Ibaraki Prefecture) a year ago. One of the perks enjoyed by a Toyoko Inn Club member is a free one night stay (in a single room) being awarded after the 10th stay. Being an avid supporter of Toyoko Inn, I have also accumulated enough points from previous trips to redeem a free one night stay this time round.</div>
Toyoko Inn Club membership: <a href="https://www.toyoko-inn.com/club/">https://www.toyoko-inn.com/club/</a><br />
<br />
<i>Highlights.</i> If you are staying on the higher levels of the hotel, a good view of Maizuru Jo Koen / Maizuru Castle Park 舞鶴城公園 can be seen from the window at one end of the corridor. And if you are lucky enough, you can even spot the majestic Fuji-san from the hotel as well! Complimentary breakfast is served in the morning starting from 0630 hrs till around 0900 hrs. Here, the local specialty, Houtou ほうとう, was served in replacement of miso soup, which I felt was a thoughtful gesture by the hotel to introduce this well known local noodle dish to its guests. All in all, I can always count on Toyoko Inn for a good night rest during my stay in Japan!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jr6SdOYYY7uLtUaOFiNAukNSKh1m-X-q1BeisM0H-Ov1uHyRvKQoM9GxU1-h57G-epbU7hzscYEdfbPJgFNsxJSVISLM9D11yYZX1spcJ7kFPIOapHIwQHpdJZho_MCbtfjQN1cxCi3n/s1600/14+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jr6SdOYYY7uLtUaOFiNAukNSKh1m-X-q1BeisM0H-Ov1uHyRvKQoM9GxU1-h57G-epbU7hzscYEdfbPJgFNsxJSVISLM9D11yYZX1spcJ7kFPIOapHIwQHpdJZho_MCbtfjQN1cxCi3n/s640/14+Oct+Toyoko+Inn+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maizuru Castle Park viewed from 12th storey of hotel.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBUp8gjHxtFR57LRV-rjVU7mLbd76RXTosFbLGSks3-PqmVKQKcmYPr1AHB3aIRDJXRbrejZf3WXy2ot5JJI3JV8pFAQ8C3e6t2xa3yT6pq8q_Y8TTFTDyreQjlsnQW_YEBypJEszKXZP/s1600/20+Oct+toyoko+inn+kofu+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBUp8gjHxtFR57LRV-rjVU7mLbd76RXTosFbLGSks3-PqmVKQKcmYPr1AHB3aIRDJXRbrejZf3WXy2ot5JJI3JV8pFAQ8C3e6t2xa3yT6pq8q_Y8TTFTDyreQjlsnQW_YEBypJEszKXZP/s640/20+Oct+toyoko+inn+kofu+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lobby and dinning area.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
======</div>
<br />
<b>What’s nearby? </b><br />
<br />
(1) <a href="http://hsuchia.blogspot.com/2018/12/yamanashi-2018-kofu-jr-station-aeon-mall-kofu-showa.html">Kofu JR Station 甲府駅 and Bus Terminal バスターミナル</a>, a stone throw away from the hotel. <br />
<br />
(2) Maizuru Jo Koen 舞鶴城公園, less than 3 minutes walk away from the hotel. <br />
A public park now; was originally the site of Maizuru Castle 舞鶴城 (or Kofu Castle 甲府城), which would have been 400 years old if it existed. Though the castle keep tower or tenshukaku 天守閣 is no longer around, the stone laid fortress is still well preserved and its relatively high elevation makes it an excellent observatory to capture a good 360 degree overview of Kofu city. <br />
<a href="https://www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp/welcome/rekishi/kofujyou.html">https://www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp/welcome/rekishi/kofujyou.html</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsymc8YrBo4JrinRGG0Va07Ym_YNRDTs0o-r_xNmp3rPzH0qYmtgeV6Whp_34gv6U-UZFIYkTRxGyfs4bIZwx8ERBi58BdwoStTo0MpTDVXhH6-suW6_fEdgTqyimK8zRRcgiTiq1Dpmd/s1600/13+Oct+Kofu+21.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsymc8YrBo4JrinRGG0Va07Ym_YNRDTs0o-r_xNmp3rPzH0qYmtgeV6Whp_34gv6U-UZFIYkTRxGyfs4bIZwx8ERBi58BdwoStTo0MpTDVXhH6-suW6_fEdgTqyimK8zRRcgiTiq1Dpmd/s640/13+Oct+Kofu+21.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yamanashi Prefectural Office.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
(3) Museum of Modern Yamanashi Historical Figures 山梨近代人物館, just across the main road. <br />
Designated as a cultural property, the annex of Yamanashi prefectural office houses a museum documenting the achievements of famous people originated from Yamanashi Prefecture and their contributions in various fields of work such as politics, finance, education, agriculture, international relations, arts, research, etc. <br />
- Free admission<br />
<a href="https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/ykj/index.html">https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/ykj/index.html</a><br />
<div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 20.3px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">======</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">〒400-0031 山梨県甲府市丸の内2-3-2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.toyoko-inn.com/search/detail/00132">https://www.toyoko-inn.com/search/detail/00132</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How to get there?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(1) By foot. 1 minute walk from Kofu JR Station South Exit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d3241.443107343868!2d138.56646090409092!3d35.66608992072466!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x6e4cc38771b72d4b!2sToyoko+Inn+Kofu+Station+South+Exit+2!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1544283270981" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
hsuchiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07323559583049735369noreply@blogger.com02 Chome-3-2 Marunouchi, Kofu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan35.6656018 138.567743000000064.7701692999999992 97.259149000000065 66.561034299999989 179.87633700000006