Chugoku Sanyo, San-in 中国地方山陽、山陰 - Mine JR Station 美祢駅, Nagato Yumoto JR Station 長門湯本駅

Both Mine JR Station (美祢駅) and Nagato Yumoto JR Station are located along Mine line (美祢線). Mine line is a 46 km long railway line in Yamaguchi Prefecture which connects Asa (厚狭駅) on the Sanyo main line to Nagato-shi (長門市駅) on the San'in main line. This single track railway line is only served by single carriage trains with about 1 train operating every 1 - 2 hours.

Collected this set of stickers depicting the three themed trains operating along Mine line. 

To promote ridership along Mine line, a portion of the trains were beautifully wrapped with pictures depicting stories arising from and places in surrounding areas. Currently, there are three different themes:

- San'in Onoda-go 山陽小野田号, decorated with pictures depicting the story of "Sannen netaro" (三年寝太郎; A man called Taro who slept for three years). It is said that once upon a time in Onoda city, there lived a man called Taro who did not work and slept most of his time sleeping. After sleeping for three years and three months, he finally woke up and requested for a boat filled with straw sandals from his father. He rowed all the way to Sado island (in Niigata) and returned with damaged straw sandals which he exchanged the new ones for from the gold miners. When he washed the damaged straw sandals, he discovered gold nuggets in the waters. He used the money he earned from selling the gold nuggets to build a weir across Asa River (厚狭川) and facilities to irrigate paddy fields, which brought prosperity to the locals in the city.

On board Mine-go!

- Mine-go 美祢号, decorated with pictures of Akiyoshidai (Japan's largest karst formation), sakura (flower representing Mine city) and Akiyoshido's iconic Hyakumaizara (百枚皿, 100 plates) and Koganebashira (黄金柱; Golden pillar).

- Nagato-go 長門号; decorated with fireworks of Mine city (held annually during summer) and a poetry named "Kodamadeshoka" (こだまでしょうか; Are you an echo?) written by Misuzu Kaneko (金子みすゞ), a talented children poetry writer who was born in Senzaki, Nagato city, in 1903.

JR Mine Line (in Japanese): http://www.jrminesen.com/

======

Mine JR Station 美祢駅

Nature's work of art. Mine-shi is well known for Akiyoshidai (秋吉台) and Akiyoshido (秋芳洞). Akiyoshitai is Japan's largest karst formation and is designated as a quasi-national park. The limestone which forms Akiyoshitai began life as coral reefs about 300 million years ago. The dissolution of limestone overtime created this unique karst landscape here. Akiyoshido is the largest limestone cave in East Asia, situated just below Akiyoshidai. Visited both on a day trip and I was overwhelmed by the breathtaking landscape; this is truly one of the most prominent landmark of Yamaguchi Prefecture, which I will strongly encourage everyone to visit!
Akiyoshitai and Akiyoshido: https://karusuto.com/

What's nearby?

(1) Bus stop, just in front of the train station.
For Akiyoshido:
- Sanden Bus サンデン交通バス, Akiyoshido line 秋芳洞線.
Fee = 620 yen
Bus schedule (latest): http://www.sandenkotsu.co.jp/uploads/sites/2/2018/03/TT03_300316.pdf
- Sentetsu Bus 船木鉄道バス, Anmonaito-go あんもないと号. As this is a community bus serving local residents, the bus fare is much cheaper than the former. However, there are less bus services in comparison. Also note that the bus schedules are different on weekdays and weekends/public holidays.
Fee = 200 yen
Bus schedule (in Japanese):
http://www.sentetsu.biz-web.jp/
https://karusuto.com/access/

* Please note that JR Chugoku Bus Akiyoshido/Akiyoshitai line does not stop at Mine JR Station anymore.

******

Nagato Yumoto JR Station 長門湯本駅

Longest history. The origin of Nagato Yumoto Onsen dates all the way back to Muromachi period (1336 – 1573). It was discovered by the chief priest of Taineiji (大寧寺), who was told about the existent of a hot spring source in the surroundings by Sumiyoshidaimyojin (住吉大明神) while he was mediating. Nagato Yumoto Onsen has the longest history than any other hot spring areas in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The train station is located about 10 minutes walk away from the main hot spring town where hotels, ryokans and public communal bathhouses can be found.
Nagato Yumoto Onsen (in Japanese): http://yumotoonsen.com/

What's nearby?

(1) Bus stop, just outside the train station.
- Sanden Bus サンデン交通バス, Shimonoseki ~ Tawarayama, Nagato, Senzaki line 下関～俵山・長門・仙崎線. This bus service operates between Shimonoseki 下関, Tawarayama Onsen 俵山温泉, Nagato Yumoto Onsen Entrance 湯本温泉入口, Nagato, Senzaki and Otomari 大泊 (in Omijima 青海島).

======

Commemorative stamp:

Boarding certificate.