Town of folklore. Tono JR Station 遠野駅, is a train station on Kamaishi line in Iwate Prefecture. Ended my magical journey on board SL Ginga, a themed train inspired by Miyazawa Kenji's fantasy novel titled Night on the Galactic Railroad (Ginga tetsudo no yoru 銀河鉄道の夜). Spent the afternoon exploring this town which is said to be the place that set the stage for many local folktales. Located in the outskirts of the town, Densyoen provided insight to how the lifestyle of farming communities were in the past. On the other hand, visitors can even try their luck in "fishing" kappa, a water ghost/creature mentioned in traditional Japanese folklore, in one of the rivers here. Unbelievable isn't it? One other unique fact about Tono city is that Jingisukan / Genghis Khan ジンギスカン, a Japanese grilled mutton dish which most of us would relate this to Hokkaido, is actually a local specialty and I will say it is as good as (or even better than) what I have tasted before in Sapporo previously.
Limited express and sightseeing train serving this train station include:
(1) SL Ginga SL銀河, a steam locomotive sightseeing train which commutes between Hanamaki and Kamaishi, stopping by Shin Hanamaki and Tono via Kamaishi line. This special themed train is only operated on weekends and public holidays.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/galaxysl.html
(2) Rapid Hamayuri はまゆり, is rapid service operated between Morioka and Kamaishi, stopping by Hanamaki, Shin Hanamaki and Tono, and the train makes three round trips per day.
======
What's nearby?
(1) Tourist information center 遠野市観光交流センター, location just opposite to the train station.
(2) Bus stop, located just outside the train station.
For Densyoen 伝承園 and Kappabuchi カッパ淵,
- Board Iwate Ken Kotsu Bus Tsuchibuchi line 岩手県交通 土淵線 heading for Densyoen 伝承園/ Nishiuchi 西 / Ontoku 恩徳, alight at Densyoen-mae 伝承園前.
- Or board Iwate Ken Kotsu Bus Tsukimoushi line 岩手県交通 附馬牛線, heading for Saka no shita 坂の下, alight at Ashiaraigawa 足洗川.
Bus schedule: http://www.iwatekenkotsu.co.jp/pdf/timetable/21_hanamaki/21250_toono-jikoku.pdf
(3) Tono monogatari no ya / Tono Folktale Museum 遠野物語の館, about 5 minutes walk from train station.
Recommended by the staff from the tourist information center, this museum showcases the traditional Japanese folklore, a valuable cultural heritage which the town hopes to pass down to many future generations to come.
http://www.city.tono.iwate.jp/index.cfm/48,23855,166,html
 |
| Try to spot Kappa, a water ghost/creature mentioned in Japanese folklore, in various representations while exploring Tono city. |
Commemorative stamps:
No comments:
Post a Comment