Thursday, May 7, 2020

Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Echigo Yuzawa Station 越後湯沢駅, Yuzawa Onsen 湯沢温泉



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.

First time seeing lockers dedicated for ski!


Trains serving this train station include:
(1) Shinkansen Toki / Max Toki とき via Joetsu Shinkansen line 上越新幹線:
- travels northwards to Urasa 浦佐駅, Nagaoka 長岡駅, Tsubame Sanjo 燕三条駅 and Niigata 新潟駅.
- travels southwards to Takasaki 高崎駅 and Tokyo 東京駅.
(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.
(3) Local trains via Joetsu line 上越線:
- travels northwards to Miyauchi 宮内駅.
- travels southwards to Takasaki 高崎駅.
(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.

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What’s nearby?

(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.



(2) CoCoLo Yuzawa Gangidoori / CoCoLo 湯沢.がんぎどおり, within the train station building.
http://www.cocolo-station.jp/pc?sc_name=yuzawa

- Ponshukan ぽんしゅ館 - Sake tasting
Operating hours: 0900 - 1900 hrs (last order at 1830 hrs)
- Sake spa Yunosawa  酒風呂湯の沢
Operating hours: 1030 - 1830 hrs (last entry at 1800 hrs)
Fee = 800 yen (Adult); 400 yen (Child)
https://www.ponshukan.com/

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. 







(3) Echigo Yuzawa Onsen Street 越後湯沢温泉通り, exit the train station from West Exit.
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.











(4) Yuzawa Kogen Ropeway 湯沢高原ロープウェイ, 8 minutes walk from train station West Exit. 
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Commemorative stamp:

Monday, May 4, 2020

Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Shibata Station 新発田駅



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.

Trains serving this train station include:
(1) 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, Shibata 新発田駅, 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, Akita 秋田駅, etc.

(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 Niigata 新潟駅, Shibata 新発田駅, Murakami 村上駅, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, etc.
Website: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/kairi.html



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What's nearby?

(1) Bus stop, in front of the train station.
Shibata city Loop Bus - Ayame Bus あやめバス covers two routes and it costs 100 yen per ride. 
(a) Outer loop (clockwise direction) or Issunboshi-go いっすんぼうし号.
(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. 
http://www.city.shibata.lg.jp/kurashi/kotsu/bus/ayame/1001436.html

(2) Shibata City Tourist Information Center 新発田市観光情報センター, about 2 minutes walk from train station.
Operating hours: 0900 - 1800 hrs




(3) Ichishima Shuzo 市島酒造, about 5 minutes walk from the train station.
〒957-0055 新潟県新発田市諏訪町3丁目1-17
Sake brewery tour: 0900 - 1600 hrs
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. 
https://www.ichishima.jp/



(4) Shimizu-en 清水園, about 7 minutes walk from the train station.

(5) Shibata Castle 新発田城, about 25 minutes walk from the train station.
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs (Apr - Oct); 0900 - 1630 hrs (Nov)

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Murakami Station 村上駅





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 Akita 秋田駅 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.







Trains serving this train station include:
(1) 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, Shibata 新発田駅, 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, Akita 秋田駅, etc.

(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 Niigata 新潟駅, Shibata 新発田駅, Murakami 村上駅, Atsumi Onsen あつみ温泉駅, Tsuruoka 鶴岡駅, Sakata 酒田駅, etc
Website: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/kairi.html

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What's nearby?

(1) Bus stop, in front of the train station.
Bus services:
(a) Machinaka Loop Bus "Abessha" まちなか循環バス あべっ車 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.
- 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.
- 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.
(b) Senami Round Bus せなみ巡回バス 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.
http://www.city.murakami.lg.jp/soshiki/13/machinaka-bus.html



(2) Tourist information center 観光案内所, located on the left after exiting from the train station.
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs



(3) Iyoboya Kaikan イヨボヤ会館, about 20 minutes walk from the train station.

(4) Murakami Castle Site 村上城跡, about 25 minutes walk from the train station.
https://www.city.murakami.lg.jp/site/kanko/oshiroyama.html

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Commemorative stamps:



Saturday, May 2, 2020

Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Koshino Shu*Kura 越乃 Shu*Kura, Omigawa Station 青海川駅

Travelled on 21.10.2016 (Fri)
in Japanese: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/shukura.html
in English: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/joyful/shukura.html



Pride. 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 Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 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).



Cruise. 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.



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Highlights

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.

Train schedule correct as of 30 Apr 2020:
(1) Koshino Shu*Kura [越乃 Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1232 hrs)
Tokamachi 十日町駅 (1450 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)

(2) Yuzawa Shu*Kura [ゆざわ Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢 (1309 hrs)
Echigo Yuzawa 越後湯沢駅 (1445 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)

(3) Ryuto Shu*Kura [柳都 Shu*Kura]:
Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1002 hrs) > Niigata 新潟駅 (1306 hrs)
Niigata 新潟駅 (1456 hrs) > Joetsu Myoko 上越妙高駅 (1838 hrs)



Sneaked into Car 1, dedicated for passengers who have purchased travel packages with View Travel.
Seats. 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.

Our seats were in Car 3.
Sofa seats in the free space of Car 3.
Sake tasting corner of Kuramori. There are five different types of sake to try and the selection of sake is changed every two months.




Sake. 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.









Sea. 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.









Music. 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.





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Commemorative stamps:



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Video: Ryuto Shu*Kura was previously featured in NHK's Train Cruise programme. 

Friday, May 1, 2020

Chubu 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



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.





2 Day Free Passport
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.
2 Day Free Passport = 7,000 yen
2 Day Free Passport + 1 [3 consecutive days] = 8,500 yen
Website https://www.alpico.co.jp/en/2day-free-passport/



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What's nearby?

(1) Shinshimashima Bus Terminal 新島々バスタミナール, just beside the train station.
Bus services:
- Shinshimashima 新島々~Kamikochi 上高地:
https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/shinshimashima/
* Bus ride from Shinshimashima to Kamikochi takes about 1 hour.
- Shinshimashima 新島々~Norikura Kogen 乗鞍高原:
https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/norikurakogen/
- Shinshimashima 新島々~Shirahone Onsen 白骨温泉:
https://www.alpico.co.jp/traffic/local/kamikochi/shirahone/
* Bus ride from Shinshimashima to Shirahone Onsen takes about 1 hour.





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Commemorative stamp: