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Every Saturday
7.30pm
Every Sunday
8.00am, 1.00pm |
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Reasonable Trip Using "Free Train Ticket" (Pt 2)
19 April 2008 |
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Discovering Japan by rail doesn’t have to be expensive if you get the right ticket. There are a number of special tickets to suit your travelling plans and when used wisely, your trip
will be greatly enhanced with the great costs savings.
Making an inexpensive trip is possible with the "Seishun 18 Ticket". Although it states Youth (seishun) travelers don’t have to be teenagers to use it. JR is selling the "Seishun 18 Ticket" at 8,000 yen which comes with five tickets to ride any JR train. The ticket has to be used on the same day, once it's clipped so try to use it at the start of the day to get the most out of it. It costs 3200 yen (S$ 45.70) for a two-day ticket which can also be used all day.
Use the ticket to make a trip to discover Kyushu. Take the Kagoshima Line from Shimoseki station for that trip. When at Shimoseki you must not miss the famous Hugumeshi, or blowfish lunchbox. The best isn’t hard to find as the dish famous since 1960, is at the station itself. It costs just 1300 yen (S$ 18) for the blowfish lunchbox which is packed with deep-fried and braised blowfish. It is a luxury takeaway meal that is flavoursome, right down to the rice packed with the fish.
Some 1,100 km west of Tokyo brings travelers to Kyushu where the train stops at the retro-looking Mojikou Station. Take a bus from the station to take in Kyushu's night views, passing by the bridge that links Kyushu with Honshu. This is the same bridge that road travelers can take all the way back to Shimoseki. But if you have the time and inclination, travel around the Kanmon Strait, which can be a long trip but nor an expensive one with Youth 18 Ticket.
Since the 5-day pass will cost for 8000 yen (S$ 114), it works out to be 1600 yen (S$ 22.8) per day for unlimited JR usage which is a true bargain for any long distance traveller.
If you’ve always wanted to explore Shikoku, you can travel between all four prefectures in Shikoku from Tokushima Station using a Shikoku free pass. You can use it for unlimited travel, even on the express trains. But it’s important to you plan the trip on the month you were born. If it happens to be your birthday month, the traveller gets a JR Shikoku birthday ticket for just 10000 yen (S$ 142).which is valid for 3 days The best part about birthday is others get to share the fun, so in this case, up to 3 guests can also enjoy a birthday ticket thanks to the birthday boy or girl, for the same price of 10000 yen (S$ 142).
Start the journey to Shikoku from Tokushima Station by taking the train to Naruto. The single-car train will have you at your destination in just over half an hour. Hop on the bus using the Shikoku pass for a trip to the harbour. Naruto is famous for its eddying current which changes constantly,
in 90 minutes the tide can change from low to high right before your eyes. The viewing platform is on top of a boat which provides prime viewing conditions on a fine day and a calm sea The scene also includes O-Naruto Bridge, the biggest bridge in Shigoku. The next stop in Shigoku is Takamatsu which you can travel to via express train, using the birthday ticket without having to pay an extra charge.
Once a castle city, Takamatsu has now mixed the old with the new. Visit Ritsurin Park which stretches over some 228,000 acres. There are guides who are all volunteers who will take you around the park built by the Lord of Takamatsu in the Edo period. The park features 1400 pine trees and some of the greenery are art pieces such as one that resembles a flamingo standing on a turtle. or another which resembles a 6 metre high green box which visitors can step into. There’s also one called Byobumatsu as it resembles a screen when viewed from a distance. Ritsurin Park is a must-see spot in winter for a silver landscape as well as in Spring for the sakuras.
When in Takamatsu, don’t forget its fame for Sanuki udon, so bring an empty stomach. Ueharaya, is a self-service udon restaurant, that is a local favourite. Whether you order udon on a bamboo plate or udon with soup, you’ll find the meal cheap and tasty with the smooth and firm noodle that is cooked uncut .So get ready to slurp the entire 1m udon. It costs 170 yen (S$ 2.40) for a regular serving of udon and 270 yen (S$ 3.80) for a larger portion. The price is kept down probably because the self-service mean you blanch the udon yourself as well as add the soup and garnishes - - or maybe that’s what make the meal so tasty !
Next visit the only hot spring region in Shigoku. Get there from Utazu Station, and ride in comfort on the green car at no extra charge, with the birthday pass. Revel in the majestic ocean view from the train as its takes a scenic journey of 2 hours and 10 minute to arrive at Matsuyama Station. The hot spring town which was featured in Natsme Souseki's novel "Bochan"is a calm and relaxing place with a hot spring sitting peacefully in the town centre. Take the street train from the train station to the Dogo-onsen hotel some 20-minutes away.This hotel is located right next to the Dogo hot spring and has 71 rooms. It has a rooftop hot spring that is a visitor favourite as it provides a great view of Matsuyama's beautiful night scene.The hotel offers a spring discount, so now is a good time to visit Dogo Hot Springs.
Continue the Shigoku journey from Matsuyama to Kochi with the birthday pass, on a comfortable express train at no additional charge. It takes one hour and 20 minutes to reach the seaside city of Uwajima. There, change trains and view the famous Shiwanto river which the train will pass along the way. As the birthday pass isn't confined to use on JR trains but also local lines in Shikoku region. On arrival at Nakamura Station take a taxi to Sada which is about 15 minutes away. Take a boat cruise, a popular tourist attraction and discover what lives underwater, from a distance. Since the emerald green water is so clear you can view up to a depth of 10m.
Along the river it's a captivating scene as well, especially in Spring with flowers such as azaleas.
It can be a little crowded on weekends as it’s a top spot with visitors who escape for a weekend.
Look out for bridges that have no rails, which become landmarks of Shimantogawa, and stop to visit the local fishermen who use a traditional method to trap carp. A harpoon is then used to hook the freshwater fish. What’s even better is, if you make prior arrangement, the fish will be cooked for you on the spot for a traditional fisherman's meal of carp braised in soy sauce and mirin wine. The fish which is firm and full of flavour, can be eaten with white cabbage. Pay a little more for carp sashimi. The taste and texture is exceptional as the fish is fresh from the river.
Next take a bus to the hotel some one and a half hours away on the southern tip of Kochi, known as Ashizuri-misaki. The hotel is located on a spectacular spot - - on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hotel Hana-tsubaki has 50 rooms, and all the rooms face the ocean. Not only that, every bathroom also has an ocean view with a spectacular outdoor bath.
Without the birthday pass, the three-day trip so far would have cost over 20000 yen (S$ 285), but since there’s money left, having spent just 10000 yen (S$ 142) and time as well, travel on eastwards to Katsurahama fby bus rom Kochi Station. Katsurahama is famous for its scenic beach and revolutionist Sakamoto Ryoma whose statue stands in the city.
Another rail trip that is priceless with its memories is the journey northeast of Japan, all the way to Niigata. Get a special weekend pass issued by JR East Japan for unlimited travel in the northeast on both the Shinkansenand the express trains. The price, 10000 Yen which will take you to
Miyagi, Fukushima and Yamagata. As it’s better to reserve your seats during the weekend, travelers can consider paying 18000 yen (S$ 257) for the special to enjoy the luxury of reserving Shinkansen seats up to 4 times.
Begin by taking the Tohoku Shinkansen to Miyagi some two hours from Tokyo.
From Tokyo to Sendai which normally costs over 10000 yen (S$ 143), the scene changes dramatically with distant mountains seem from the train car.
Sendai known as the forest city, will be much cooler, and is a favourite holiday spot. Catch the city's tourist bus and head to Sendai Castle built 400 years ago by Date Masamune.
It's a popular recreation spot and one of Japan's historical sites. Visitors will see only a part of Sendai Castle which has been reconstructed and visit to it will offer a view of the whole city in the day and night. Take a bus back to the city centre and visit the colourful Dharma store and workshop. Hongo Dharma House was founded in the Edo period and remains in the hands of the 10th generation of successors. The Dharmas are still made, drawn and coloured the same way as it was generations before. The Dharmas which embody people's faith can be bought as gifts and souvenirs.
Head back to Sendai Station and travel from there to Yamagata. Grab a lunchbox and make a short trip to Fukushima to catch the Yanmagata Shinkansen. The stop is Oishida and the place to stay for a night is the Ginzan Hot Spring. With prior arrangements, a hotel limousine will take visitors from the station to the hotel which sits in the mountains, alongside a river. It’s a very romantic setting for the hotel which has a stylishly designed interior and 14 Japanese style-rooms.
Built five years ago, the hotel is a short walk from the open-air hot spring, which sits right in front of a waterfall. In winter, the surroundings are calm and peaceful amid crisp air, while the water keeps you nice and hot despite the snow. Meals at the hotel are colourful and seasonal.
Expect a menu of fusion of Japanese herbs and Camembert cheese pizza for starters and
cold soba noodles that have been handmade by the owner and staff using wheat that is locally grown, giving it a unique texture. The delicious and hearty meal also include deep fried wild vegetables, Obanazawa beef shabu-shabu, and mixed vegetable sushi.
The next day, take a trip from Shinjou Station towards the Sea of Japan coast.
The Mogami river and yakata boats will be one of the sights to savour as the the train runs alongside the river for almost an hour. Arrive at Amarume and change to the express train for Niigata prefecture. The final destination is Murakami, a hot spring town. Take a taxi from the Murakami Station, to reach the seaside town of Senami-onsen where there is an open air hot spring hot in 1904, during an oil drilling project. Stay at the Shiomisou hotel not too far from the famous attraction and get to enjoy as well great views such as faraway Awashima Island.
Take the Uetsu Line for Niigata a seafood paradise along the Sea of Japan coast.
Sekai-jushi is a local favourite and the sushi is made with fresh seafood such as cuttlefish from Sado and the expensive fatty white fish, nodoguro. Head from there to another seaside city.
Stop at Teradomari Station and take a 30-minute bus ride to Onotsumu which offers a famous sunset viewing spot. Although the walk isn’t an easy stroll all will be forgotten once you see the sky changing colour as the sun goes down.
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The Seishun 18 ticket can be used on JR ferries and buses apart from trains. |
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Make sure you bring some form of identity that states your birthday to buy the Shikoku free pass birthday ticket. |
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To view the unusual tidal formation at Naruto, make the trip in the warmer late spring. |
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Ritsurin Park is full of romantic views and one spot that should not be missed is the Hiraihou with its panoramic view of the whole park. |
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Seats on the Shinkansen to Miyagi, Fukushima and Yamagata should be reserved if taking a weekend trip. |
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It's not easy to walk at Onotsumu to the sunset viewing spot by the sea, so prepare some good walking shoes. |
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