We continue our journey on small railway lines, and search for more scenic views along the Kishigawa Line. Head towards the highlands of Kire. Outside the station, you will find a wholesale grape market. The Yoshimoto Farm has been producing grapes for 50 years - over three generations. You can pick up some grapes here for 400 yen (S$6). Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the area as you munch on the sweet grapes.
Next, continue your train journey and get off at Idakiso Station. Take the Ancient Kumano Path at Mt. Yakai – the path continues from Kumano Street in Kyoto, and passes through Idakiso Station. As you walk, you will come across the Itakiso Shrine, one of the three shrines along the Kishigawa Line. This shrine was built for the god of trees. Wakayama Prefecture used to be known as Kii Country, or "the country of trees (ki)". You can stop for lunch at the Sweet Potato Farm restaurant, which serves cheap yet delicious home cuisine. For example, you can get grilled fish for just 100 yen (S$1.5). It also has other more expensive dishes such as curry rice. Vegetables are picked from the farm itself, and fish are harvested in large amounts, hence its cheap price. A meal for two, comprising rice, miso soup and seven other dishes costs a mere 1,390 yen (S$21). You can also enjoy the home-cooked taste of simmered pumpkin for only 80 yen (S$1.20).
Head back to Idakiso Station where you will see another unique train – the Toy Train. The red train is popular among children for its assortment of toys. Kishigawa Line has the Strawberry Train, Toy Train and normal trains. As the Strawberry Train and the Toy Train don't run everyday, one should check the schedule beforehand. Take the train to your next destination, Oike Park. Make your way to the huge lake near the station. The lake was built to contain water for irrigation, and the water flows to the fields. The Kishigawa Line runs through the lake, which is a famous place for viewing cherry blossoms during the season.
Next, take the train to Kishi Station – the last station of Kishigawa Line. Be prepared to meet the station’s famous stationmaster, Tama-chan, who is actually a cat! Known as the super stationmaster, Tama-chan works from 9am to 5pm everyday, except for Sundays. Tama-chan used to be a watch-cat for the station's store. Under Wakayama Railways' orders, Tama-chan was promoted to stationmaster. The feline stationmaster even has assistants - the eight year-old Chibi, and Tama-chan's mother, Miko. Tama-chan’s station duties include welcoming passengers from the trains.
Explore the streets near Kishi Station. There’s the Kishi River, a suspending bridge, and several stores. Try the traditional food of the area, one of which is Jako sushi. Jako is actually the local dialect for freshwater fish, and refers to the fish harvested from the Kishigawa River. This local fish is made into jako sushi. It is cooked in soy sauce and sugar for 30 minutes. You can try jako sushi for 700 yen (S$10.5).
Our next adventure on small railroads takes us to Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Explore the Aizu Highlands by taking the Aizu Rail line, which starts at Nishi-Wakamatsu Station. Aizu Rail runs southwest in Fukushima Prefecture. The 57.4km railway line comprises 21 stations. A ticket to Ashinomaki Station costs 400 yen (S$6). The train rushes straight among the fields. It takes about 15 minutes to reach Ashinomaki Station, which used to have a female stationmaster. Now, however, Bus – who is a cat - is the stationmaster. Yes, here you have another feline stationmaster! Bus-chan settled here nine years ago, welcoming passengers. In recognition of this, he was made honorary stationmaster.
From the station, take a 10-minute bus ride to Ashinomaki Springs, which is known for its extremely hot baths. The water temperature is 58.8 degrees. Some people can't take the heat and return home. If it’s too hot for you to handle, opt for the open-air bath instead. To enable people to cool themselves down, this bath is only 40 degrees.
Next, take the train to another scenic spot, Tonohetsuri Station. Tonohetsuri is a national nature reserve. Hetsuri, in the local dialect, refers to a cliff by the river. Here you can have some complimentary miso soup filled with different varieties of mushrooms like maitake and shimeji mushrooms. You can admire nature’s beauty as you sip the delicious miso soup.
Go further south on the Aizu Rail, and head to Yagoshima Station. Visit the taiko (drum) practice grounds at Yagoshima clubhouse, which is three minutes from the station by foot. The 100-year-old building is actually a disused primary school which has been turned into a taiko practice ground. You will also see different taikos here, as the area is known for producing taikos since the Edo era. If you’re hungry, drop by the Kyo-ya restaurant, which is run by a farming family. Besides growing rice and vegetables, they make soba (noodles) too. Try the home-grown and homemade tenzaru soba.
Next, take the train to Aizu-Tajima Station, where you will be welcomed by staff of the Ariga inn. The inn is 10 minutes away by car. The one-room inn stands near the mountains and is completely surrounded by greenery. The room is comfortable and homely. The owner used to work in a Chinese restaurant in Tokyo, so it’s no surprise that the inn’s speciality is its Chinese cuisine. For dinner, enjoy a delicious and luxurious eight-course Chinese meal, which includes beef and local asparagus fried with oyster sauce, and chilli prawn. The next day, continue your journey deep into the mountains. End your journey along the Aizu Rail at Aizu Highlands, Ozeguchi Station. Enjoy the view of the mountainous landscape, and indulge in the Yume no Yu Bath, which soothes the weary spirit.
Next, we explore the wonderful scenery and seafood delicacies in the Tohoku area. The Sanriku Rail's Northern Coast Line runs along the coast in Iwate Prefecture. The journey along the 71km line starts at Kuji Station and ends at Miyako Station. Each station along the line has signs or names which indicate the area’s speciality. For example, since Kuji produces amber, you will see the “amber” sign at the Kuji Station. There are 15 stations between Kuji and Miyako Stations. This line runs close to the coastline, with half of it covered in tunnels. It’s often known as the "mole train". After a 13-minute ride from Kuji Station, you will reach “Salt Road: Rikichunoda” Station. Since ancient times, this area has been a huge producer of salt. The place still preserves the ancient way of producing salt. In the Edo era, salt produced here would be transported on this line, across the northern mountains, to places like Morioka. Witness how salt is produced the traditional way at the Noda Salt Workshop. It is 10 minutes away, near the beaches of Tofugaura. Return to Rikichunoda Station and hop on the unique Sanrikushiosai Express. It becomes an event train all day on Saturdays and public holidays. One can ride on this retro train for a normal price ticket. It features Gobelin-style upholstery. The train actually stops for 2-3 minutes at every good vantage point to let passengers admire the view. After the scenic ride along the coast, you will reach Fudai village, a town with mountains on one side. Get off at Fudai Station, roam around the area, and grab a bite at one of the shops.
Next, head further south and stop at Tanohata Station. You can choose to stay overnight at the village’s Honke Inn, which boasts a historical atmosphere. The building itself is close to a hundred years old. A night’s stay, inclusive of two meals, costs 10,500 yen (S$158). The inn provides a breathtaking view of the sea. For dinner, indulge in local delicacies such as mackerel pike, sea urchins, crabs, and the inn’s speciality, donko soup. The next morning, continue your journey on the Sanriku Rail, and get off at Karubonado Shimakoshi Station, and hop on a ferry that explores the coastline. The 50-minute ferry ride lets you enjoy the wonderful scenery as the boat coasts along the cliffs of the North Yamazaki coast.
Next, travel by train to “Rocky springs: Omoto Station”, and visit the Omoto Hot Springs. From the station, it is a 10-minute walk. The bath is called the Bath of the Eight Dragon Kings. It is one of the few hot springs in Sanriku. The water is rich in magnesium and other minerals. The water feels nice and warm and is believed to be good for the skin, so women will enjoy it. Later, as your train make its way to Miyako Station, you will encounter the 6,532m Masaki Tunnel. It is one of several tunnels along the line. You’ll be surprised to know that there is a wine cellar in the Masaki Tunnel; in fact, during the winter season, special trains would stop here, allowing passengers to enjoy the wine! Finally, the train reaches the end of the line, Miyako Station at Miyako City, nicknamed the Coastal Harbour.
