| AOMORI ONE DAY TRIP |
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| Mt.Iwaki and Apple Field |
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| Just came back from Tohoku One Day Trip with
using special discount JR East Pass (covered
area is same as http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass/index.html#category03). It is the brand new (and the fastest)
Shinkansen called Hayabusa from Tokyo to
Shin-Aomori (some 700km north of Tokyo).
The 1+2 seater Gran-Class looks like international
business class (additional gran-class fare
JPY10,000 required). The 2+2 seater Green-Car
is comfortable and relaxed guaranteed as
well (additional green-car fare JPY5,000
required). Other seats with 2+3 seater are
all-reserved (there is no un-reserved seats)
on Hayabusa super express. You may enjoy
one or two of several onsens listed below
in Aomori-ken before taking a night train
called Akebono back to Asakusa or Tokyo via
Ueno (last stop, terminal station, for Akebono
night train). |
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| Hayabusa Shinkansen |
| http://www.jreast.co.jp/e5/top.html |
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| JR companies used to have only 2 classes
on Shinkansen service, but now upper most
class called Gran-Class is introduced with stopping at Tokyo, Omiya,
Sendai, Morioka and Shin-Aomori. It is like
international business class but not with
170-180 degrees recline. Meal and drink is
served by attendant whom can be called by
pressing a bottom like international flight.
Power plug is available in each seat for
your i-pod, pc and mobile phone. The car
#10 (top front wagon if you are headed for
Shin-Aomori) has 1+2 abreast, just 18 seats
in total with all non-smoking. |
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| Recommended very local onsen with special
unique golden color natural spring |
| http://todik2.goemonburo.com/tsuruta.htm |
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| It is located in middle of nowhere town called
Tsuruda, literally Crane-Rice, in winter,
there are lots of cranes resting/nesting
on rice fields. Nearest JR station is Mutsu-Tsuruda
which is on one of beautiful Japan Sea view
local lines called Gono Line. There are 3 types of sightseeing trains (blue, orange and green) on the line, each
of which has special relaxing box seats (semi
compartment for 4 - 6 people, all reserved)
with big window for better view. Runs between
Akita - Noshiro - Kawabe - Hirosaki and Aomori. |
| http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ue3t-cb/spa/tarapokki/tarapokki.htm |
| Only a short walk distance from JR Tsurugasaka
station. You will see the building on your
right hand side if you approach to Tsurugasaka
station from Aomori station. Open 9AM to
10PM everyday throughout the year. |
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| Akebono (City Night Line, Blue Train) |
| http://hodo.travel.coocan.jp/s/burutore/akbn/sgdx2/index.htm |
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| Born in 1970, this night train is one of
few blue trains (Nihonkai, Hokutosei and Hamanasu) still operated in Japan. Except
busy season, it contains 8 cars with A berth
(compartment), B berth (compartment), B berth
(open to aisle, for 4 people, 2 upper + 2
lower) and Goron-To-Seat (same as open-B-berth
but without linen, JR Pass holders may enjoy
this carpet without surcharge, please find
detailed information at http://www.tokyo-ryokan.com/transportation_japanrailpass.htm ). Major stops include Ueno, Omiya, Takasaki,
Sakata, Akita, Higashi-Noshiro, Hirosaki,
Shin-Aomori and Aomori. |
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| Seikan Tunnel (Tsugaru Channel Tunnel connected
Hokkaido and Honshu) |
| http://jr.hakodate.jp/train/tunnel/default.htm |
| The under water tunnel was opened in 1988
with 53.85km length and 240m depth (140m
sea + 100 earth). It has one underground
station called Tappi-Kaikyo. You may also reach from overground Seikan Tunnel Museum which is accessible from JR Minmaya station,
the end of Tsugaru Line (only 5 trains per
day up and down each direction, 10 service
in total). In 2015, new line, Hokkaido Shinkansen
will start running connecting at Shin-Aomori,
which will run through this tunnel.
Aiming to Sapporo by the year 2020 (might
be delayed for 2 - 3 years?). |
