Day-2 Kawane Youth Hostel

Jina sta. is a small station in country town along the Oigawa-river.

Located in Kawane-Honcho and famous for the shortest tunnel in Japan(about 7m) .

Kawane's one of the main products is tea, so you can see a tea garden in everywhere in this country town.

Kawane Youth Hostei also stands in the middle of a tea garden!

Jina sta.

 

the shortest tunnel in Japan.

a way to the youth hostel. tea gardens on both side.

Oigawa-river. kawane youth hostel is on the opposite bank of the river.

kawane youth hostel.

entrance of the youth hostel.

mr.mya welcomes you!

entrance of a dormitory.
Japanese traditional folk house was used as youth hostel.

a clean and simple, charming woody bed room.

"oden"-dinner party in the room with traditional hearth.

everyone want to play with this adorable cat!

tea-picking experience is available on the season.

on the next day, before leave youth hostel.
a view from the tea garden.

Kawane youth hostel is small but comfortable place to stay in beautiful country side.

People who love motorcycle/car/railway/traveling gather in this youth hostel and enjoy to have good time in warm atmosphere.

Thank you Kawane Youth Hostel!

I really enjoyed to stay.

☆ Kawane Youth Hostel(Japanese: link to English page)

Day-2 Okuoi-Kozyo Station

I arrived in Okuoi-Kozyo Station, one of my destination.

Another passenger who got off the train in that station was a family with a kid, and they directly started to cross a bridge.

The station is located in the central of the bridge(that's why this station looks like locates in the middle of a lake), and people can walk alongside of railway in the bridge because there is a pedestrian.

It was a light rain and a little bit foggy, so I felt this scene was mysteriously beautiful.

the train has arrived a station in the lake.

okuoi-kozyo sta. 490m above the sea.

the train was leaving...

a family went to hiking.

the sesso-lake, forest and a fog.

a view from the platform.

the station building. there is no station staff.

this notice says a bear was shown in next station.

a guest book was hanging on the notice board.

a train has arrived. I will go back to Senzu sta. and head to Jina sta.
in Jina I will stay at kawane youth hostel.

Day-2 Oigawa Railway South Alps Abt Line

I arrived in Senzu sta. where South Alps Abt Line starts. It was 1 hour and 20 minutes by steam locomotive.

And it will take 1 hour and 7 minutes from Senzu to Oku-Oi kojou station.

South Alps Abt Line is known for using an abt system locomotive from Abt Ichishiro sta. to Nagashima Dam.

You can enjoy many tunnels and bridges, dynamic scenery like mountains, Oi river, Nagashima Dam and Sesso lake.

Imagine, a small red train crosses a red bridge over emerald green lake...

platform for south alps abt line.

small red body.. cute!

a passenger car.

the train has just left senzu sta.

view from the train.

a tea plantation. shizuoka is famous for a good quality tea.

abt ichishiro sta. 396m above the sea.

adds abt system locomotive.

the train will pass a bridge.

nagashima dam.

It is only short distance to Oku-Oi kojou eki.

Day-2 Shin-Kanaya to Senzu

The classic train arrived in Shin-Kanaya sta., and you know what was happen?

People hurried to an opposite side of the platform.

Because a black iron bodied steam locomotive has already stood in the platform!

The train whistled and exhale steam, children cheered and parents were busy to take pictures their children in front of the train.

2 guys were working in the engine room.

inside of the engine room.

a passenger car

I ordered Bento Box by phone and a Bento was placed in my seat.

I traveled to the last stop, Senzu sta.. It was comfortable trip and I could enjoy beautiful views from train's window.

In Senzu I changed train. Next destination is Oku-Oi kojou eki, mysterious station in the lake.

A station in the lake! Can you imagine that?
Well, let's go with me!

Day-2 Heading for Shin-Kanaya

It's time to leave Tokyo. I woke up at 4:00 and check-out 6:00, I was in Tokyo sta. at 6:25 and then caught 6:34 Tokaido line to Numazu.

Arrived in Numazu at 8:39.

Waited for a train to Shimada. It will take 1 hour and 25 min. from Numazu to Shimada.

Next station will be Kanaya.

This is Oigawa Railway Kanaya sta. 2 minutes walk from JR Kanaya sta.

Look, many people stood in a line to buy tickets!  Most of them are family with small children.

Oigawa Railway platform.

Finally, next station will be Shin-Kanaya where steam locomotives depart.

Oigawa Railway Main Line, Kanaya-Senzu. This train is also classic, isn't it?

I will get off the train at Shin-Kanaya, next station where a steam locomotive will be waiting for me.

Day-1 Tokyo Central Youth Hostel

I have a plan in this Golden Week, riding a steam locomotive from Shin-Kanaya to Senzu(Oigawa Railway Main Line) and an abt system train from Senzu to Ikawa(Oigawa Railway South Alps Abt Line).

Oigawa Railway is in Shizuoka, my plan is taking Tokaido line at Tokyo and going to Atami, changing train and going to Shizuoka, changing train again and then arriving in Kanaya. I estimate it will take about 5 hours.

I decided to stay at Tokyo Central Youth Hostel before I start traveling since I should leave Tokyo sta. at 6:53. If there is nothing trouble, I will arrive at Shin-Kanaya sta. at 11:26.

Steam Locomotive which I booked will depart for Senzu. at 11:45.

This is a really unique opportunity, riding a classic steam locomotive, so I should not be late!

tokyo central youth hostel. my bed. 4 beds in one room. 

each bed has a curtain and a bed lamp.

a simple and clean washroom.

a washing machine and a dryer are available in washroom.

vending machines in dining room.

a vending machine for cup noodles.

a notice on the fridge door.

a view from tokyo central youth hostel. 

this youth hostel is located 18th and 19th floor of the building.

☆ Oigawa Railway

☆ Tokyo Central Youth Hostel

A kind of temptation

Every time I overwork, I struggle not to buy a cold drink at a vending machine.

It's difficult, since vending machines are in everywhere and their small light are so fascinating at night.

A vending machine is like a beacon lamp in a city.

green tea, mineral water, pepsi and energy drink etc.

Are you ready to spend 150yen for small treat every night?