Kinugawa Onsen Adventure (part 2)

For part 2 of the Kinugawa Onsen Adventure I want to start with a closer look at the Kinugawa Onsen Fureai Bridge.

When one enters the Fureai Bridge from the same side of the Kinugawa river as our hotel the first thing one might notice is the giant painting of a Red "Oni" Demon on the steps at the other end of the bridge.

Per the internet:

This pedestrian-only bridge is the symbol of Kinugawa Onsen. The design of the bridge's railings, lighting, and bridge pavement incorporates a nostalgic design that evokes the Taisho period (Taisho Romanesque), which was the starting point of Kinugawa Onsen's development . In addition, on the stairs on the left bank, a huge painting of Kinugawa Onsen's mascot, Kinuta, is painted overlooking the bridge.

A closer look at the red "Oni" demon painted on the steps.

The name "Kinugawa" literally means Angry Demon River. 

In "part one" of this Kinugawa Onsen Adventure blog I referred to these statues as devil's and I said they are all around the town. Well, since then I've been doing more research and I now know that they are not devils, instead they are good "Oni" demons and there is supposedly seven of them around the town. This one is at the entrance to the Fureai Bridge.

From the center of the Fureai Bridge there is a good view of the Plaza Hotel (the hotel we stayed at. 

Here we are! We have our back-packs on because we've already checked out of the hotel and we're walking to the train station.

On the same end of the bridge as the giant red demon painted on the steps there are some beautiful relief mural wall art.

These figures are slightly larger than life and are really quite beautiful. Colored glass is set here and there to reflect the light.

With Emi standing in front of the mural one can get a better idea of the size of the figures.

We've left the bridge behind us and we're very close to the train station. A local bus is passing by. People can use this bus as a shuttle from their hotel to the train station but I was more interested in walking and thought it was more fun to walk. From the Fureai Bridge to the station is only a 15 minute walk.

Also near the station there are several Omiyage (gift) shops

Note: Omiyage is a Japanese tradition of bringing gifts or souvenirs back from a trip to give to friends, family, and colleagues. The tradition of omiyage is based on the idea that the gift holds a sense of the traveler's experience and consideration. The journey transforms the object from a product into a meaningful present.

Per the Kinugawa Station Info website 

Immediately outside in front of the train station exit is a gold-colored statue of a demon carrying a club. The demon is named “Kinuta” after the Kinugawa River (Kinugawa means “angry demon river” in Japanese). Kinuta is the town’s mascot and you will see several statues and images of the demon around the resort.

In front of the Station on the right side of the entrance is a turntable where the steam locomotive of the SL Taiju is rotated in preparation for its next journey. The turning of the locomotive is a big attraction and very popular with photographers.

This "website"  provides excellent information on the Steam Locomotive Taiju.

Here comes the steam train!

The train operator parks the train on the turntable.

On the left side of the picture one can see the enthusiastic crowd watching the turntable rotating the train.

The turntable operator.

Once the train has been turned around the operator locks the turntable in place.

Now the train leaves the turntable! 

Our train back to Tokyo will be arriving soon so we head to the train platform.

A local train is departing the station. We're waiting for the express train that will take us back to the Tobu Line Train Terminal in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The platform attendant announces that our train is coming.

Here it comes!

All seats are reserved on this train. It's very nice inside the train.

Now we're back where we started in the Tobu Line Asakusa train terminal.

Passing through the ticket master's office.

Now we're heading for the exit and this is where I'll end our Kinugawa Onsen Adventure.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Kinugawa Onsen Adventure

This time we're visiting Kinugawa Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture.

To get there the first thing we have to do is go to Asakusa in Tokyo. The long skinny building in the center of the picture is the Tobu line train station.

This is the front entrance. This building also has many shops and restaurants inside. 

Inside the station heading for the train platforms.

This is the track where our train will be arriving.

Hear it comes! We're riding on a new limited express train called SPACIA X

Internet site for SPACIA X is "here"

After the arriving passengers leave the train and a clean-up crew goes through making things nice the platform attendant announces that we can board the train.

We have arrived at Kinugawa Onsen. The town is named after the Kinugawa river and all the hotels are built on both sides of the river. 

This is a huge pedestrian bridge that crosses the river giving people easy access to hotels on both sides.

We are here! We're staying at the Plaza Hotel on the left side of the river across from the number 15 on the map. Hotel website

Plaza hotel front desk.

Walking around the hotel lobby.

This hotel is really nice.

Yes, it's me wearing the Yukata that is provided by the hotel.

A yukata is a casual version of a kimono.

The main onsen hot spring baths in the hotel are separated by male and female. However there is a special bathing area where couples can bathe together. These baths must be reserved in advance and of course that's what we did. 

It's a short walk from the hotel to the reserved bathing facility. This is the entrance.

An attendant at the entrance gave us towels and a key to our assigned bath. This is the covered walkway to the bath.

It didn't take Emi long to get in! 

Next morning and we decided to eat our breakfast out here where we have a nice view of the river.

The view from where we ate breakfast.

Life is good!

After breakfast Emi went by train to visit "Tobu World Square"  and I went exploring along the Kinugawa river.

The first interesting thing I discovered along the Kinugawa river was this free hot spring foot bath.

By the entrance to the foot bath was this statue of a devil. These little devils are the town mascot and they're are everywhere (no two are alike).

Looking inside the foot bath, there was a young woman already there enjoying a nice hot spring water soak of her feet.

This is the view of the river from the foot bath.

Another devil! Like I said, they are everywhere.

Further down the river I discovered the Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge

Per the internet: 

    The Kinu Tateiwa Suspension Bridge is a 140-meter-long suspension bridge located on the south side of Kinugawa Onsen town. From the top of the bridge, which is 40 meters high, you can see the fierce current of the Kinugawa River and the mountains full of greenery. Take a deep breath and bask in the natural fragrance of nature around.

    The bridge may sway a little, but it is rather thrilling and enjoyable. In autumn, the mountains turn red with the changing colors of the leaves, giving you a taste of Japan’s vibrant seasons. 

Yep, another devil.

Guess where I'm going next.

If you guessed that I was going to walk the Otaki Riverside Promenade you'd be correct. How could I resist when I saw such nice views like this. 

When I started the walk I saw two people. After passing them I didn't see anyone; I was all alone.

As I walked along the Otaki Riverside Promenade I started to think about what I would do if I encountered a bear. I didn't have a good plan. Actually I didn't have any plan. Fortunately I didn't encounter a bear.

What I did encounter was some nice scenery.

After my riverside nature walk I started heading back to town. I walked along a main road that ran parallel to the local train line.

 Passing by a small hotel that Emi and I stayed at over 20 years ago. I was surprised that they were still in business.

I didn't want to eat lunch in a restaurant so I was happy to find a convenience store. I bought some sandwiches and drinks and took them back to the hotel room... life is good!

The Kinugawa Onsen Adventure will continue - part 2 is coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike