Niigata Trip Part 3 - Going to Fukushima Prefecture!

 After checking out of the beautiful Chinseikan Inn we hit the road and headed for Shimogo town in Fukushima Prefecture.

Our first stop was Ouchi-juku post town.

Ouchi-juku is a former post town along the Aizu-Nishi Kaido trade route, which connected Aizu with Nikko during the Edo Period. Restrictions set by the shogunate required travelers to make their long journeys on foot and as a result, post towns developed along the routes to provide travelers with food, accommodations and rest.

Today, Ouchi-juku has been restored to look as it did in the Edo Period with telephone and electricity wires buried. The unpaved main street is lined by thick thatched roof buildings, which house a variety of shops, restaurants and minshuku (small traditional Japanese inns). Soba noodles and locally caught char fish roasted on sticks are popular specialties.

This is Takakura Shrine.

At the end of the village one has the pleasure of climbing a steep set of steps.

Koyasu Kannon, a small Buddhist temple.

Follow the path if you want to visit Princess Sakuragi's tomb.

From up here there is also a very nice view of the Ouchi-juku post town.

Back down on the ground. This is such a nice place we should do a group picture here!

One of the restaurants in the town that serves the local specialty "Negi Soba" (fresh buckwheat noodles eaten using a green onion).

After leaving Ouchi-Juku we headed for Tonohetsuri Crags.

A national natural monument, To-no-hetsuri Crags consists of tower-shaped cliffs overlooking Okawa River. Hetsuri is an Aizu word meaning "a cliff overlooking a river" or "a steep slope" in the local dialect.

Crossing the suspension bridge is fun!

I thought I saw some wild animals but it turned out to be Shige, Emi and Hiroko.

There's Suzuki-san enjoying the view.

These unusual formations are thought to be made of various types of rocks formed around 28 million years ago.

It seems like wherever we go there's a steep set of steps to go up.

Other visitors enjoying themselves.

Hiroko, Shige and Yuko take a break.

Time for another group picture.

Time to go back to the car.

    After leaving To-no-hetsuri we visited a couple of Michi-no-eki.

Michi-no-Eki, means roadside station. These are roadside parking areas that usually include shops, restaurants and restrooms. They are a great place to take a break, enjoy a cup of coffee and have a smoke (if one is a smoker).  We also did a little shopping to pick up some snacks and drinks to enjoy later in our Inn for the night. 

    That night we stayed at a wonderful little Inn in Yunokami Onsen. We enjoyed hot spring baths, a great dinner and a terrific breakfast. Next morning we checked out of the Inn but instead of heading straight home we had one more place to visit.

Yunokami Onsen Train Station.

Yunokami-Onsen Station is a railway station on the Aizu Railway Aizu Line in the town of Shimogo, Fukushima Prefecture. The station is notable for its thatched roof.

Another group picture. 

Inside the station is very cozy.

If one walks around to the backside of the station they are in for a big surprise!

There's a big cross shaped foot bath.

We were very lucky! A train arrived at the station while we were there.

Across the street from the station was a shop that sold local products. Everybody loves to do a little shopping!

Now it's time to head for home.

This is the end of our big 5 day adventure. We visited so many places and did so many things that it's hard to remember everything without going back and looking at these pictures. We had a great time! A special thank you to the trip planer, Yuko and the two drivers, Hiroko and Suzuki-san!

All the best,

Mike!

Bonus shots!

Destination - Niigata Prefecture! (Part 2)

Continuing on with our Niigata Prefecture adventure; it's time to visit Yahiko Shrine!

Welcome to Yahiko Shrine. The origins of this shrine go back over 2400 years.

Walk through this gate and you'll be facing the main shrine.  

Here it is!

Lucky for us it's not very crowded today. I love the atmosphere around shrines... it's so peaceful. Even if a person isn't of the Shinto religion I think a visit to a shrine is good for communicating with yourself.

Time to head back to the car.

We have one more stop to make before going back to our Inn. 

"On The Umami"  Their website is "here"

We sampled their soups and did some shopping. Their products are a little bit expensive but the quality and taste make it worth the price.

Next morning: Yuko and Suzuki-san went to play golf, the rest of us all got into Hiroko's mini van and headed for Niigata city train station.

We found a cheap pay-parking lot near the station for Hiroko's van and then we walked to the train station.

Our first order of business was to find the Niigata City visitors information center and get set up with day passes on the "Niigata City Loop Bus". We all got a 500 yen bus pass that allows us to ride any Loop Bus all day long. 

This is the first loop bus that we rode on.

When the stop that you want is announced just push the button to let the driver know that you want to get off there.

The button lights up after you push it. There are buttons all over the bus.

We got off at Hakusan Park. Internet information

The Hakusan Shrine is in the park.

This is the shrine.

That's Hiroko in front of the shrine. That's Emi on the right side of the picture.

The shrine sells Omamori (good luck charms). On the first night of our Niigata trip I stubbed my toe very badly and it was very painful. I decided to buy a Omamori in the hope that it would help me get better quicker. On the signboard I saw one for "Recovery from illness" and I noticed that it was very similar in color and design to the one for "Pregnancy". I didn't want to make a mistake when I went to buy it so I asked Emi to come with me to make sure I didn't get the wrong one by accident. 

Need a little help finding romance? You can pray at the shrine for that, too! 

There's a statue of Tamako the dog in Hakusan Park. The story is that Tamako saved his master's life twice in a snow avalanche. 

After the Park we got back on the Loop Bus and visited Saito Villa.

Website for Saito Villa

The Niigata Saito Villa, recognized as a Japan Heritage and a Cultural Property, was constructed in 1918 by Kijuro Saito IV, who was from a prominent merchant family in Niigata. It stands as a masterpiece of modern Japanese-style architecture, showcasing opulence throughout the entire structure.

After spending time walking around the Villa we got back on the bus and went to the Kitamaebune Historical Building (The Former Ozawa Family Residence).

Ozawa Family Residence website

The Former Ozawa Family Residence is one of the oldest and most treasured buildings in Niigata.

This is a great place to visit!

After leaving the Ozawa house we had to wait at the bus stop for about 20 minutes before the bus arrived. No big deal! After that we ate lunch and then returned to the Niigata City Train Station to get Hiroko's Van. Then, we headed back to the Inn for another night of good food, cold drinks, hot baths and sound sleep.

Next is the last part of the adventure (part 3) where we will explore Ouchi-juku, To-no-hetsuri and Yunokami Hot Spring Resort! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike