Akita is for train lovers

Group tour to Akita for 3 days! Here we go!

Day 1: We flew from Haneda Airport (Tokyo) to Odate-Noshiro Airport (Akita). Arrival time was 1415, still plenty of daylight for adventure! At Odate-Noshiro our tour guide ushered us into a bus and we headed for Aniai Train Station.

This will be the first of 3 local trains we will ride on this trip. Our guide is at the train stations ticket counter getting our tickets for us. 

Our train has arrived and we head out to the platform to get onboard this small (only 2 cars) local train. 

One of the members of our group gets comfortable while we wait for the train to start moving. BTW, there are only 9 members in our group. Because the tour was modified due to damage to roads and train tracks caused by heavy rains earlier in the month, some people canceled on the tour. I don't mind, I like small groups.

The train travels through forests and over rivers. I took this picture from the window of the train.

As the Sun started to go down on the horizon we arrived at Ani-Matagi station. This station is just a small one-room waiting room. We were met at the station by a hotel shuttle bus.  We stayed at "Utto Onsen Matagi-no-Yu" for the night: website here http://www.mataginoyu.com/

Day 2: After checking out of the hotel we boarded a tour bus and went for a lovely drive in the country. We stopped for lunch at Kazuno Michino Eki  https://antlerkazuno.com/ . After lunch we went to Hachimantai Train Station to catch another local train. That's me in front of the station.

And, that's Emi!

Waiting for the train to arrive. This station is out in the middle of nowhere.

Here comes the train!

A member of our group sits comfortably watching to world go by as the train moves through forests and over rivers. His wife is standing at the front of the train for a better view. This is a great way to travel.

We have arrived at Arayashimmachi station where we will board another tour bus.

The train heads off into the distance as we move on in another direction.

The front of Arayashimmachi station.

Next stop is the Hirosaki Castle Park. The water in the castle moat is a little stagnant. 

There is some major reconstruction going on here. Many of the stone walls are being fixed.

However, the grounds surrounding the castle are peaceful and the walk is very enjoyable. 

In this part of the park the moat is full of Lotus flowers.

Just a short walk from the Castle park is the Hanawabayashi parade float display room.

This place is full of colorful floats used in the Hanawabayashi parade. 

The parade is supposed to be a major cultural event, the floats are amazing!

Emi is checking things out.

There's also a small Japanese garden complete with Koi pond here too! 

Day 3: We spent the previous night here at Furofushi Onsen Hotel:  http://www.furofushi.com/ 

This Onsen "Hot Spring" is one of the most famous in Japan. Do not be fooled by this picture of the entrance. The seaside outdoor hot bath is a major destination for Onsen lovers. There are strict restrictions on photography here hence I have no pictures of the inside and outside of the hotel other than the entrance. We had an amazing overnight stay here; it's a real bucket list sort of place.

After checking out of the hotel we rode the tour bus along the beautiful rocky coast. We were supposed to ride a train along this coast but because of damage from heavy rain we used a bus. They say it'll take a few months to get all the damage repaired. I'd like to come back when the train is running again. This is a view from the bus window.

Next stop: Tsuru no Mai Hashi Bridge! 

https://www.en-tsuruta.com/spot/sightseeing/tsurunomaibridge.html

In the distance is Mt. Iwaki.

It's a walking bridge made from local wood. Lovely atmosphere here.

I showed up to spoil the view!

Can you believe it! We're going to ride another train!

We have arrived here,  O-machi,Goshogawara, to catch our last train of the tour.

Other than the train station it doesn't look like much else is happening in this town. 

Tsugaru Goshogawara Station

Some internet information on this train can be found here:

http://www.tsugarunavi.jp/en/detail/03_004_goshogawara_a.html

We all get on board. Our guide is in the background making sure everyone is here. Nobody gets left behind!

The train is moving and I'm taking pictures through the window.

The train travels through lush green rice fields.

A junker on the side of the tracks.

End of the line, everybody out!

Next stop: Nakamachi district, Kuroishi City. 

We came here for lunch at the Kurayoshi Restaurant and after eating we had some free time so we went for a walk.

Old town atmosphere. 

Hey! They have a Sake brewery in the center of town, how very convenient!

This is an old public bath house converted to a tourist attraction. The tree in front is over 300 years old.

Inside the bath house we discover... a bath!

Emi checks out the 300 year old tree.

Sadly, most of the town is out-of-business. This was an old Kimono shop.

Well, this was the end of a fantastic 3 day group tour. Taking one look back as our bus dives out of town and heads for the airport.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

Bonus shots!