Destination - Onogawa Onsen!

 Onogawa Onsen is a small hot-spring resort town in Yamagata prefecture. To get there we took a train to Tokyo and transferred to a Shinkansen Bullet train. We rode the Bullet train to Yonezawa train station in Yamagata prefecture where we were picked up by our hotel's free shuttle bus. From the train station to the hotel was a pleasant 20 minute drive. After checking in we did a little shopping in town for some snacks and drinks to consume in our room then we returned to the hotel to enjoy a soak in their wonderful hot-spring bath followed by a fantastic diner and then it was time for lights out - end of day one.

Day 2: After breakfast I went for a walk around Onogawa and Emi rode the hotel's shuttle bus back to Yonezawa to visit some museums.

Walking along the Otaru river.

Passing by a frozen rice field.

A small waterfall in the Otaru river.

As one can see, Onogawa Onsen is in the middle of nowhere. 

As I walked around it would suddenly start snowing.

And, then it would stop and the Sun would shine. This is the backside of another Hot-spring hotel.

I crossed to the other side of the river to visit the Onogawamachi Hotaru Park.

There are two natural hot-springs in the park.

Continuing my walk around the village.

Back in the center of the town. The dark building on the left is our hotel. The building on the right side of the picture is a liquor store; very convenient. 

Close to our hotel there is also a shop that sells local products.

Next I crossed back over the river and walked up the hill to visit the Kinoene Daikokuten Buddhist Temple. To get to the temple I have to pass by the Onogawa Onsen Hoju no Yu lodge (building in the center of this picture).

Approaching the Kinoene Daikokuten Buddhist Temple.

Like all Buddhist Temples this place is very peaceful and quiet. 

Crossing back over the Otaru river and heading into town.

A local ramen shop. The two little black dots in the middle of the road are a couple of cats just strolling around doing as they please.

Third day: time to check out and start our journey back home.

While Emi was taking care of our hotel check-out I stepped outside to take a picture of the hotel's shuttle bus.

When I went back inside I took this picture of the front desk. My camera lens fogged up a little bit because of the change in temperatures from outside to inside; I kind of liked the effect it had on the picture.

On the way from the hotel back to the Yonezawa train station we got off the shuttle a little bit early to visit the Uesugi Shrine.

Emi is approaching the main shrine.

Next a group of female athletes approached the shrine.  

They bowed and prayed... presumable to be successful in whatever sport they are members of. 

Afterwards they all looked happy and cheerful!

This must be a security pigeon keeping an eye on everyone that visits the shrine.

Next to the Uesugi Shine is the Yonezawa City Uesugi Museum. So, of course we visited there too! Inside the museum is a Noh theater stage.

While we were there a man and a young boy were on the stage practicing. It was fun to listen to them, they were very good!

Time to start walking to the train station.

We have arrived at the Yonezawa train station.

It's a nice station.

Standing out on the platform waiting for our bullet train.

This is a local train passing through.

This is our train!

Once inside all the passengers are putting their bags into the overhead shelf and getting settled in their seats.

Last shot: Now we're underway heading back to Tokyo.  This is the passenger on the other side of the aisle. She's wired for sound and happily clicking away on her PC.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

   

Destination - Kusatsu Onsen! (part 2)

 The last day! In the morning I took another picture from the window in our room... more snow! And, it's still snowing.

After breakfast we stayed in our room until we had to check out. Then we staeted our walk to the Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal.

This is not fun but neither of us complain. We're tough! 💪

We have reached Yubatake in the center of the town. We're halfway to the bus terminal.

Despite the heavy snow tourist are everywhere and people are already lining up to see the show at Netsu-no-yu.

Emi doesn't mind the weather, it's all part of the journey for her. 

This road leads to the bus terminal. 

Newcomers are arriving as we're leaving.

So many of the visitors are young couples.

Emi fears nothing. She marches past the taxi and up the hill.

Passing by a local products and souvenir shop.

After we arrived at the bus terminal we still needed to kill an hour before we could get on the express bus for the train station. So, we went to the third floor of the terminal where there is a public library. 

It's a nice public library! Emi read manga and I looked at magazines. 

The view from the library window.

The time went by quickly and soon we got in line for the Express bus. The line was very long and it took 4 buses to handle all the passengers.

This is our bus.

It took about 30 minutes to get to Naganohara Kusatsuguchi Station.

This place is busy! We had to wait for all the incoming train passengers to get through the gate before we could go out to the platform and board our train. 

At last we got through the wicket and out to the platform. Now it's time to enjoy a nice train ride through the snowy countryside on our way home! 

The End.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike