Japanese Culture in New York - Chopsticks NY

Wondering how to enjoy traveling through sub-zero weather in Japan?  Hokkaido, the northern tip of the Japanese archipelago, is proud of its untouched rich nature, and winter is the best time to see local geographic characteristics and the lifestyle that cohabits with the harsh winter weather.  Located close to Siberia, in Russia, the icy winter makes Hokkaido so distinctive for lifestyle and urban development. The uniqueness of Hokkaido’s winter tourism is reflected in Japan’s fabulous train system.  Serving Hokkaido’s sporadic population as well as keeping the excellent level of transportation in the harsh yet beautiful nature, the Japan Railway Co., Ltd. known as JR, operates a solid train system with unique ideas and services.  Here are some of the features of train travel around Hokkaido.

Norokko Train

©Japan Railways Group New York Office

You can’t miss the view of floating ice on the Okhotsk Sea if you travel to Japan in the middle of winter.  The best, and perhaps unique way to enjoy this view, is Norokko train.  This train travels the most scenic area of Hokkaido, between Shiretoko-Shari and Abashiri during the winter along the eastern coast of Hokkaido, through the magnificent winter view of floating ice on the ocean in the harsh icy Siberian weather twice a day from January 31 through March 8, 2009.  This is the only train line with a view of the floating ice, and it’s worth it to reserve ocean side seats in this four car train to enjoy the breath-taking scale of the winter Okhotsk Sea.  The train takes longer time at each station: Kushiro-Shari, Hama-Shoshimizu, Kiatahama and Abashiri.  Two out of four cars of this line have panoramic windows for the ocean view.  A reservation is recommended if you can find the train schedule in advance.  The train ride is available at about $8, and reserved seats are at extra $3. Also enjoy the classic stove that warms inside the train car.

Kitahama Station

©Japan Railways Group New York Office

This station is located the closest to the waterfront in the country, and the Norokko Train stays a little longer.  The reason is its location and the magnificent view of floating ice on the sea of Okhotsk from the adjacent observation deck.  In the sub-zero weather, the train stays in this station for longer time than usual stops, as the passengers take in the breathtaking view of the icy Okhotsk from the adjunct observation deck.  The train track is literally right by the coast line, so walk down to the snow-covered train track from the platform to enjoy the 360 degree horizon of the ocean.  Find the café inside the train station that was converted from the original station master’s office.  The wall of the waiting room is filled with business cards, greeting cards, old tickets, boarding passes that were posted by visitors from all over the world, who were impressed by this modest yet strong community cohabiting with the breathtaking nature in the harsh weather.

SL(Steam Locomotive):
the Retrospective Scenic Line through Kushiro
Kushiro, the third largest city in Hokkaido, sits next to Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park, the largest marsh in the country.  In 1980, the international accord was signed to preserve this very open landscape that accommodates a complete ecosystem among waterfowls, and remains as one of the scenic areas of Hokkaido.  The purified winter view is particularly splendid, and the seasonal scenic locomotive runs through this scenic track that was once closed in 1975.  For commemorating the development history of Hokkaido, they’re running a special locomotive train from 1940, pulling train cars with classic designs that bring everybody to the good old days.  The locomotive, known as SL in Japan, abbreviating steam locomotive, represents Japan’s unique adoption to the western technology and the days of Japan’s high spirits for advance as well as the traditional charm.  Departing from Kushiro station, this seasonal scenic locomotive runs to the area’s rich hot spring town Kawayu-Onsen station.
http://www.jrkushiro.jp/sl09/sl09g.html

Kawayu-Onsen Station
Natural hot springs are the gift of Japan’s volcanic geography and Hokkaido houses several of them.  Among them, Kawayu-Onsen springs are known for rich sulfur water that treats muscle relief and chronic skin problems.  The gateway to this popular hot springs in the vast open eastern Hokkaido is the Kawayu-Onsen train station, which welcomes visitors with its own characteristics.   Stepping inside the small wooden station built in 1936, there is a cozy footbath with the local natural spring water, where people can relieve their stress from the long trip or just warm themselves up while waiting for the train.  Although this station is not attended by a full-time station master, the charming Orchard Grass Restaurant serves fabulous beef stew and great coffee to locals and visitors passing through.  Other than the hot springs, Kawayu-Onsen station serves Hokkaido’s beautiful lakes of Mashuko and Kussharoko.

——– Nori Akashi: Public Relations Manager at the New York Office of JNTO