Kawanehoncho 川根本町
Trains and dreams
Known by all Japanese tea lovers as one of the three best mountain tea production areas in the archipelago, the small town of Kawanehonchô, in Shizuoka Prefecture, is located in the deep and green valley of the Oi River. Discover a unique natural setting, bordered by the high peaks of the Southern Alps.
A small cup of tea ?
The city, which is 94% covered by luxurious forests, belongs to the perimeter of the biosphere reserve at the tip of the Southern Alps; a natural area preserved and certified in 2014 by Unesco. International recognition of the inestimable natural value of Kawanehonchô's environment and biodiversity! This environment is also one of the reasons why the region produces one of the best mountain teas in all of Japan. Tea culture has flourished in Kawanehonchô since the beginning of the Meiji era (1868-1912). The climate, the high quality of the water from the surrounding mountains and the altitude which reduces the sunshine bring freshness and fragrance to this high quality and world famous sencha tea. teahouses in the city to discover this tea which is the pride of the local population. As for the natural hot water springs that spring from the southern Alps, they are known to have beneficial and softening properties for the skin.
Read: Sencha tea
Everybody on the bridge !
In the heart of the Oigawa Valley, Lake Yume no tsuribashi or "bridge of dreams" spans the magnificent emerald green Oma Dam Lake. According to legend, if you pray for love in the middle of the bridge, it will quickly knock on your door! This 96-meter-long suspension bridge, located 8 meters above the void, is sure to give cold sweats to acrophobes! They will still be able to admire the beauty of the place from an observation deck located just before the bridge. Appreciable in any season, the view becomes breathtaking once autumn comes. And the
The Bridge of Dreams or Yume no Tsuribashi
Morigen
visitors are not mistaken. They flock during the kōyō to appreciate the reflection of the glowing leaves on the surface of the water. From the car park, access by the somewhat steep path then by the staircase of more than 300 steps thus goes from 40 to 120 minutes! It is true that the bridge of dreams cannot accommodate more than 10 people at a time for security reasons. To hope to avoid the crowds, prefer a visit in the morning and arm yourself with hiking shoes and a lot of patience. Finding true love is something you deserve!
Trains like no other
The region is served by totally unusual trains from the Oigawa Railway Company; each offering views of the lake, surrounding mountains and tea fields. Climb aboard one of these trains connecting Kanaya to Senzu. There is something for every taste. No chance of falling asleep, lulled by the rolling of the train, so breathtaking are the landscapes! The steam trains hauled by locomotives from the 1930s are an opportunity to take a short trip in a retro atmosphere. Inside the carriages, the wooden seats and furniture transport you back to the 1950s. When the locomotives
The crossing of the artificial lake can be done on foot or by train
http://www.town.kawanehon.shizuoka.jp
Steam trains offer a little trip down memory lane
katorisi
Thomas the little train takes you to discover Kawanehoncho
ウツダー
whistle from the Sekizawa Bridge, the highest railway bridge in the country , nostalgia seizes you. A second choice, particularly attractive for families, is available to you: make the connection aboard Thomas the Little Train. This train bearing the image of the iconic character from the British animated series, who became the star of Japanese children, has been in service since 2014.
The Ikawa Line abt train is a cogwheel train capable of climbing the steep slopes of the valley. The only train of this type in the archipelago, it serves Okuoikojo station, which is just as unique. Opened in 1990, it is installed on the cliff of a small islet in the middle of the lake. Connected to the land by its red rainbow bridge, this simple platform is like levitating above the water. It alone deserves a short stopover. You can relax in the rest chalet located a little higher for about an hour before seeing the next train pass. The more sporty can reach the next station on foot (1h30 walk) by taking the pedestrian walkway of the rainbow bridge then a steep path.
See also:The most original tourist trains
Cultural specificity
The very steep mountainous environment having hampered cultural exchanges with neighboring regions in ancient times, Kawanehonchô benefits from a unique cultural heritage . Its folk arts and folklore are particularly distinctive to the point of seeing several local traditions designated as part of the country's intangible folk heritage. Among them, the umezu kagura is a traditional Shinto ceremony over 500 years old . Combining music and dance, it is held every year on the 3rd Saturday of January. In mid-August, in the middle of summer, dancers, some of whom in deer costumes, perform the Tokuyama no bon odori dance at the Asama shrine, a mixture of kyogen , dance and song.
Tokuyama no bon odori dance
Hahangahanzo
Address, timetable & access
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Address
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Phone
+81 547-56-1111 -
Timetable
From Shizuoka, take the JR Tokaido line to Kanaya (35 min) then the Oigawa line to Tanokuchi.
