Enjoy the scenery along the Sea of ​​Japan! Resort Shirakami Trip [Akita/Aomori]

There's a local train line that runs along the Sea of ​​Japan coast in Akita and Aomori prefectures, offering stunning views of the Sea of ​​Japan and the World Heritage site of Shirakami Mountains from the train windows.
Thatthe JR Gonō Line,
"local train line you should ride at least once."which is gaining popularity nationwide as a

And there's also a sightseeing train that lets you fully enjoy the Gono Line.
That's the"Resort Shirakami.
the "Resort Shirakami"so enjoyable, how to ride the train, and some of the attractive spots along the line.

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What is "Resort Shirakami"?

The "Resort Shirakami"is a sightseeing train operated by JR East.
It runs from Akita Station to Aomori Station or Hirosaki Station via the Gono Line. There
are up to three round trips per day, which is a relatively high number for a sightseeing train.
Furthermore, it operates almost every day from April to November, including weekdays, indicating its popularity. During
the winter, it mainly operates on weekends.

the "Resort Shirakami" trainallows you to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Gono Line from a train with excellent views, and various events such as shamisen performances are also offered on board.
It's a train that makes a trip along the Gono Line incredibly enjoyable.

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How to ride the Resort Shirakami?

Resort Shirakami operating times and days

Here are the operating days and times for the "Resort Shirakami" train (information as of March 16, 2024).
With up to three round trips per day, you can use it to suit your sightseeing schedule.

• Resort Shirakami No. 1
  departs Akita Station at 8:19 and arrives at Aomori Station at 13:34. It operates mainly on weekends during the winter season
  冬季（12月～3月頃）は週末を中心に運転、冬季以外はほぼ毎日運転
• Resort Shirakami No. 3
  departs Akita Station at 10:50 and arrives at Hirosaki Station at 15:50. Operates on most days except during winter.
  冬季以外の大半の日に運転
• Resort Shirakami No. 5
  departs Akita Station at 14:00 and arrives at Aomori Station at 19:38. It operates mainly on weekends during the winter season
  冬季は週末を中心に運転、冬季以外はほぼ毎日運転
• Resort Shirakami No. 2
  departs Aomori Station at 8:09 and arrives at Akita Station at 13:29. It operates mainly on weekends during the winter season
  冬季は週末を中心に運転、冬季以外はほぼ毎日運転
• Resort Shirakami No. 4
  departs Aomori Station at 13:52 and arrives at Akita Station at 19:01. Operates mainly on weekends during winter
  冬季は週末を中心に運転、冬季以外はほぼ毎日運転
• Resort Shirakami No. 6:
  Departs Hirosaki Station at 16:06 → Arrives Akita Station at 20:42. Operates on most days except during winter.
  冬季以外の大半の日に運転

Along the way, the train stops at major stations such as Higashi-Noshiro, Noshiro, Goshogawara, Hirosaki, and Shin-Aomori, as well as stations convenient for visiting tourist spots such as Akita Shirakami, Juniko, Wespa Tsubakiyama, and Senjojiki.
The stations that stop may vary slightly depending on the train, so please check the website or timetable for details.

How to purchase tickets

In.All seats on the "Resort Shirakami" train are reserved seats in ordinary classaddition
to a regular ticket, a reserved seat ticket is required to board the train.
Reserved seat tickets can be purchased at JR station"Midori no Madoguchi")(reserved seat ticket machines, JR East's online reservation service"Ekinet," and majortravel agenciescannot be reserved
at reserved seat ticket machines or "Ekinet").

The fare fortravel between Akita and Aomori is 4,510 yen for the basic fare ticket and 840 yen for the reserved seat ticket, totaling 5,350 yen.
For travel between Akita and Hirosaki, the fare is 4,070 yen for the basic fare ticket and 840 yen for the reserved seat ticket, totaling 4,910 yen.
(Generally, JR reserved seat ticket prices vary depending on the season, but for the "Resort Shirakami," the price is 840 yen year-round.)
You can experience a sightseeing train journey at a relatively reasonable price.

Since the "Resort Shirakami" is a rapid train, you can use tickets like the "Seishun 18 Ticket," which cannot be used on limited express trains, and you can ride it if you purchase a reserved seat ticket.
In addition, some travel agencies sell tours that include a ride on the "Resort Shirakami."

Seating

The "Resort Shirakami" train offersregular seats facing the direction of travelandbox seats recommended for groups.
Car 2 has box seats, while cars 1, 3, and 4 have regular seats.

The "Resort Shirakami" train reverses direction at Higashi-Noshiro Station in Akita Prefecture and Hirosaki Station in Aomori Prefecture during its journey.
When traveling along the Gono Line, car 1 becomes the lead car for trains bound for Aomori and Hirosaki, and car 4 becomes the lead car for trains bound for Akita.
In addition, among the regular seats A through D, seat A is the seat closest to the Sea of ​​Japan on the Gono Line.
If you want to fully enjoy the scenery from the train, please keep this in mind when reserving your seat.

Three types of formations

As already mentioned, the "Resort Shirakami" is a popular sightseeing train, with up to three round trips per day, and three different train sets are used.
These arethe "Buna (beech) set,blue pond) set,the "Kumagera (woodpecker) set."called
Which set will be used is announced in advance on the JR East website (*), so if you have a specific set in mind, you should check it out.

*The schedule may be subject to sudden changes on the day of operation

Attractive spot

Here, we introduce various spots that will make your trip on the "Resort Shirakami" even more enjoyable.
By the way, what we're introducing here is only a "small" selection.
There are still many more attractive spots along the Gono Line!

Senjojiki Coast

Senjojiki, located in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, is a rocky beach formed by an earthquake in 1792 (Kansei 4).
As its name suggests, it features a vast expanse of rocky ledges.
It can be reached in just one minute on foot from Senjojiki Station.
The Resort Shirakami trains No. 2, 3, 4, and 5 stop at Senjojiki Station for 15 minutes, allowing you to stroll along the Senjojiki coast during the stop.

INFORMATION

• Name: Senjojiki Coast
• Location: Kitakanegasawa, Fukaura-machi, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Inquiry number: 0173-74-4412 (Fukaura Town Tourism Division)
• URL:Senjojiki Coast

Google Maps

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Furofushi Onsen

Furofushi Onsen is located at the tip of Koganezaki, a coastal promontory in Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture.
gourd-shaped open-air bath that blends seamlessly with the coastlineIt is famous for its
The distance to the sea is only about 1 meter, and there is nothing to obstruct the view.
At sunset, as the name Koganezaki (Golden Cape) suggests, the entire area is bathed in a golden glow, offering a breathtaking view that seems otherworldly.
For access, a shuttle bus operates from Wespa Tsubakiyama Station, where the "Resort Shirakami" train stops (reservations required).

INFORMATION

• Name: Furofushi Onsen
• Address: 15 Shimokiyotaki, Oaza, Katsukura, Fukaura-machi, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Inquiry number: 0173-74-3500
• Opening hours: 9:00-16:00 (for day trips to the open-air beach baths, as of February 2024)
• URL　Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen

Google Maps

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Kizukuri Station and the Jomon Dwellings Museum Karuko

The station building of Kizukuri Station in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture, a stop on the "Resort Shirakami" train line, is unique, with a giant clay figurine motif adorning its exterior wall.
Thisthe "Kamegaoka Stone Age Site."is modeled after a clay figurine unearthed from
which is registered as a World Heritage Sitethe "Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku,"is one of the sites that make up

A 15-minute walk from Kizukuri Station is the Karuko Jomon Dwellings Museum, which displays artifacts excavated from ruins in Tsugaru City, such as the Kamegaoka Stone Age ruins

INFORMATION

• Name: Jomon Dwellings Exhibition Museum Karuko
• Address: 59-1 Kizukuri Wakamidori, Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture
• Inquiry number: 0173-42-6490
• Business hours: 9:00-16:00
• Closed on Mondays, the day after a public holiday (if that day is also a public holiday, the museum will be open and closed the following weekday), and New Year's holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)
• URL　Jomon Dwelling Exhibition Museum Karuko

Google Maps

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Basketball on the platform at Noshiro Station

Noshiro City in Akita Prefecture isNoshiro Technical High School (now Akita Prefectural Noshiro Science and Technology High School)known as a basketball town, home to
When the Resort Shirakami train stops at Noshiro Station, try shooting a basketball into the hoop on the platform (available on some trains only).

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twelve lakes

"Jūniko"is the collective name for several lakes and marshes located in a corner of the Shirakami Mountains.
The lakes have excellent water quality and are surrounded by beech forests, resulting in beautiful scenery.
The relaxing effects of forest bathing are also recognized.
Buses to Jūniko are operated to coincide with the times when some "Resort Shirakami" trains stop at Jūniko Station.

INFORMATION

• Name: Juniko Visitor Center
• Location: Matsukamiyama National Forest, 82nd Forest Section, Matsukami-aza, Fukaura-machi, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Inquiry number: 0173-77-2138
• Opening hours: 8:30-16:00 (closed in winter)
• Opening days: April 1st to November 30th (closed from December to the end of March)
• URL　Juniko no Mori

Google Maps

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The train itself is fun to ride

The "Resort Shirakami" train offers more than just sightseeing along the route.
The time spent on board is also designed to be enjoyable.
where locals board the train to sell specialty products only available locally"local sales"includingTsugaru shamisen performances,Tsugaru dialect storytelling demonstrations,traditional Tsugaru puppet showsandlive. Please note
that the dates and trains on which these events are held are limited, so please check the JR East website in advance.

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summary

The Gono Line, widely regarded as a local line worth riding at least once, boasts numerous attractive spots.
for exploring these fascinating locations, or for enjoying the spectacularthe "Resort Shirakami"is the perfect sightseeing train
views of the Sea of ​​Japan and interacting with locals on board. When traveling to the Tohoku region, we highly recommend considering a trip along the Sea of ​​Japan coast on the "Resort Shirakami" as one of your options.

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