JR Gono Line [JR 五能線]
Train of JR Gono Line
Photo by photolibrary
JR Gono Line near the Sea of Japan
Photo by photolibrary
Map around JR Gono Line
JR Gono Line is a local railway line of East Japan Railway Company (JR East).
The route is from Kawabe station near Hirosaki through Goshogawara city, Ajigasawa town and Fukaura town, to Higashi-Noshiro in Akita Prefecture.
The total length is about 147 km.
It runs through the area with a small population, so the trains run 6 to 8 times a day in all section.
But this line is popular for tourists.
Between Ajigasawa (43 km from Kawabe) and Hachimori (125 km from Kawabe), the trains run along the coast of the Sea of Japan.
The coast line is rocky and there are only some short tunnels.
Therefore, the passengers can enjoy the nice view of wide sea for over 2 hours.
Most local trains operate until Fukaura station at the the middle point of the line.
The trains running on the north part of the line start from Hirosaki station.
And, the trains running on the south part of the line start from Higashi-noshiro station.
In addition, the rapid train "Resort Shirakami" is operated between Aomori and Akita a few services a day.
All seats of the trains are reserved.
There are a few sightseeing spots around Fukaura station.
Furo-fushi hot spring (不老ふ死温泉)
Furo-fushi Onsen
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
Sunset at Furo-fushi Onsen
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
It is a hot spring resort facing to the Sea of Japan.
It is located about 7 km southwest of Fukaura station and is near a small cape "Koganezaki".
There is outdoor bathtubs on the edge of the coast, and it is famous to watch the nice sunset over the sea with soaking in the bathtub.
There are two tubs.
One is for mixed bathing, and the other is for only women.
Of course, all visitors must take off their clothes outdoors close by the bathtubs.
These outdoor bathtubs are owned by a nearby hotel, so these are available for general visitors until 16:00.
After that, these are for only the hotel guests.
By the way, "furo-fushi" means "eternal youth and immortality".
The nearest station is "Henashi", where no station attendant is staffed.
It is the second station from Fukaura, and only local train stops there. (About 14 minutes)
It takes about 15 minutes by foot.
The next station "WeSPa-Tsubakiyama" is a resort town, and the rapid trains stop here.
The shuttle bus comes here, and the route bus goes through here.
It takes about 5 minutes.
Juniko Lakes (十二湖)
Visitor center of Juniko
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
A lake in Juniko
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
Juniko is the small lakes in beech forests, and is located about 12 km south of Fukaura station.
First vowel "u" in the word is pronounced long, so it is read as "Jûniko".
Juniko is a part in the area of Shirakami-sanchi designated World Heritage Sites.
Juniko means "twelve lakes", but there are 33 lakes in the area of about 2.5 km from east to west and 3 km from north to south in width.
It is said that they can see 12 lakes from the top of Mount Okuzure located east of this area.
The beech trees filter rain water well, so the water in each lake is very clear.
Ao-ike of Juniko
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
Nihon-canyon
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
Especially "Ao-ike" (青池) meaning "blue pond" is popular for the mysteric blue color of the water.
It is located at the northeast edge of the area.
To the west, we can see the white limestone cliffs named "Nihon-canyon" (日本キャニオン).
There is the visitor center located about 1 km west of Ao-ike.
And there are some walking trails in this area.
The route bus runs through JR Juniko station to Ao-ike.
It takes about 15 minutes.
A few buses run from WeSPa-Tsubakiyama to Ao-ike.
It takes about 40 minutes.
Shirakami-sanchi is introduced in the following page.
How to get here
By rapid train "Resort Shirakami",
About 2 hours and 10 minutes between Hirosaki and Fukaura,
About 1 hours and 10 minutes between Higashi-Noshiro and Fukaura.
By local train,
About 2 hours and 30 minutes between Hirosaki and Fukaura,
About 1 hours and 50 minutes between Higashi-Noshiro and Fukaura.
