The Train The Train

I was lucky enough to be going south and to do so I was flying from Chitose. Since a friend was going the next day but coming back the same day I decided to catch the train. I jumped on at Kutchan since service is more regular there than Niseko. The journey was relaxing and a great change to the drive that I would have usually done. The train crosses the mountain pass from Kutchan to Yoichi on a different route than the road allowing me to see a different part of Japan, beautiful forested mountains, small countryside train stations and rice paddys. After stopping at Yoichi the train follows the coast most of the way into Sapporo passing through Otaru. Since I had time I had decided to jump off in Sapporo and grab sushi for lunch and meet a friend for coffee before continuing the journey on the airport express train. I have lived in Nieko for about 1 year now and in Hokkaido for about 5 and this was the first time I had caught a train long distance in Hokkaido and definitely won't be the last. For those with a little more time on their hand and a love of steam engines JR runs the Autumn SL Niseko train form mid-September to the beginning of November on the some route. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/turu/page/sl/c11niseko/index2.htm

Shakotan Coast

Otaru Coast