Shinano 7
Introduction: I have visited Nagano prefecture past several years during the summer, and I am going again this year but by a train due to a request by my wife.
Leaving home at 9:45am, another sunny hot day with temperature expecting to go over 37C. The outside was already hot near 33C, and we made it to the station just a few minutes to 10:00am. Since express trains do not stop at Ozone, we had to go back toward Nagoya by one station.
The local train came on time and it was just a one hop. The train is fairly occupied so seats are full and many people are standing but not at the level which I get too close to other passengers. The air-conditioning in the car are pretty cold. So hopping out from the train cause me to sweat more.
After getting off at Chikusa, we waited for the express train, which come in time. We took seats in the car but look like a couple of foreign people were having trouble finding their seats because someone already occupying theirs. I stepped in and confirmed their tickets are good, but they did not need much of help from me to resolve the issues since the passengers sitting their seats realized the mistakes. I am glad they can travel to Matsumoto with no further issues. The cars are almost full but not completely. I bought tickets about 2 weeks in advance but maybe I could get seats today.
Shinano 7
The train sped out from Nagoya, passing Kachigawa, Kasugai and Kozoji. Since I used to live in this area, I can tell the details. The first stop was at Tajimi, then Nakatsugawa. I thought they are operating on clock but we were about 4 minutes behind when we get there. It was maybe because of precaution against the possible big earthquake which is under advisory since last week. During the travel the view from the train had a lot of green from trees and rice fields, and occasional buildings near each train stations. Taking an express train is good since local trains to Nakatsugawa usually takes 70 minutes where I can travel in 40 minutes in this way..
After arriving at Nakatsugawa, it was sunny, and hot like Nagoya. We walked out from the building and began heading east to locate the restaurant. The town had its traditional festival (Nakatsugawa Oiden Matsuri) for the last two days so today was very quiet. I see very much no tourists walking on the street. When we get there, we were the first at the store which are getting ready to open. The restaurant was very quiet all the time, we only saw a couple more people during the stay. The waiter told us today they are going to have a walk by children on the main street. She must be a local and I am glad I get to know their culture..
Buckwheat Noodles
Buckwheat noodles served were good with tempuras, my wife liked the taste of the both. so I am happy. This is our fourth time coming to this area to eat noodles during summer.
After the lunch, we stepped out and walked on Nakasendo Trail within Nakatsugawa area. This is my first time taking a tour and there are a number of old houses and shops preserved. We walked to the west end first then walked back to east end. We stopped at Suya (a famous Japanese confectionary shop established back in 1700s) for snacks, then walked into nearby grocery store to get some cool air.
Shoya Building
Kawakamiya (Another traditional Japanese confectionary brand, this one was
established in 1864)
Hazama Family Storage
We walked a few more blocks, then began heading toward the station. Come back at Nakatsugawa station, we still have a shy of 1 hour before the train comes so the souvenir stores next to the station. I picked up some items for my dad, aunt and uncle. We also found white eggplants which is a rare find. The building was opened as Daiei Nakatsugawa store back in 1977, and expected to be closed completely at year 2026.
After returning to the station, we waited for the train to come into the platform. There are many foreign people taking seats at waiting room, I just remembered that this is a gateway to Magome, a nature trail in Nakasendo. Some of them carrying big backpack decided to go back to Nagoya by taking local train. It's not impossible thing to do, just take longer but saves money. The big, dark cloud to the south moving to west is sure affecting the travel already. Again the train is about 80% occupied, not fully packed. We took seats and began the homeward bound. The train stopped at Ena, which was not on the list of stopping station on the way, and saw some rain droplets but not so severe. The train continued its way to Nagoya, making another stop at Tajimi, and soon after clearing a tunnel, the surroundings look familiar to me, I can tell we past Kozoji, Jinryo, Kasugai, Kachigawa, Shin-Moriyama then Ozone. The train arrived at Chikusa under hazy cloudy sky.
Shinano 12 at Nakatsugawa
15:02 (Chikusa) - 15:04 (Ozone)
After getting off the train, we waited for the next train back to Ozone. The climate in Nagoya is not much different from Nakatsugawa, but I guess here is slightly hotter in temperature wise, and more humid.
Walked home, took a shower and relaxed until 5:30pm. The dinner was at KFC at nearby shopping mall, wrapped up with Baskin Robin's
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