Stopping at the modern looking Tazawako Station building before our onward journey to Lake Tazawa, waiting for our bus to Tazawakohan, we passed time by walking around the rather cool looking Tazawako station. At this station, there is a modern, well-quipped tourist centre.We spent a bit of time here, looking at photos of the area that was on exhibit and looking through local crafts that were put up there, especially the dragons on display. And at the tourist centre, there's even free internet service, if you need to be online . So cool!
The station building, with its very modern building with glass facade, even received the Good Design Prize. Walk around the tourist centre for more information on the area. Tazawako Station was also selected to be one of the Hundred Stations of Tohoku.
A cute illustrated map of the region and its attraction. While we were there, we saw a few cyclists getting ready for their onward journey. It would be so cool to cycle around the area. A car rental service is available nearby should you want to drive around yourself.
The surrounding area was a bit quiet. There were stores around and a pharmacy but if you are looking for a convenience store, you have to travel a bit to find one. Our advise, buy your stuff before you reach this station.
After spending some time walking around the station, checking out some stores there while we were at it, our bus arrived.
A complete change from taking a bus here in Malaysia, buses in Japan were highly punctual and the drivers are all courteous and polite. Helpful too, I might add.
Taking a bus in Japan might test the patience of us Malaysians though. The bus (those few that we've been on, at least) never speed (felt like they were always on a 30km/h) and always always stop at the designated bus stop if there were people waiting there. You don't have to flag for the bus because the buses will always stop for you.
Buses are always clean, and taking this bus to our journey for Taenoyu Onsen were stress free because we didn't have to second guess our stop. There were announcements upon reaching each stop so you won't accidentally stopped too early or a stop too far from your destination. I wish the RapidKL buses (and the Metro buses too) had these features.
How do you know how much to pay? Just look at the board and the fares will be displayed there for each corresponding stop.
Don't have small change with you to pay the fares? Don't worry, there's a note changing machine on the bus, just beside the slot where you pay for your fare. It can even change a 10,000yen note!
A note for those staying at Tsurunoyu Onsen. If you have arranged beforehand for a pickup at Arupa Komakusa, don't worry about needing to look for your pickup there. When the bus arrived at the Arupa Komakusa stop, your car (or van) and the driver is already waiting for you and you actually drove away before the bus do! That's service!
On our trip back, Raimie being a bit rebellious and sulky, pressed the bell while we were halfway on our way back to Tazawako Station. I guess if this happen back home, I would just pretend ignorance (so bad of me, kan?) but I just had to apologise to the bus driver (especially as I think he would have waited for someone to disembark) and the rest of the passengers. Luckily nobody glared at us. Phew!
From Tazawako Station, we travelled to Sendai then Koriyama before taking a Rapid Train to Aizu-Wakamatsu for our next adventure. Stay tuned.
And bye-bye Nyuto Onsen and Tazawako! Perhaps we'll come back next year.
The surrounding area was a bit quiet. There were stores around and a pharmacy but if you are looking for a convenience store, you have to travel a bit to find one. Our advise, buy your stuff before you reach this station.
After spending some time walking around the station, checking out some stores there while we were at it, our bus arrived.
A complete change from taking a bus here in Malaysia, buses in Japan were highly punctual and the drivers are all courteous and polite. Helpful too, I might add.Taking a bus in Japan might test the patience of us Malaysians though. The bus (those few that we've been on, at least) never speed (felt like they were always on a 30km/h) and always always stop at the designated bus stop if there were people waiting there. You don't have to flag for the bus because the buses will always stop for you.
Buses are always clean, and taking this bus to our journey for Taenoyu Onsen were stress free because we didn't have to second guess our stop. There were announcements upon reaching each stop so you won't accidentally stopped too early or a stop too far from your destination. I wish the RapidKL buses (and the Metro buses too) had these features.How do you know how much to pay? Just look at the board and the fares will be displayed there for each corresponding stop.
Don't have small change with you to pay the fares? Don't worry, there's a note changing machine on the bus, just beside the slot where you pay for your fare. It can even change a 10,000yen note!A note for those staying at Tsurunoyu Onsen. If you have arranged beforehand for a pickup at Arupa Komakusa, don't worry about needing to look for your pickup there. When the bus arrived at the Arupa Komakusa stop, your car (or van) and the driver is already waiting for you and you actually drove away before the bus do! That's service!
On our trip back, Raimie being a bit rebellious and sulky, pressed the bell while we were halfway on our way back to Tazawako Station. I guess if this happen back home, I would just pretend ignorance (so bad of me, kan?) but I just had to apologise to the bus driver (especially as I think he would have waited for someone to disembark) and the rest of the passengers. Luckily nobody glared at us. Phew!
From Tazawako Station, we travelled to Sendai then Koriyama before taking a Rapid Train to Aizu-Wakamatsu for our next adventure. Stay tuned.
And bye-bye Nyuto Onsen and Tazawako! Perhaps we'll come back next year.
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